Twelve leopards and two African lions were...

Twelve leopards and two African lions were relocated Tuesday to a wildlife conservation center in Colorado from a Colton wild animal sanctuary whose owners have been charged with animal abuse.

The big cats left the Tiger Rescue facility for Colorado three months after authorities charged that John Weinhart, the facility’s owner, was illegally breeding the animals and was keeping them in cramped and unhealthy living conditions.

Authorities also found 90 dead tigers, including 58 frozen cubs, at Weinhart’s Glen Avon home. Weinhart and his wife, Marla Smith, face charges related to the care of animals in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization based in Keenesburg, Colo., agreed to take two African lions and three leopards and to temporarily keep the rest of the animals. The remaining nine leopards will eventually go to Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point, Ind., said California Department of Fish and Game spokeswoman Lorna Bernard.

The animals are the first to have been transported since a judge gave permission last week for them to be relocated. About 40 tigers, lions, leopards and other animals will remain in Colton until they can be placed in permanent homes where they would receive the care they need, Bernard said.