Report highlights need for changes at Guha's, Zoos not regulated in Ontario

2006-11-09

Zoocheck Canada

Today, the third in a series of reports about Ontario zoos has been released by wildlife protection organization Zoocheck Canada. The latest report highlights problems at Guha's Lions and Tigers near Bracebridge, Ontario.

The review of Guha's Lions and Tigers was conducted by Else Poulsen, a zoo veteran with more than two decades of experience in major zoological facilities. She identified numerous problems including:

• Overly simplistic, sometimes poorly constructed, cages and enclosures.
• Lack of appropriate amounts of space.
• Barren hardpan floor surfaces.
• Lack of adequate shelter and privacy from public viewing.
• Lack of structural enhancements, furnishings and/or enrichment programming to encourage species-typical movements and behaviours.
• Lack of potable water.
• Lack of standard safety features, such as double-door entry gates and shift areas.
• Volunteers entering cages housing potentially dangerous animals.

According to Rob Laidlaw, Zoocheck Canada director, "This report shows that Guha's is problematic in many respects and needs considerable improvement. Some of their problems are easily rectified, while others are going to require a lot of effort."

While the report highlights conditions at Guha's Lions and Tigers on August 23, 2006, it also calls on the provincial government to do something about the longstanding zoo animal welfare and safety problems in zoos throughout the province that were first brought to their attention nearly 20 years ago.

Ontario has no official policy, rules or regulations governing exotic animal housing and safety in zoos and private wildlife collections, even when highly dangerous species are being kept. Anyone in Ontario can acquire exotic animals, build whatever cages they want and show animals to the public regardless of their experience, expertise or financing.

”This issue has been ongoing since the early 1980s. It's time that zoos were required to bring themselves up to a humane, professional standard or close. A new Private Members Bill introduced by MPP David Zimmer has just been put forward to deal with this issue. I hope area MPPs will be supporting it, " said Laidlaw.

Click here to view the report. Click here to view images and video footage.