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'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic says he has 'aggressive' prostate cancer

He is asking for a compassionate release from prison.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Editor's note: The above video is from a previous story.

"Tiger King" star Joe Exotic says he has been diagnosed with an "aggressive" prostate cancer.

In a tweet, Exotic wrote doctors called him Wednesday to break the news about his biopsy results.

USA Today says Exotic's attorney John M. Phillips confirmed the news in a statement and gave the news organization a 45-second recording of Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage.

"They diagnosed me last Wednesday with a very aggressive prostate cancer," Exotic says in the recording, also adding he doesn't know what stage of cancer he has, according to USA Today.

"It is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer. I am still waiting on the results from other test (sic) as well," CNN reports he wrote in a letter provided by his attorney.

"Right now, I don't want anyone's pity," he added, CNN says.

USA Today says Exotic is asking for compassionate release from prison. 

He has been asking for a presidential pardon, both from former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Previously, he indicated he was showing signs of prostate cancer.

Earlier this year, a federal appeals court vacated Exotic's 22-year sentence in the murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. He will be resentenced at a later date. 

Exotic, a former Oklahoma zookeeper, unsuccessfully ran for governor of Oklahoma in 2018. Another season of the hit Netflix docuseries that elevated his public profile is coming on Nov. 17. 

A federal judge this week denied a request by Baskin and her husband to issue a temporary restraining order against Netflix and a production company over previously-shot footage of them to be used in the upcoming "Tiger King 2" docuseries. 

RELATED: Judge denies temporary restraining order on 'Tiger King 2' after Baskin lawsuit

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RELATED: Federal appeals court vacates 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic sentence in the murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin

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