Lawsuit Over Conditions at NE Iowa Zoo Going to Trial

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — A federal lawsuit over conditions at an eastern Iowa roadside zoo is set to go to trial.

A federal magistrate denied a motion for summary judgment by those suing that would have declared that Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester and its operators violated the Endangered Species Act.

Magistrate Jon Stuart Scoles denied the motion Thursday, saying a jury must sort out the facts in the case.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund and Iowa residents Tracey Kuehl, Lisa Kuehl, Kris Bell, Nancy Harvey and John Braumann sued the zoo and operators Pamela and Tom Sellner, alleging federal violations over the treatment of lions, tigers, gray wolves and lemurs in the zoo's collection. The lawsuit seeks to keep the operation from possessing endangered species.