News Release

September 5, 2006

Ministry of Natural Resources Doesn't Enforce Own Rules

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is disappointed with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) response to their zoo complaints.  The WSPA submitted a 10 page complaint on July 5, 2006 highlighting the deplorable and disgusting conditions native animals endure at four southwestern zoos (Lickety Split Zoo, Greenview Aviaries Park and Zoo, Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens and Pineridge Zoo).

“We’re disgusted that the MNR considers a fox in a box an appropriate environment for our native wildlife,” said Melissa Tkachyk, Campaigns Officer.  “Clearly they’re not concerned how animals are cared for within Ontario zoos.”

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act states: “Animals enclosures in which animals are on public display should be of a size which enables animals to:

1. Exercise natural behaviours to facilitate public education and interpretation.
2. Achieve a distance from the public and other specimens at which the animals are not psychologically or physically stressed.
3. Achieve a full range of body movement and physical movements normally performed.”

The MNR response to our complaint: “no violations of the current conditions relating to animal enclosures were identified.”

WSPA is appalled by this response.  “Why can’t the MNR see what visitors have been complaining about for years?  Since this story was reported on in July, people have been writing letters to us, the government and the newspapers voicing their concern,” said Tkachyk.

Through WPSA’s investigation, it found the fox at Lickety Split had no room to run and no place to escape.  At Greenview Aviaries, three bobcats were kept in a small cage with patio blocks and again no room to run.  At Pineridge, some of the cages weren’t locked and visitors could reach into the cages of dangerous animals.  This is an issue the MNR didn’t even address in its letter.  Is the public’s safety not a concern to our government?

WSPA is calling on the Premier and MPP’s to fix this problem because the MNR isn’t fit for the job. 

For more information:
Celecia Partap
Media Manager
Office (416) 369-0044
Cell (416) 526-4743

Video from three of the four zoos in question

Lickety-Split, London

WMV file, 10.4 MB

Pineridge Zoo, Grand Bend

WMV file, 6.2 MB

Greenview Aviaries Park and Zoo, Ridgetown

WMV file, 12.2 MB

More video footage of Pineridge Zoo

Monkey pacing - WMV file, 1 MB

Public safety risks - WMV file, 1.3 MB

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Click here to find out how

Check out WSPA's Canadian website.

www.wspa.ca

Find out more about WSPA's work worldwide.

www.wspa-international.org