Editing Triangle Metro Zoo (section)

==History==

The zoo originated from Larry Seibel's long experience in breeding exotic animals, and was opened in 1998.<ref name="zoo_history">{{Cite web|url=http://www.trianglemetrozoo.com/whatlist.shtml |title=What is the Triangle Metro Zoo? |work=trianglemetrozoo.com |publisher=Triangle Metro Zoo |date=13 March 2005 |accessdate=3 November 2012 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050313084545/http://www.trianglemetrozoo.com/whatlist.shtml |archivedate=March 13, 2005 }}</ref> It was situated in a heavily forested area astride a small stream. Its name derives from the area of North Carolina in which the zoo was located, which is called "the Triangle" because it comprises the three larger cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

Shortly after the zoo opened in 1998, the barn containing the gift shop and restrooms burned down, and was never rebuilt. The owner cited lack of facilities at the zoo due to this fire, which prevented him from putting up a permanent sign on Capital Boulevard, as one of many factors that led to the lack of funds for the zoo and its eventual closure.<ref>{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.newsobserver.com/2006/02/16/41379/triangle-metro-zoo-closes.html
 |title       = Triangle Metro Zoo closes
 |work        = newsobserver.com
 |publisher   = The News & Observer Publishing Company
 |date        = 16 February 2006
 |accessdate  = 4 November 2012
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121002035014/http://www.newsobserver.com/2006/02/16/41379/triangle-metro-zoo-closes.html
 |archivedate = 2 October 2012
}}</ref>

Seibel closed the zoo in February 2006, citing money and personal problems, as well as encroaching development that would require him to fence the entire property.<ref name="wral2">
{{Cite web
|url=https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/149775/
|title=Triangle Zoo To Shut Down
|work=wral.com
|publisher=Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
|date=15 February 2006
|accessdate=3 November 2012
}}</ref><ref name="wral1">
{{Cite web
|url=https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/149734/
|title=Triangle Metro Zoo To Close Immediately
|work=wral.com
|publisher=Capitol Broadcasting Company Inc.
|date=14 February 2006
|accessdate=3 November 2012
}}</ref> After the zoo closed, the Bengal tiger Raja, who Seibel and staff had rescued from neglectful owners, was moved to the [[Carnivore Preservation Trust]] in [[Pittsboro, North Carolina]] after having first been quarantined at the [[North Carolina Zoo]].<ref name="cpt">
{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.cptigers.org/news/2006Rajahrescue.asp
 |title       = Rescuing Rajaji
 |work        = cptigers.org
 |publisher   = Carnivore Preservation Trust
 |accessdate  = 3 November 2012
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120324153834/http://www.cptigers.org/news/2006Rajahrescue.asp
 |archivedate = 24 March 2012
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
 |url         = http://bigcatnews.blogspot.com/2006/11/rescued-tiger-going-to-nc-facility.html
 |title       = Rescued tiger going to NC facility, gets landmark restaurant leftovers
 |work        = blogspot.com
 |publisher   = Big Cat News
 |date        = 16 November 2006
 |accessdate  = 4 November 2012
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://archive.today/20121209031527/http://bigcatnews.blogspot.com/2006/11/rescued-tiger-going-to-nc-facility.html
 |archivedate = 9 December 2012
}}</ref> Other animals were transferred to various private collections and zoos.<ref name="wral2"/>