Several animals seized from Kentucky Wildlife Center

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Three otters and six raccoons were seized after the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department says they were being held illegally at the KY Wildlife Center.

A complaint made in June is what sparked an investigation. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife says their game wardens visited the owner to follow up on the concern.

According to the Kentucky Wildlife Center’s website, it was founded in 2006 by Karen Bailey.

At the center, they say they help save as many animals as possible while also providing community outreach opportunities such as tours, educational programs and rehabilitator training.

Their website says their goal is when the animals are rehabilitated, they are released back into the wild.

On Thursday, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources said they acted on the complaint made in June regarding the welfare of the animals at the center under Bailey’s care.

Bailey was charged with nine violations of holding protected wildlife without a permit.

By law, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife requires that people who hold a wildlife species for any length of time have the appropriate permits prior to possessing those animals.

They say the animals were taken away and will be cared for by them while the investigation continues. Later, they’ll determine where the animals will go based on available facilities and the animals’ medical records.

WKYT has reached out to the Kentucky Wildlife Center for comment, but their facility is listed as temporarily closed online. We have also requested an interview with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, which said that due to the ongoing case, they can’t comment further.

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