Exotic animal incidents and issues in Ontario
One armed baboon escapes home up north, bites local resident (Orillia Matters, Dec 9, 2023)
Escaped kangaroo punches police officer before Oshawa capture (CBC, December 4, 2023)
Police warn of escaped African serval cat, say it can attack pets (Global News, Oct 25, 2023)
African serval cat still missing, it was wrong cat (Sarnia Observer, June 7, 2023)
‘They would roar and roar’: Grand Bend residents glad to see exotic animals ordered out (CTV, June 1, 2020)
Roaring Cat Retreat braces for the possible seizure of big cats by town officials (CBC, Feb 4, 2020)
Court documents reveal what town officials won’t say publicly about Roaring Cat Retreat (CBC, Nov 26, 2019)
A pair of lion cubs escaped from Roaring Cat Retreat in Grand Bend (CBC, Nov 1, 2019)
Wolf escapes nature park in Sault (Sudbury Star, March 27, 2018)
Monkey on the loose in Innisfil (Barrie Today, July 3, 2016)
Lion found wandering on Wainfleet Road (Hamilton Spectator Nov 29, 2017)
Lion shot dead after escaping Papanack Zoo enclosure (CBC Feb 29, 2016)
Lion nearly makes clean getaway from Guha’s (Huntsville Forester, Aug 15, 2012)
Why the mystery of Muskoka’s escaped cougar many never be solved (Toronto Star, Aug 5, 2012)
Ontario man killed by tiger he kept on his property (CTV News, Jan 10, 2010)
Panther warning sounded in south Niagara (Niagara This Week, Oct 21, 2008)
Jaguar shot after escape from sanctuary (Toronto Star, Feb 13, 2008)
Willy the bear’s no-so-great escape (Globe and Mail, Aug 9, 2007)
Tiger attack costs Ontario game park $2.5 million (Globe and Mail, Jan 28, 2005)
Escaped lions put on show in Ontario neighbourhood prowl has peaceful ending (Buffalo News Aug 16, 1994)
Student Student worker has arm bitten off at private zoo – 1000 Islands (misc documents) (1991)
REPORTS & MEDIA ARTICLES ABOUT EXOTIC ANIMAL ISSUES/ PROBLEMS IN ONTARIO
Nothing New at the Zoo, Increased Oversight and Regulations Needed to Protect Captive Wildlife in Ontario (World Animal Protection, 2022)
A Review of Zoos in Ontario, Has Anything Changed? (Zoocheck, 2010)
Hastings County pushing province to enact exotic animal rules (Quinte News, March 16, 2021)
Exotic animal bylaw being considered for Highlands East (The Echo, Jan 27, 2021)
Highlands East to reign in exotic animals (Toronto Star, Jan 21, 2021)
Roadside zoos threaten public safety, says Zoocheck (Bancroft This Week, Jan 4, 2021)
Community voices opposition to use of exotic animals for entertainment The Bancroft Times, Nov. 25, 2020
Tigers and Lions in Rural Ontario HYBLA MINUTE podcast (Nov 17, 2020)
Their zoo dreams spurned, Grand Bend’s big cat couple set their sights on a new town (CBC News, Nov 13, 2020)
Big cat owners move to Maynooth after fight with Lambton Shores (My Bancroft Now, Nov 13, 2020)
‘They would roar and roar’: Grand Bend residents glad to see exotic animals ordered out (CTV, June 1, 2020)
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY INTERACTIONS INFORMATION
International Society for Animal Assisted Therapy Recommended Species List (2017)
ZOO ACCREDITATION
CAZA Accreditation Process Guide (excerpts concerning 1st time accreditation applicants) (Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, 2020)
LEGAL – ONTARIO LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Wild Animals and Strict Liability, The African Lion Safari Case (2015) Article about legalities regarding tiger attack on two individuals at African Lion Safari, Ontario
Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (Ontario)
ZOONOSES (DISEASE) RISKS POSED BY EXOTIC ANIMALS
Recommendations For The Management Of Animals In Child Care Settings Ontario Ministry of Health 2018
Recommendations to Prevent Disease and Injury Associated with Petting Zoos in Ontario 2011
Visiting Animals In Public Settings Durham Region Health Dept 2021
Animals in Child Care Centres Durham Region Health Dept 2021
CAPTIVE WILDLIFE/ FACILITY SAFETY INFORMATION
Emergency Behaviour Strategies, Handling Attacks or Aggression in Multiple Species (1999) From Resources for Crisis Management for Zoos and Other Animal Care Facilities, American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Escaped Animal Drills, Are They Worth It? (1999) From Resources for Crisis Management for Zoos and Other Animal Care Facilities, American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Petition for Rulemaking To Prohibit Public Contact with Big Cats, Bears and Nonhuman Primates (2013) A petition from leading animal protection organizations and captive wildlife facilties to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Wild Neighbours, The Safety and Security of Ontario’s Wildlife in Captivity Facilities (2010) Zoocheck/World Animal Protection
BIAZA Health and Safety Guidelines for Aquariums and Zoos (2020)
Large Snake Handling – Excerpts from various publications & online sources
Camel bites and tramples worker to death (MailOnline Jan 23, 2023)
HUSBANDRY INFORMATION AND ZOO STANDARDS
Ambassador Animal Guidelines, Serval Association of Zoos and Aquariums (2021).
Husbandry Guidelines for Eurasian Lynx European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (2004)
Husbandry Guidelines for Arabian Camel (2008)
Standards for Caniform Sanctuaries (2019) Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Standards for Prosimian Sanctuaries (2019) Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Challenges of Zoo Animal Welfare From Wild Mammals in Captivity, 2010