Hundreds of animals were rescued from a roadside zoo in eastern Iowa on Monday.
The Animal Rescue League (ARL) said the animals at Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester were living in "deplorable conditions."
The ARL says workers rescued a range of animals including two black bears, three cavies, four skunks, three coyotes, multiple raccoons, a wallaby and three baboons, as well as numerous rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, rats, fish and birds. Among the birds are finches, parakeets and pigeons. The group posted pictures of some of the rescued animals on their website.
The ARL said it will also be bringing three cats, 33 rats, 27 mice, 11 raccoons, five miniature horses, three donkeys, fish, pigs, and possibly additional animals back to its location in Des Moines for treatment, rehabilitation, and eventual adoption or sanctuary placement.
The animals were removed following a ruling by an Iowa District Court judge in November that determined Cricket Hollow Zoo had chronically neglected the animals. The lawsuit is the third filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund against Cricket Hollow Zoo and has effectively shut the zoo down.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Wild Animal Sanctuary and additional partnering organizations assisted in the rescue.
(Photos: Animal League Defense Fund)