Media Release
6 July, 2006
London Zoo among the worst in the country
"Tyson" the Kangaroo suffers while the Ontario government shurgs responsibility
(London, ON) The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) investigated three southwestern Ontario zoos this June. It observed Lickety Split Zoo (London), Greenview Aviaries Park and Zoo (Ridgetown) and Pineridge Zoo (Grand Bend), to see if improvements have been made since last year’s investigation. Sadly, very little has changed since the 2005 audit where zoo expert, Dr. Ken Gold gave all three zoos a failing grade.
“The animals are still living in deplorable conditions and the public’s safety is at risk,” says Melissa Tkachyk (ta-caw-chick), WSPA Campaigns Officer. “We were appalled by what we saw. There were animals with cuts all over them, a baby monkey eating fruit loops on a stone floor, a horse with overgrown and cracked hooves, birds pecking each others feathers out, and many unsafe cages; some weren’t even locked.”
Lickety Split Zoo and Pine Ridge Zoo are among the worst zoos in the country and should be shut down. One of the worst examples of animal suffering involves a kangaroo named Tyson at Lickety Split Zoo. He lives in a small, barren enclosure approximately 2.5 by 3 meters with only a metal shed to sleep in.
“This is an unacceptable enclosure for an animal that in the wild could easily cover 3 m in just one hop,” says Tkachyk.
In May, the BC SPCA laid charges against the Greater Vancouver Zoo for allegedly failing to provide proper housing for Hazina, a baby hippo. The WSPA says the conditions Tyson is living in are equally appalling.
“Hazina had no room to swim; Tyson has no room to hop,” says Tkachyk. “While Hazina has moved to a bigger exhibit with a larger pool, Tyson will likely live out the rest of his captive life in the same small enclosure because the Ontario government refuses to put laws in place to protect exotic animals.”
The WSPA is lobbying the Ontario provincial government for zoo standards by 2007.
Contact:
Celecia Partap
Media Manager
Cell: 416-526-4743
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