🐾 UNCAGED - ISSUE #5: Roadside Zoos at Baby Animal Days: The Hidden Cost of Cute
Both featured zoos have histories of USDA citations and exploit wild animals for profit under the guise of education.
🔎 TODAY’S FOCUS
The American West Heritage Center recently partnered with two of the worst-rated roadside zoos in the country—Utah Petting Zoo and Yellowstone Bear World—during its “Baby Animal Days” event.
At first glance, this family-friendly event seems harmless. But behind the scenes, it’s a money-making scheme built on the backs of wild animals, who are forced into high-stress, unnatural interactions with crowds, noise, and flashing cameras.
Both facilities have long histories of animal exploitation, neglect, and USDA citations.
🦝 THE TRUTH ABOUT THESE ROADSIDE ZOOS
🔹 Utah Petting Zoo has been documented for keeping animals in unsanitary enclosures and allowing unsafe public interactions.
🔹 Yellowstone Bear World is known for pulling cubs from their mothers to use in photo ops — a traumatic, unnatural practice that damages their development.
🔹 These animals are often handled by the public all day, even when they show signs of stress or exhaustion.
After the “cute” phase ends, many animals are locked away, neglected, or dumped at other roadside facilities. These events are not educational — they’re exploitative entertainment.
✊ WHAT YOU CAN DO
Visit Take Action! to tell the American West Heritage Center to cut ties with these abusive exhibitors permanently.
Support true sanctuaries and ethical education programs, not cruel roadside zoos that treat wild animals like props.
💬 QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Education is not showing a child a tiger on a leash. It’s teaching them why that tiger should be free.”
— Unknown
Thank you for your support; every action you take helps bring us closer to a world where no animal has to suffer for human profit.
Until all cages are empty,
– The Uncaged Team