Well, first of all, the main characters are real people living in the real world. Joe Exotic was a real zookeeper with his own zoo full of big cats. His legal troubles, his rivalry with Carole Baskin over big - cat conservation and ownership, and his rather flamboyant lifestyle were all real. There were real court cases, real issues with animal welfare in the big - cat industry that are all part of what makes Tiger King a real story. Also, a lot of the footage used in the show was real - life footage of these people and their activities.
Tiger King is a real story because it's centered around real - life people and their real - life situations. Joe Exotic was a real - life figure who had a zoo and was involved in the big - cat trade. His relationships, like his enmity with Carole Baskin, were real. The show also delved into the real - world problems of the big - cat industry, such as illegal breeding, exploitation, and the lack of proper regulations. All of these elements are based on real events and real people, which is what makes Tiger King a real - story - based production. The series just put a spotlight on these often - overlooked or hidden aspects of the big - cat world in the United States.
The people in it are real. Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin are actual individuals who were involved in the big - cat business. Their actions and their feud are real - life events that were documented.