ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Three Maryland roadside zoos are objecting to a bill in the General Assembly that could bar them from obtaining new big cats, bears and primates.

The zoos in Thurmont, Cumberland and Rising Sun say House Bill 1124 threatens their existence. It would prohibit certain zoos from expanding their collections of such animals. Targeted zoos also would be barred from replacing such animals if the zoo has been cited in the past three years for certain federal Animal Welfare Act violations, or has had such an animal escape or hurt someone during that period.