Wildlife Preserve Owner Arrested for Alleged Zoo Fraud Scheme

Business Deal Gone Wrong

John "Gabe" Ligon, owner of Magnolia Wilds wildlife preserve in East Feliciana Parish, was arrested in Texas just weeks after announcing plans to sell his business following a failed partnership with another Louisiana zoo. According to arrest records from Tarrant County, Texas, Ligon was arrested as a fugitive from Grant Parish on January 23, where he remained held without bond.

Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain said that Ligon had agreed to provide exotic animals and perform work at the Gone Wild Safari, a petting zoo in Grant Parish, in exchange for $130,000 but the owner reported in August that he was allegedly still owed $93,200. McCain says Ligon will be charged with felony theft over $25,000.

According to a lawsuit filed in Grant Parish, Ligon agreed to engage in a "comprehensive remodel and expansion to enhance guest experience, animal care and operational efficiency" of Gone Wild Safari due to his 14 years of experience with a similar park, entering this agreement with John and Paula Cormane, Gone Wild's owners, in April 2025. Ligon was allegedly paid $160,228.85 for the work, but the Cormanes allege that Ligon left the work partially or totally incomplete by the end of an agreed-upon timeline and failed to meet several parts of the agreement, including proper record-keeping, the appointment of a permanent director and the training of staff.

Troubled Wildlife Empire

Ligon's wildlife preserve, known as Magnolia Wilds, contains 100 acres housing over 75 different species of animals, plus a safari and zipline park, marketing close-up encounters with wildlife including swimming with otters, feeding sloths and holding baby kangaroos. Tax assessor records list Ligon as the owner of Magnolia Wilds, formerly known as Barn Hill Preserve in Ethel.

According to Ligon, the park was grossing nearly $2.7 million annually during its peak in 2023, but since then, Magnolia Wilds has experienced financial issues. The events that Ligon referenced happened in 2023 and involved federal officials seizing a giraffe from the property. The incident and its media attention hurt the company's brand, and revenue continued to decline even after Barn Hill Preserve was renamed Magnolia Wilds.

Last March, the park further generated minor controversy after Mango, a beloved parrot known for dancing to music by Doja Cat, was stolen by an employee, though he was not harmed and has since been returned to Magnolia Wilds.

Desperate Sale Announcement

In a January 9 Facebook post, Ligon announced he was selling his business, saying that the sale would "include all animals, equipment, land, vehicles, social media accounts, branding and more." He added that he was also considering offers for parts of the complex, including selling just the preserve, just the safari park and the combined safari park and zipline park, and would consider owner financing for the right buyer with "good credit, a clear vision, and the passion and commitment to get the parks back on track."

Ligon acknowledged the difficulty of his decision, writing: "This park has been a huge part of my life, and I am incredibly proud of what was built here. My hope is that the next chapter honors the animals, the land, and the community that helped make it all possible." Ligon, a conservationist who also serves as board president for Kids Saving the Rainforest, a nonprofit animal rescue center in Costa Rica, said he plans to dedicate more time there after the park's sale.

Industry Under Scrutiny

The arrest highlights growing concerns about financial practices within the private wildlife industry, where exotic animal facilities often operate with limited oversight despite handling substantial sums of money. These businesses frequently rely on complex partnerships and animal transfers that can create opportunities for financial disputes or misconduct.

The website for Magnolia Wilds currently indicates the business is closed for the winter through January 31, though it was scheduled to reopen on February 1 after a routine winter closure. The case raises questions about what will happen to the dozens of exotic animals housed at the facility and whether potential buyers will emerge despite the legal troubles surrounding its owner.

As wildlife tourism continues to grow in Louisiana, this case may prompt closer examination of business practices and financial oversight within the industry, particularly for facilities that market direct animal interactions to the public.