What Happened to Wild Frank? The Animal Sanctuary Scandal Explained

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Frank Cuesta, known as «Wild Frank,» has long been a controversial figure in the world of wildlife conservation. His popular show «Wild Frank» on Spanish television brought him international recognition for his efforts to rescue and care for exotic animals. Over the years, he built a sanctuary in Thailand that became a focal point for his followers, portraying himself as a protector of animals in need. However, recent revelations have shaken his public image to the core, leading to a massive scandal that has left his audience confused and divided.

The Background: Frank Cuesta’s Rise to Fame

For many, Frank Cuesta was the face of animal rescue. His sanctuary in Thailand became a symbol of his commitment to wildlife conservation, and his social media presence only amplified his message of protecting endangered species. But in recent months, cracks began to show in his carefully crafted image.

Cuesta’s relationship with some of his former collaborators, particularly a man named Chi, had been strained for some time. Chi, who had worked alongside Cuesta at the sanctuary, accused him of wrongdoing, including involvement in his legal troubles and claims of animal mistreatment. Leaked recordings surfaced, in which Cuesta admitted to poor practices in his sanctuary, including neglecting animals and failing to live up to his own promises. These revelations set the stage for what would soon explode into a full-blown controversy.

The Confession Video

On May 13, 2025, Cuesta shocked his followers by releasing a video where he confessed that much of what he had presented to the public was a lie. He admitted that he had falsely claimed to have cancer, revealing that he had been suffering from myelodysplasia, not cancer. He also revealed that the animals at his sanctuary had been purchased, not rescued, directly contradicting his previous claims of being a wildlife protector. Cuesta admitted to being driven by ego and compulsive lying, stating, «I am not a veterinarian, nor a herpetologist. I’ve never rescued animals. It’s all been part of a show.»

The Fallout and Second Video

The confession video sent shockwaves through the online community. However, just hours later, Cuesta released another video retracting his statements. He claimed that the confession video was scripted and that he had been coerced into making it due to ongoing harassment. Cuesta suggested that Chi was behind the pressure and that the situation was part of a larger conspiracy to ruin him. He insisted that the first video had been a result of “external forces” pushing him to speak out against his will.

Desde hace semanas estoy siendo victima de una extorsion. Filtrando fotos privadas, audios, whatsapps e informacion dentro de mi ordenador por mas de una decada. Filtrando tambien informacion de mi familia y cercanos. La manipulacion, amenazas y sadismo es inaguantable. Aqui el… pic.twitter.com/lcVXubcxWV

— Frank Cuesta (@Frank_Cuesta) May 14, 2025

Family and Public Reactions

The situation quickly spiraled into further drama, with Frank’s family and public figures responding. His son, Zape, took to social media to defend his father, claiming that Frank had been forced to read from a script and that the family had been under intense scrutiny for months. Zape contradicted his father’s claims about his health, stating that Frank had indeed gone through cancer treatment, despite his public retraction.

Public figures and fellow content creators also weighed in on the scandal. Television personality Risto Mejide criticized Cuesta’s false cancer claim as “inhumane,” while others, like the streamer El Xocas, speculated that Chi might have manipulated Cuesta by mixing truths with lies in order to ruin his reputation.

Legal Trouble and Animal Welfare Concerns

Aside from the personal drama, Cuesta’s sanctuary has also faced legal challenges. In February 2025, he was arrested in Thailand for illegal possession of protected wildlife. Although he was released on bail, the legal proceedings are ongoing, with several investigations into the practices at his sanctuary. The controversy has raised serious questions about the ethics of wildlife conservation operations and the legitimacy of sanctuaries that are supposed to prioritize animal welfare.

The story of Frank Cuesta serves as a cautionary tale for anyone involved in wildlife conservation and public outreach. His fall from grace highlights the complexities of running an animal sanctuary and the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability. As the scandal continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Cuesta, his sanctuary, and the many animals he promised to protect.