Andrea Maturen in happier times.
From the article:
“The 121/2-acre sanctuary is just north of Alderman Road on Alt. U.S. 19. It houses dozens of animals, mostly primates. Chimps are among those the state says pose a significant danger to people.
Originally known as Noell’s Ark Chimp Farm, the facility opened as a roadside attraction in 1971. Debbie Cobb is the granddaughter of founders Bob and Mae Noell.
The sanctuary had to close to the public for nearly a decade after the U.S. Department of Agriculture stripped the sanctuary of its federal license to exhibit animals in 1999. The agency said the farm used cages that were rusty, small, dirty and had jagged edges.
In 2001, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission denied the renewal of the sanctuary’s license for similar reasons. Two years later, the license was reinstated. But the sanctuary did not reopen to the public until 2008.”