Tiger King star Joe Exotic has taken to Instagram to share that he has "aggressive cancer" following the results of a prostate biopsy.
The 58-year-old is currently in prison after being convicted in 2019 on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire in a plot to kill his nemesis, and fellow Tiger King star, Carole Baskin.
Exotic — who previously operated the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park — is now hoping that the seriousness of his illness will permit him an early release from prison.
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday (November 4), Exotic — whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage — issued an update to his fans.
''Everyone, it is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer, I am still waiting on the results from other tests as well," he wrote.
He then said that Baskin, the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, will likely celebrate over the news: "Right now I don’t want anyone’s pity and I’m sure Carole will have her own party over this!"
"What I need is the world to be my voice to be released, they have the proof I DID NOT DO THIS! And there is no reason for the district attorney to drag this out, So I can go home and get treatment on my own or enjoy what life I have left with my loved ones! Say a prayer everyone & be my voice [sic]," he added.
Last month, Netflix offered us a first glimpse at the follow-up to 2020's wildly successful docuseries.
The synopsis reads:
"With Joe Exotic behind bars and Carole Baskin closing in on ownership of his disreputable zoo, the Emmy-nominated saga continues its twisted course with Tiger King 2 as newfound revelations emerge on the motivations, backstories, and secrets of America’s most notorious big cat owners.
"Old enemies and frenemies, including Jeff Lowe, Tim Stark, Allen Glover, and James Garretson return for another season of murder, mayhem, and madness. Thought you knew the whole story? Just you wait."
In the first look at the upcoming show, there are phone calls with Exotic from jail, and a closer look at his ongoing rivalry with Baskin.
The big cat rights activist, however, is clearly unhappy that she has been featured in the upcoming Tiger King 2. Per Variety, Baskin and her husband, Howard, filed a lawsuit in Florida against Netflix and production company, Royal Goode Productions, on November 1.
She is alleging that the footage used in the sequel is a breach of contract.
In documents obtained by the publication, Carole and her husband, Howard, are claiming that they only signed appearance release forms for the first docuseries — not Tiger King 2.
"Understanding that the Appearance Releases limited Royal Goode Productions’ use of the footage of the Baskins and Big Cat Rescue to the single, initial documentary motion picture, the Baskins believed that any sequel – though odious – would not include any of their footage," the document states.
Tiger King 2 is available to stream from November 17 on Netflix.