Media Release
Environment Commissioner Slams Ministry of
Natural Resources for Neglecting Wildlife
(Toronto, ON) In his Annual Report ‘Neglecting
our Obligations’ released today, the Environment
Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) criticized the government
for failing to protect wildlife and ignoring serious
public safety risks in zoos. The criticisms are in response
to an application filed by the World Society for the
Protection of Animals (WSPA) requesting a review of
captive wildlife regulations.
Under the Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Act the
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for
zoos, but WSPA charges the governing regulations are
the weakest in the country.
Key arguments from WSPA’s application:
• Anyone can open a zoo. There are 45 zoos in
Ontario; more than any other province. No training or
funding is required to open a zoo
• There are no mandatory standards for the proper
care and housing of captive wildlife
• A license is only needed to keep some native
wildlife in captivity and the conditions are minimal,
vague and poorly enforced
• There are no regulations for keeping exotic
wildlife in captivity
• No government agency inspects zoos for safety
In his report, the ECO agreed with WSPA, “There
are clearly large regulatory gaps and overlaps in Ontario’s
zoo licensing regime, including the regulation of exotic
species, public safety and animal welfare.”
“Even the limited regulations we have are not
being enforced,” said Melissa Tkachyk, WSPA Campaigns
Officer. “The MNR is neglecting its obligations
to protect native wildlife in captivity.”
In a letter to WSPA, the MNR rejected the need to review
its zoo regulations claiming, “the public’s
interest does not warrant a review.”
WSPA was shocked by this response. “If people
knew the government was licensing unsafe roadside zoos
that don’t care for their animals, they would
support mandatory standards.”
In the last year, at least six animals have escaped
in Ontario. “If an animal escapes it could have
major environmental repercussions,” said Tkachyk.
“Not only would it threaten the safety of a community,
but the escaped animal could threaten the genetic integrity
of wild animal populations and spread disease.”
WSPA is also concerned the current regulations don’t
apply to exotic wildlife. “It’s absurd for
the MNR to be issuing licenses for keeping raccoons
and beavers in zoos but not lions and tigers,”
said Tkachyk. “How can this government defend
zoo regulations that only apply to 1/3 of the animals?”
“The ECO believes that for the protection of
wildlife, the environment and the public, there must
be one key agency responsible for all aspects of zoo
regulation, and that agency should be MNR.”
With the Commissioner’s weight behind WSPA, the
animal welfare group hopes the Ministry of Natural Resources
will finally strengthen its zoo regulations.
The ECO's comments on zoo regulations can be found
on pages 150-154 of his 2005/2006
Annual Report, Neglecting our Obligations.
|
Media Release 
