News Release
August 31 , 2006
Ontario Zoo not a Sanctuary but an Asylum
Click here to view 15 minute video of conditions
at this zoo (58 MB .wmv).
Northwood Buffalo and Exotic Animal Ranch claims it’s a sanctuary for over 100 animals. But after investigating this zoo, the World Society for the Protection of Animals has evidence that animals are going nuts by being locked in small barren cages; similar to a human asylum.
“Out of 11 zoos investigations this summer, Northwood is the worst when it comes to animals showing psychological disturbances,” said Melissa Tkachyk, WSPA Campaigns Officer.
The tigers, serval cats and cougars paced back and forth on hard dirt floors. This pacing is a sign there’s a lack of stimulation. Tigers normally climb, swim and run in the wild, yet none of these activities were provided for these felines.
The primates were also kept in deplorable conditions. A lone monkey rocked back and forth in a wire cage that was barely an improvement to life in a test lab while a baboon raced back and forth along its barren cage. Monkeys were kept on a concrete floor which can be uncomfortable for the animals and eventually lead to injury.
Norman Phillips, owner of Northwood, claims his sanctuary is dedicated to providing a clean, safe, and loving environment. This so called sanctuary isn’t safe for the animals or visitors. People are able to reach into the cages and touch lions, owls and bears.
With no government regulations to protect the public, visitors health and safety are at risk and should be a major concern for our parliament. Also, the Province doesn’t require owners to have a permit to keep lions, tigers or monkeys in their backyard. These are some of the worst standards in Canada.
WSPA has submitted complaints to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and to the Ministry of Natural Resources highlighting the appalling conditions at Northwood. WSPA wants the Ontario government to implement regulations by 2007 which would force all zoos to operate at professional standards or be closed.
Photos
This tiger was housed in a small cage with a hard floor. It had no
privacy and no shade. Aside from a few logs and a plastic toy,
the exhibit was barren. The cat just had a small, dirty water bowl
to drink from.
Two Siberian lynx were in a small barren exhibit with no room to
run. As there was no stand-off barrier in place, a child could
easily put their hands in the cage.
Many of the animals are housed on hard floors in small, barren cages.
The eagles and other raptors kept at this zoo have no room to fly
and few places to perch.
An Amur leopard housed in a barren cage with a concrete floor.
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