Guzoo Animal Farm Update (February 2001)

Early in 2000, Alberta Environment acknowledged that there were severe animal welfare and public safety problems at Guzoo Animal Farm near Three Hills.

Former Alberta Environment Minister Gary Mar announced that his ministry would take steps to address the problems and said that Guzoo would have to clean up or close down. Instead of renewing Guzoo's annual permit, he issued a temporary three month permit, with further permit renewals contingent on improvements being made to the facility.

Nearly one year later, some things have changed. But they aren't nearly enough.

A letter to Zoocheck Canada from current Alberta Environment Minister Halvar Jonson, dated January 23, 2001, indicates that the following 'improvements' have been made at Guzoo:

Stand off barriers have been installed in front of many of the enclosures to keep the public at a safe distance. This enchances both public safety and animal wellbeing.
A cable fence has been installed inside the elk enclosure to keep the elk away from the page wire fence and from contact with the public
Signs have installed on a number of cages advising the public of the potential danger
New graphic information signs have been erected at the tiger enclosure
Hay for the herbivores is now being offered in cribs rather than on the ground
Cleaning frequency has been increased
The feeding of bread to any wildlife or controlled animal has stopped.
Freezers have been removed except for two at the entrance. Bread from these if for domestic stock livestock only.
All large ungulates have shelters in their enclosures. All animals will have appropriate shelters prior to the expiry of the current permit.
The bison/yak fence has been strengthened and sections have had new wire installed.
A new fenced animal contact areas has been built east of the office.
Use of some of the smaller cages has been discontinued.
The number of animals housed in the contact barn has been reduced and barn cleanliness has been greatly improved.
The viewing area south of the office has been roofed to provide a shaded area for animals on display at this location.
The zoo entrance has been redone to provide a more pleasing entrance area.
A plan is being developed for improvements to and/or replacement of enclosures and enclosure access.
A number of trees and shrubs have been planted a various locations throughout the facility.

While the changes listed above are welcome, most of them only partially address issues of cleanliness and public safety. They do little to satisfy the actual biological and behavioural requirements of the animals.

Alberta Environment is supposed to require that individuals keeping wildlife in captivity provide accommodation and care appropriate for the species, and that they have expertise in the care and housing of the wildlife species in their possession.

Unfortunately, Guzoo still houses animals in relatively barren, poorly designed, under-furnished cages and enclosures that do little to provide a decent quality of life.

An October 24, 2000 inspection of Guzoo by highly regarded veterinarian/animal behaviourist Dr. Samantha Scott revealed that a range of systemic problems still exist at Guzoo. Click here to view Dr. Scott's inspection report.

Please write to Alberta Environment Minister Halvar Jonson and ask him why most of the changes that have taken place relate to cleanliness and public safety and why so few actually address the biological and behavioural needs of the animals. Write to him at Alberta Environment, Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2B6 (fax) 780-422-6259.

Also ask the Minister the following:

Has the owner of Guzoo been required to obtain professional training or upgrading in wildlife biology and ethology, zoo animal husbandry, animal handling, exhibit design, construction and enrichment, record keeping, security and safety protocols or any other aspect of zoo operations? If not, why not?
Is Guzoo now required to have professionally trained staff on-site? If not, why not?
How many inspections of Guzoo have taken place since the facility was issued its first temporary permit?
What are the qualifications of the inspectors? Do they know what to look for?

Even if you've written before, please do so again. Usually, a government Minister will have his staff send you a scripted form letter in response to your first and second letter. Don't let him get away with that. Let him know that you want real answers and you'll keep writing until you get them. If you do, you'll be doing a great deal to help zoo animals in Alberta.