Just over a week after West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon made headlines for appalling animal neglect and the seizure of over 300 animals, the story has taken an even more shocking turn. New evidence reveals that the park may have been a hub for serious criminal operations, including narcotics trafficking, illegal weapons possession, and financial crimes.
Initially, authorities focused on the park's horrendous animal care. Investigators found malnourished big cats, unsanitary living conditions, and even a dead tiger stored in a freezer. In total, 310 animals were seized and relocated to accredited sanctuaries and veterinary facilities after a four-day search led by the Oregon State Police (OSP) and wildlife agencies.
But now, according to the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team and reported by KATU, the operation uncovered far more than expected. During the raid, investigators seized:
- 80 grams of methamphetamine
- 8 grams of cocaine
- 44 firearms, including one illegally modified into a fully automatic weapon
- Over $1.6 million in cash, cashier’s checks, and bonds.
Investigators now suspect that the park may have served as a front for a range of illicit operations. This revelation adds an entirely new layer to the case, turning a story of animal neglect into a multi-agency criminal investigation involving narcotics enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
By the time investigators cleared the property late on May 18, the park had transformed from a rural attraction into a crime scene that spanned multiple jurisdictions.
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OSP has confirmed that criminal charges are being prepared, though no formal arrests have been announced yet. The sheer scale of the seizure has shocked local residents and animal rights advocates alike, many of whom had complained for years about the park’s troubling conditions.
PETA and other organizations had long called for the park’s shutdown, citing numerous violations and inadequate staffing. Those warnings now appear to have been not only warranted, but alarmingly understated.
The full scope of the park’s criminal activity is still under investigation, but one thing is now clear: what was marketed as a family-friendly wildlife experience has unraveled into one of Oregon’s most disturbing scandals in recent memory.
For more information on the investigation and animal welfare efforts, visit Oregon State Police and Oregon Humane Society
