Looking back at Ligertown 20 years later

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho made national headlines 20 years ago when several exotic animals escaped from Ligertown, a complex near the small resort town. Several ligers, a cross between a lion and a tiger, as well as lions escaped the complex on the evening of Wednesday, September 20, 1995. A local resident saw one near his home and shot and killed it then contacted authorities. Nearly 20 animals were found to have escaped, and most of them were shot and killed that night. Another was shot and killed Thursday night.

Law enforcement officials and animal rescue groups who later inspected the cages called the conditions “filth and squalor almost indescribable.” There had been more than 40 wolf-hybrids and more than 40 lions and liger crossbreeds living at the facility. The surviving animals were removed from the area, many went to the Wildlife Waystation in California.

The two people who owned the property, Dottie Martin and Robert Fieber were eventually convicted on 13 counts, including animal cruelty.

Photo by Kelton Hatch/Idaho State Journal. Printed in ISJ on September 21, 1995. Law enforcement officers surround Ligertown Game Farm Inc., east of Lava Hot Springs this morning after lions escaped Wednesday evening.

Photo by Kelton Hatch/Idaho State Journal. Printed in ISJ on Thursday, September 21, 1995.
Law enforcement officers surround Ligertown Game Farm Inc., east of Lava Hot Springs this morning after lions escaped Wednesday evening.

Front page of Idaho State Journal on September 21, 1995

Titan, a large male lion on top of the Ligertown complex is one of about 30 lions, tigers and ligers raised and living there. Photo by Kelton Hatch. Printed in Idaho State Journal September 22, 1995.

September 22. 1995 Idaho State Journal

September 22. 1995 Idaho State Journal

September 22. 1995 Idaho State Journal

Photo by Kelton Hatch/Idaho State Journal. Printed on September 29, 1995.
Ligertown co-operator Dotti Martin responds to questions from reporters at the compound Thursday afternoon.

Photo by Kelton Hatch/Idaho State Journal. Printed on September 29, 1995. A lion cub looks through the bars of an Idaho Department FIsh and Game cage as he and three others were transported to the Ross Park Zoo.