Overview
- Ventura County Superior Court approved a stipulated judgment on Nov. 18 imposing a permanent injunction prohibiting Born to Be Free from possessing restricted species without a valid Restricted Species Permit.
- The financial order totals $50,435, including $40,000 to reimburse CDFW for investigative and relocation costs, a $10,000 civil penalty, and a $435 court filing fee.
- All restricted animals were seized on May 21–22 and relocated to licensed sanctuaries across the country, several accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
- Officials said a March 18 consent inspection documented African lions, leopards, a lion–tiger hybrid, a leopard–tiger hybrid, warthogs, a serval, a fishing cat, a European brown bear, and a wolf–dog hybrid.
- Prosecutors reported owner Rhea Gardner accepted animal transfers before incorporating on March 3 and believed a former permit covered the animals, though California’s Restricted Species Permits are non-transferable.