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Erik Cowie, zookeeper featured on Netflix’s ‘Tiger King,’ dies

JESSICA: THE BIG HEADLINES FOCUSED ON CORONAVIRUS AND QUARANTINE. IT’S GIVEN A LOT OF PEOPLE TIME TO BINGE WATCH, AND ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, “TIGER KING.” BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN WYNNEWOOD SINCE THOSE NETFLIX CAMERAS STOPPED ROLLING. ABIGAIL: AND TONIGHT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE NEW OWNERS OF THE ZOO ARE LETTING A CAMERA INSIDE. JESSICA: KOCO’S MECCA RAYNE IS TAKING YOU ON AN EXCLUSIVE JOURNEY INSIDE THE PARK TO SHOW YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW, AND WHAT THE MAIN CHARACTERS ARE UP TO. MECCA: INSIDE THIS HOME ON PROPERTY, YOU’LL FIND JEFF AND LAUREN LOWE. TO THE CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME MIGHT BELIEVE, THEIR HOME LIFE IS ACTUALLY NORMAL ON THE INSIDE. THEIR FOCUS, THEIR BABY GIRL, SARA. >> SHE’S SO EASY GOING. >> HE’S A WONDERFUL DAD. IT IS SO CUTE WATCHING HIM INTERACT WITH HER. MECCA: ON THE OUTSIDE, A WORLD OF WILD ANIMALS, MAINLY BIG CATS. IT’S LIKELY WHY YOU KNOW THEM, AS THEY ARE A MAJOR PART OF THE NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY, “TIGER KING.” ONCE IT AIRED, A MAJOR CHANGE. THEIR FACES ARE NOW RECOGNIZABLE, FROM PEOPLE ON THE STREET TO CELEBRITIES. EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT IN PERSON AND ONLINE. IN FACT, WE WERE THERE FOR A FACETIME WITH COOLIO. >> HOW’S IT GOING MAN WITH THE CATS, MAN? MECCA: TOP OF MIND? >> WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? OLD BOY IS OUT HIS MIND. MECCA: AND IF YOU HAVE WATCHED, YOU RECOGNIZE THIS CAST OF CHARACTERS, AND THIS SPOT. IT’S THE VERY AREA JOE EXOTIC WAS SEEN IN THE SHOW NEARLY INJURED. THE TIGERS, THEY ARE STILL HERE. >> CAN’T WAIT TO GET OUT OF HERE. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW ZOO. MECCA: THE WORKERS STILL TENDING TO THE CATS THAT NEED THEM, NOT PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE ATTENTION. >> HASN’T REALLY CHANGED MUCH, MY JOB IS STILL DOING WHAT I HAVE GOT TO DO HERE. BUT IT’S INTERESTING MEETING NEW PEOPLE. MECCA: AND THIS PLACE A LOT DIFFERENT NOW. >> IT WAS JUST THE JOE SHOW. MECCA: BUT WITH JOE NOW IN PRISON, THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD. >> IT’S NEVER A HAPPY DAY WHEN SOMEONE GETS THEIR FREEDOM STRIPPED FROM THEM. MECCA: KEEPING THEIR EYE ON WHAT’S NEXT, A MOVE TO A NEW, BIGGER ZOO. >> WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE THIS PLACE BEHIND. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ALL THE ANIMALS WITH US. MECCA: MECCA RAYNE, KOCO 5 NEWS. ABIGAIL: I’VE BEEN TALKING WITH A FRIEND OF JOE EXOTIC. SHE TELLS ME HE IS AT A FORT WORTH FACILITY, CURRENTLY IN QUARANTINE BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO THE CORONAVIRUS. BECAUSE OF THAT, NO ONE HAS HEARD FROM HIM FOR SOME TIME. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. JESSICA: MECCA RAYNE HAD UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS. SHE SPENT HOURS TALKING WITH EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE DOCUMENTARY. TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00, SHE WILL SHOW US THE REAL JEFF AND LAUREN, DISPELLING RUMORS AND INTRODUCING YOU TO THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES RAISING THEIR DAUGHTER IN WYNNEWOOD. AND HEAR

Erik Cowie, zookeeper featured on Netflix’s ‘Tiger King,’ dies

Erik Cowie, a zookeeper featured on Netflix’s widely popular docuseries “Tiger King,” has died, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park announced on Tuesday.”It comes with great sadness to say that a dear friend and hard-working employee has passed away,” the park posted on Facebook. “Erik Cowie dedicated every waking moment caring for the animals at GWEAP & Tiger King Park. … He absolutely loved all the animals and would show up early to check on each and every one. He had his Demons, but the animals helped bring joy and happiness in his life.”Reports say Cowie’s body was found Friday in New York City. He was 53 years old.Related Video Above: An exclusive look inside Oklahoma exotic zoo after “Tiger King” documentary

Erik Cowie, a zookeeper featured on Netflix’s widely popular docuseries “Tiger King,” has died, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park announced on Tuesday.

“It comes with great sadness to say that a dear friend and hard-working employee has passed away,” the park posted on Facebook. “Erik Cowie dedicated every waking moment caring for the animals at GWEAP & Tiger King Park. … He absolutely loved all the animals and would show up early to check on each and every one. He had his Demons, but the animals helped bring joy and happiness in his life.”

Reports say Cowie’s body was found Friday in New York City. He was 53 years old.

Related Video Above: An exclusive look inside Oklahoma exotic zoo after “Tiger King” documentary