Alberta government not enforcing their own zoo regulations

2007-11-07

Zoocheck Canada/ WSPA

More than a year after the Alberta government implemented new standards for zoos, serious animal welfare and public safety problems remain at Guzoo Animal Farm (Three Hills) and Discovery Wildlife Park (Innisfail). An investigation conducted this summer by Zoocheck Canada and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) reveals more than 150 obvious violations of the standards.

“While the Alberta government made important changes to its zoo regulations well over a year ago”, says Zoocheck’s Julie Woodyer, “very little has changed in the province’s two roadside zoos. Animals continue to suffer and the public is still at risk.”

WSPA and Zoocheck counted more than 100 violations of the standards at Guzoo Animal Farm and more than 50 at Discovery Wildlife Park. Problems included animals kept in dirty, filthy cages without potable water, social animals housed alone in barren enclosures with no environmental enrichment, unlocked gates, dangerous animals kept behind flimsy, low barriers and unsafe attractions that put visitors at risk.

“Every day this government dwindles at enforcing its rules, these animals suffer enormously and the public remains at risk,” says WSPA’s Melissa Tkachyk. “Enough is enough – it’s time to clean up or close down Alberta’s roadside zoos.”

New regulations came into effect on April 1, 2006 giving the province’s zoos six months to comply with minimum standards for animal care, housing, education and public safety.

Zoocheck and WSPA are calling on the Government of Alberta to enforce the zoo standards to the full extent of the law to protect the welfare of the animals and protect the public's health and safety. If these zoos are unable to come into compliance after all this time, the animal protection groups say "it's time to revoke their licence".

A Review of Guzoo Animal Farm Based on the Alberta Zoo Standards (2007) (pdf file).

A Review of Discovery Wildlife Park Based on the Alberta Zoo Standards (2007) (pdf file).