‘Tiger King’ star Joe Exotic begs Kourtney Kardashian to have Kim get him out of ‘hell hole’ prison

Joe Exotic is seeking legal help in the unlikeliest of places — Instagram.

The “Tiger King” star made his way to Kourtney Kardashian’s account and commented on a photo of her and her newborn son, Rocky, to beg for help to be released from prison.

“Awwww cute, also please have your sister help me get out of this hell hole,” Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado, wrote in the comments section Sunday.

While the statement garnered more than 7,200 “likes” and tons of responses by Friday, none of them came from either Kardashian.


joe exotic mug shot
“Tiger King” star Joe Exotic is begging for legal help from Kim Kardashian.AP



kourtney kardashian holding baby rocky
“Awwww cute, also please have your sister help me get out of this hell hole,” Exotic wrote in the comments section of Kourtney Kardashian’s Instagram photo.Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram


kim kardashian selfie giving kissy face
The Skims founder hasn’t responded to his public plea.kimkardashian/Instagram
The former zookeeper, 60, was sentenced to 22 years in prison in January 2020 for hatching a sick murder-for-hire plot against a rival and killing five tigers.


Known for his eccentric appearance, Exotic was also convicted of selling tiger cubs.


The Netflix personality ultimately had one year removed from his sentence after a federal appeals court ruled that improper sentencing guidelines were used.

joe exotic posing with a tiger
The Netflix personality was sentenced to 22 years in prison after hatching a sick murder-for-hire plot against a rival and killing five tigers.Netflix US/AFP via Getty Images
Exotic’s Instagram comment wasn’t the first time he has sought Kim’s help since the Skims founder, 43, began fighting for prison reform during Donald Trump’s presidency.



In December 2020, the animal abuser penned a letter to Kim asking if she could help score him a pardon from Trump.

“I know you have never met me and may never want to however I do believe that you hold the values of our justice system dear to your heart,” his note read.

joe exotic on a couch with a white tiger
He had his sentenced reduced by one year.

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“Please help me by just taking 10 minutes out of your life and placing a call to President Trump to look at my 257 page pardon,” Exotic added.

His efforts either went unnoticed or ignored.

While in prison, the television personality was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In February 2023, he wrote a letter saying his doctor feared the aggressive disease had spread to his bladder.