Gen. Beauregard Lee will no longer be Gwinnett County’s local prognosticator for Ground Hog Day.

After nearly 35 years, the Yellow River Game Ranch has closed its doors.

A sign on the door of the Yellow River Game Ranch reads: “Closed, sorry for any inconvenience”.

Workers, who showed up to tend to the animals, confirm the popular roadside zoo is closed but no word from manager Cody Reeves why he decided to shut it down.

The last several inspections from the U. S. Department of Agriculture indicate violations including pens in disrepair, dirty feed tubes for the bears, animals with thinning hair, and a red fox with a yellow discharge in it eyes.

Reeve’s friend Merl is sadden by the news. “It’s really unfortunate in the fact that this is an institution.

“My kids and grandkids have come here to see the animals,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

He does not know why his friend closed the game ranch but suspects it is due to what he considers overregulation by the government.

Local animal welfare advocate Anna Ware was overjoyed at the news.

“It’s much better to see animals out in the wild or at a reputable sanctuary. You can learn about animals without having to see them in a cage,” she says.

Ware is hoping the animals will all be transferred to reputable sanctuaries.

A spokesman for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says the agency has not been contacted about the closure, but is offering to help in relocating the animals.