An animal welfare organization is taking aim at a local roadside zoo.
In its “Nothing New at the Zoo” report, the World Animal Protection is raising concerns about 11 zoos across the province, including Greenview Aviaries in Morpeth.
“The lack of enforcement of what little regulation exists for these facilities is deeply concerning,” said World Animal Protection Campaign Manager Michèle Hamers. “This wild-west, patchwork system that has been in place for years just doesn’t work, and we know that – it needs an overhaul to protect the public and captive wildlife.”
The organization says a June 29th inspection raised concerns about instances of potential non-compliance with the Standards of Care Regulations established under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act.
The accusations include fencing of both the lion and tiger enclosures not meeting basic safety standards.
A complaint was submitted to the PAWS Inspectorate raising concerns over standards of care for captive wildlife, and basic standards of care for a variety of animals at the Greenview Aviaries Park & Zoo, including, but not limited to:
- Unsafe interactions between the public and primates (ring-tailed lemurs)
- The keeping of primates in undersized enclosures, inhibiting the animals from engaging in their full range of natural behaviours.
- Standards of care for captive wildlife concerns for:
Ring-tailed lemur
Tigers
Lions
Monkey-enclosures
Flamingoes - Basic standards of care
Japanese macaque
Alpaca
Dove
Chicken
Caiman
Green Iguana
Red-footed tortoise
Sulcata tortoise
World Animal Protection is calling for a full PAWS investigation, and better provincial regulations for roadside zoos across Ontario.
“We actively encourage the PAWS Inspectorate to investigate our complaints immediately,” added Hamers. “A thorough review of all facilities is needed immediately to identify other possible violations – and to take appropriate measures to address them to protect both the public and the animals.”
Greenview Aviaries came under new ownership on June 1st, just a few weeks before the World Animal Protection investigation.
Alicia Patten told reporters earlier this summer she and her husband Rob had already begun making improvements to the park and had plans to improve the enclosure for the big cats, among other changes.