News
HUMANS HAVE DUTY TO ENSURE ANIMAL CARE
The London Free Press
Thursday, August 24, 2006
A11
Editorial/Opinion
DAVE RICHIE, FREELANCE WRITER
Greenview Aviaries Park and Zoo in Morpeth has received a failing grade from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) for the second year in a row.
This summer, the organization claimed Greenview and two other Southwestern Ontario zoos had under-par conditions for their animals. At the time of the report, owners of the South Kent animal emporium were making no comment, other than "I don't care."
But that doesn't mean the owners weren't going to put any more money into improving the facility.
In fact, conditions have been enhanced; at least for visitors on hot and humid days.
A new $157,000 splash pad, complete with mushroom falls, dumping buckets and sunflower sprinklers, has been installed to keep paying visitors at the park a little longer during heat waves.
I'm not sure the WSPA feels its efforts are appreciated when it releases a report detailing the sub-par treatment of animals and the response is the addition of a miniature water park for humans.
Now, I'm not saying the WSPA is completely correct for issuing a failing grade; many times groups such as this tend to go overboard in their scathing evaluations.
When the report was first released, I was quite shocked that Greenview had received a poor review; after all, I've been there at least once a year since I was a child and never considered that the animals might be unhappy.
But after considering the validity of their claims, the WSPA does offer something to think about. I'm no authority on animals, but there are a few instances that should be examined.
When first entering the zoo portion at Greenview, there are some cages along the pathway containing mostly rabbits. These cages look typical, with walls made of wire. However, the bottoms of the cages are also made of that same wire and pattern, meaning the rabbits must walk around on the metal mesh rather than a surface flush in all spots.
Then, one has to consider the living quarters of the jaguar.
The jaguar lives in a cage that doesn't allow it to run, roam or get out of the view of spectators if it wants. The lions, tigers and bears all have massive suites where they can run and find sanctuary from the droves of gawking people.
Why is the jaguar so cramped? In fact, last year, there were two jaguars living in that same cage.
There's another example that pops into my mind. At Greenview, the cages that house monkeys, apes and all the other similar animals have gravel bottoms. I don't think the jungles or wherever else these species inhabit have grounds exclusively covered in stone.
One has to wonder how happy the animals are. During a visit earlier this summer, I was shocked (but mostly disappointed) by the large number of animals that had retreated to their "hiding areas" -- if they had one. I'm not sure if that signals their temperament, but I think it could be an indicator.
I don't mean to make the owners of Greenview sound like villains; I think for the most part they probably do a good job with these animals.
But to shrug off a report such as WSPA's with such a nonchalant attitudes shows arrogance.
I don't think it would bruise any of the owners' egos to say, "We think the animals are happy, but we'll look into it."
It is important that the Ontario government enact some sort of guidelines for roadside zoos such as Greenview to follow -- and as soon as possible.
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