SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A lemur and other exotic animals are doing better nearly two months after they were hurt in a suspected drunken driving incident on I-4.
The incident was recorded on dashboard cameras. WFTV Channel 9 was first to report the story in December.
The animals’ caretaker, Shane Taylor, who was arrested on drunken driving charges, told Channel 9 he wants the animals back.
TRENDING NOW:
- Gunman surrenders after reports of 'shots fired' inside Florida bank, police say
- Nurse charged with sexual assault after woman in vegetative state gives birth
- Man claims he has bomb strapped to him on Ormond Beach bus, police say
- VIDEO: Florida woman shot after performing sex act for $5 and Pringles chips, deputies say
“I was beyond shocked, I mean it's not funny,” Taylor told Channel 9’s Jeff Levkulich with a laugh under his breath. “I don't mean to chuckle but really the whole case is serious. I just wasn't expecting it to go further than that."
Also read: Leaping lemur! Exotic animals surprise troopers during I-4 traffic stop
The lemur, a wallaby, a tortoise and goats were seized after that traffic stop will remain at the Care Foundation in Apopka until Taylor‘s legal troubles are over. Taylor said some of his animals are in pairs and have been separated.
“They really, really miss their mate. But I can only take one step at a time,” Taylor said.
Watch below: Channel 9's Jeff Levkulich gets an update on the animals
The Care Foundation said Taylor’s animals involved in the traffic stop have recovered from their injuries.
“Considering he caused the injuries, and he took these animals out illegally, there is no reason he should have these animals back. They weren't in the best shape when we got them here,” said Care Foundation founder and director Christin Burford.
The actual owner of the animals is an Illinois woman who leased the animals to Taylor for his Brevard County petting zoo. She saw the video and contacted authorities. She wants the animals to remain in the care of the Care Foundation until spring at the earliest.
Not near a TV? Click here to watch WFTV newscasts live
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/WJVERMTCKFHFPBF2LNONHSDB4M.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/6UYULPPKLRDGNHEF5BPPPXVJPE.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LI5TB4KU55WVNHEWM3CN73BXV4.jpg)
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/04-22-2024/t_59d80d38e9da45b897e1064434313ecf_name_A9_viking_cruise_pkg_00_01_38_10_Still002.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/WWPFX4CV7FCWBLAGRODPDKVO7Q.png)