Ontario ranked very last in Canada for roadside zoos

Ontario has “weak and non-existent regulations” when it arrives to roadside zoos, a new report card by Entire world Animal Defense Canada has located.

The report card, which was produced on Tuesday morning, ranks Ontario very last between Canada’s 10 provinces.

“In Ontario, you never need abilities, a explanation or a licence to run a zoo or get perilous animals like a tiger or lion,” Michèle Hamers, World Animal Protection’s Wildlife Campaign Manager, said in a assertion.

World Animal Security Canada, a non-profit business whose headquarters are in Toronto, discovered Ontario does not have a provincial zoo licencing system and does not demand permits for non-indigenous wildlife. There are also no prerequisites for liability insurance policy for zoo operators.

“We are pushing the province to put into action what other provinces like Alberta and Quebec have completed now,” Hamers reported.

“We want to see a required province-wide zoo licensing program and meaningful and enforceable benchmarks to safeguard animal welfare and general public wellbeing and protection.”

Entire world Animal Defense has prolonged campaigned for the banning of private ownership of wild animals and the section out of roadside zoos. They estimate there are about 30 roadside zoos in Ontario.

A 2022 general public report noted fears about undersized and bad enclosures at these amenities, which could direct to animal escapes as properly as impression the behaviour of the animals. They also expressed problem about inadequate conditions and solitary confinement of social animals.

Contrary to bigger zoos—such as the Toronto Zoo, which is accredited with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums—roadside institutions are privately owned and operated. They ordinarily showcase unique wild animals that are bred or obtained from other zoos or private collectors.

A tiger is witnessed in an enclosure at Greenview Aviaries Park and Zoo. (Environment Animal Protection)

A well known illustration is Jungle Cat Planet, situated in Clarington, Ont. about 100 km east of downtown Toronto.

In March, a Quebec lady checking out Ontario told CTV News Toronto she was stunned to see a lion as a result of a chain-connection fence though strolling her puppy late at evening.

The enclosure was situated up coming to Concession Highway, across the avenue from a gas station and a nearby restaurant. An inspection of the facility at the time showed there was no risk to community safety.

A lion powering a fence at Jungle Cat Entire world in Clarington, Ont. as witnessed in a video posted to social media on March 8 (Patlapetite).&#13

Hamers extra there is also no tracking method for roadside zoos or the animals that can be discovered there.

“Our ongoing do the job has been driving the province to start investigations at these facilities,” Hamers extra. “But the patchwork system, where non-compliance is the norm, requirements to quit, after and for all.”

When asked about the absence of regulation on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford claimed it was the “initial time I have listened to about the roadside zoos” and he would appear into it.

In a assertion to CTV News Toronto, Hunter Kell, a spokesperson for the Solicitor Common, reported the province has the “strongest penalties and initially enforcement system of its variety in the complete country.” 

“This authorities introduced and handed the Provincial Animal Welfare Companies (PAWS) Act to make sure a strong, tranparent and accountable process to protect animals together with these in zoos,” the assertion reads, including their are around 100 inspectors across the province searching to retain animals secure. 

“Of animals held by corporations, firms or people, a overall of 7,600 orders were produced, in excess of 600 expenses ended up laid and about 5,200 animals ahve been eradicated from conditions negatively impacting their welfare due to the fact January 2020.”

As for roadside zoos, the Solicitor General’s office environment explained if a single is “discovered not in compliance,” they will not wait to situation orders versus people included and confiscate the animals.