News Release
August 3, 2006
Jungle Fever in Ontario Zoos
Animals suffer in heat while the government is cool to implement new standards
The heat wave in Southern Ontario is not only affecting humans, but also our friends from the animal kingdom. After visiting Elmvale Jungle Zoo, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) says animals are kept in small, barren enclosures; some with minimal shade to protect them from the hot sun.
These animals are suffering in the sweltering heat because the provincial government is slow to implement zoo standards in Ontario. With few regulations, it’s not surprising there are more roadside zoos in Ontario than anywhere else in the country. More than 40 zoos are known to exist and most of these pose a safety risk to the public and cause suffering to animals.
A prime example of cruelty is the serval cat exhibit at Elmvale Jungle Zoo. These felines feel secure in a tree when threatened and their spotted coat helps them camouflage; unfortunately this cat doesn’t have anywhere to go for refuge. In the wild, these nocturnal cats prefer to live near streams, but there was no water and very little shade. Serval cats are fast runners, good jumpers and climbers but the small exhibit restricts it from behaving as it would in the wild.
The majority of animals at Elmvale Jungle Zoo are exotic, so under the current provincial law the owner doesn’t need a license to keep these animals in captivity. That means these animals will continue to suffer in these conditions and the public’s safety remains at risk until the government makes a change.
WSPA has submitted complaints to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and to the Ministry of Natural Resources. WSPA is asking the Ontario government to implement regulations by 2007, which would force all zoos to operate at a professional standard or be closed.
WSPA is an animal welfare charity organization that works internationally and locally to end cruelty to animals through field work, campaigning, and education. WSPA is the world's largest federation of humane societies and animal protection organizations; we represent over 660 member societies in more than 140 countries.
For more information:
Celecia Partap
Media Manager
Office (416) 369-0044
Cell (416) 526-4743
www.wspa.ca
Photos
This lion has found the only shade in its small, barren enclosure.
It is housed on a hard dirt floor, which can be uncomfortable,
especially
when it gets really hot.
The Serval Cat exhibit was far too small for this swift runner. There was
very little shade and privacy for this nocturnal feline. It paced back
and forth along the side of its enclosure; a common indication of psychological disturbance.
Some of the giraffes have chipped and overgrown hooves.
The spaces within the fence were large enough for the deer to put
their heads right through in search of a treat. The public is encouraged
to feed the animals at this zoo. Excessive and unrestricted feeding
can lead to obesity as well as aggressive competition among
cagemates and begging behaviour.
A mandrill was housed alone in a small, dirty exhibit. As mandrills
are social animals that can live in groups of 50 in the wild, the
exhibit should be designed to offer more stimulation.
Video
Video of exhibits at Elmvale Zoo, recorded July 2, 2006 - .mp4 format, 25.3 MB
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Media Release 
