A Ventura County animal sanctuary must pay $50,000 for housing more than a dozen exotic animals.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the sanctuary, Born to Be Free, had lions, leopards, a European brown bear and several animal hybrids before officials relocated the exotic animals to licensed and accredited facilities throughout the country.

"This judgment reinforces the importance of California's restricted species requirements and the responsibility that comes with caring for exotic animals," Nasarenko said. "Our office is grateful for the partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and for the thorough work that led to this resolution."

A judge ordered Born to Be Free to pay the California Department of Fish and Wildlife $40,000 to reimburse the investigation, a penalty of

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