Lions and tigers are no longer roaming within the gates of a big cat sanctuary near Grand Bend.
The Municipality of Lambton Shores said the owners of Roaring Cat Retreat appear to have complied with a court order to remove the exotic animals.
Mayor Bill Weber said the property was not zoned for that type of an operation.
"We're pleased that they have moved on with the court order and respected that and moved the animals out. The area is relieved and it feels safer."
Despite the removal of the animals, Weber did not confirm that the matter was complete.
"There may be ongoing issues, but right now, we're satisfied with where we're at. We'll see where things go in the future. We hope that the property complies with the zoning bylaw in the future."
Ontario Superior Court issued a permanent injunction against Roaring Cat Retreat earlier this year, outlawing the housing of exotic animals within Lambton Shores.
In April of 2019, Lambton Shores councillors unanimously passed an exotic animal bylaw that bans the ownership of animals including tigers, lions, cougars and leopards.
In November, a social media post showed an escaped lion cub on a local street not far from the retreat, which is located at the former Pineridge Zoo site at 9827 Parkview Cres.