Tiger King star claims Michael Jackson’s alligators were killed in Joe Exotic’s zoo fire

John Finlay said the animals came from Jackson’s Neverland ranch

Tiger King star John Finlay has claimed the alligators that perished in Joe Exotic’s zoo fire belonged to Michael Jackson.

The Netflix hit – branded “bonkers” by viewers – tells the story of Exotic, a tiger trader embroiled in a rivalry with animal rights activist Carole Baskin.

Exotic is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for crimes including trying to hire someone to murder Baskin.

Footage shown in the documentary sees Exotic discussing a blaze at his zoo. He said the animals involved were “boiling alive in a towering inferno”.

Finlay, who was in a relationship with Exotic when Tiger King was filmed, spoke about Jackson’s animals in a new interview for Lights Out with David Wade.

He said: “My favourite animals were the alligators and crocodiles. A previous manager had gotten Michael Jackson’s alligators from the Neverland ranch.

“We’d got some other ones from friends and stuff. They were the ones I really took care of most of the time.”

According to a 2015 KXII article written after the fire took place, Exotic himself said: “The building can be replaced, the equipment can be replaced, but Michael Jackson’s alligators cannot be replaced.”