House Bill 3531 Affirms T.I.G.E.R.S. Myrtle Beach Safari Among Nation’s Top Wildlife Preserves.
After several years of discussion and review, the South Carolina General Assembly has passed wildlife legislation designed to protect the public against any potential safety risks. In addition, the bill protects critical conservation efforts as well as the welfare of vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species. The bill now heads to Gov. McMaster for signature, with an effective date of January 1, 2018.
House Bill 3531 has particular economic significance and impact on the Myrtle Beach area. The legislation cited T.I.G.E.R.S. Myrtle Beach Safari as one of the nation’s preeminent wildlife preserves, while also being a top tourist attraction and an interactive educational experience, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually and playing a substantial role supporting the local economy of the Myrtle Beach area.
The bill also noted the critical role that qualified, captive breeding programs play in the conservation of threatened and endangered species. These animal ambassadors also have a vital role in generating millions of dollars to support international conservation efforts of threatened and endangered species.
“We applaud and thank Gov. McMaster and the General Assembly for strengthening regulations to protect our endangered wildlife,” stated Doc Antle, founder and director of T.I.G.E.R.S. Myrtle Beach Safari. “Protecting and conserving rare and endangered species is the core foundation of what we do each and every day. We are very confident that this legislation will do so much to protect the public while also ensuring the safety of our wildlife.”
Doc Antle is widely recognized as one of the foremost animal trainers in the world, having worked with thousands of animals and traveled the globe promoting the education and conservation of some of our planet’s rarest and most endangered species. T.I.G.E.R.S. Myrtle Beach Safari and the Rare Species Fund are fully devoted and committed to educating the community and protecting endangered species such big cats, non-native bears, and great apes.
Once signed by Gov. McMaster, the new law prohibits unqualified persons from possessing or trading in big cats, non-native bears, and great apes. There are exemptions for zoos, circuses, animal control, wildlife authorities, universities, and veterinary hospitals. Qualified businesses and conservation efforts licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be permitted, with grandfathering exemptions granted under conditions of registration.
To learn more about T.I.G.E.R.S. and Myrtle Beach Safari, please visit www.MyrtleBeachSafari.com.
About TIGERS:
The TIGERS Myrtle Beach Safari is home to more than 130 wild animals, including 60 big cats. The animals here are center stage in this fully interactive, hands-on experience, where you can cuddle up to tiger cubs, join the wolf pack, share a laugh with our apes, witness adult tigers running at full speed, and feed Bubbles, our African elephant. Plus, this is the only place in the world where you can meet the liger, the world’s largest big cat weighing in at more than 900 pounds. Go ahead, reach out and touch the jungle and create a lifetime of memories.
Photo & Video Assets for TIGERS:
https://myrtlebeachsafari.com/media/media-library/
