An investigation into allegations of serious animal
welfare issues at a Wraxall zoo farm has been
completed.
The Captive Animal Protection Society had alleged that there
were serious animal welfare problems at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in
Clevedon Road, Wraxall.
Local authority inspectors from North Somerset Council, which
licenses the attraction, accompanied by two zoo inspectors spent a
day at the zoo farm investigating the allegations. They interviewed
the proprietor and his staff, examined zoo records and carried out
an inspection of the animal enclosures.
The zoo inspectors say that the allegations of cruelty were
grossly unfair.
There were some failures to comply with the Secretary of States
Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.
As a result of this visit a number of additional conditions are
to be attached to the farm’s existing zoo licence to ensure there
is improved compliance with the relevant standards.
The council's executive member whose portfolio includes zoo
licensing, Cllr Peter Bryant, said: "The Captive Animal Protection
Society made a total of 16 allegations into the running of and
practices at Noah's Ark.
"These have all been investigated and the report concludes that
animals are generally well cared for by experienced and dedicated
people.
"The inspection has also found that there have been some clear
failures to comply with the appropriate standards. However, these
are not of such a magnitude as to warrant revocation of the
licence, but additional licence conditions are required. We are
imposing seven additional conditions to their licence.
"We look forward to working with the owner to ensure that the
zoo operates successfully, with all conditions fully complied
with."
The seven additional conditions are:
1. A post-mortem examination must be carried out on all
non-domestic animals dying in the collection, unless the zoo’s
official veterinary adviser states in writing that it is not
necessary; thus every death must be accounted for.
2. The zoo must notify the Licensing Authority within one week
of the death of any non-domesticated mammal in the collection, and
of any other non-domesticated animal larger than 0.5 kg.
3. The zoo must send to the Licensing Authority, at six-month
intervals, summary sheets listing animal deaths, where post-mortems
were carried out, and summary findings; these to be signed off by
the zoo’s veterinary surgeon.
4. No non-domesticated mammal or bird may be brought out of
their enclosures for display to the public (outdoor bird flying
display excepted).
5. The zoo’s vet must make a routine monthly visit at intervals
that are never greater than five weeks, and records kept to
document this; she must be asked to widen her involvement to
include oversight of all on-site animal-related areas.
6. The zoo must arrange regular one-day visits at six-monthly
intervals by one or more recognised zoo animal veterinarians (such
as one on the Secretary of State’s list of Zoo Inspectors, Part 1)
to work with the zoo’s vet and provide support across all areas; a
record and report of each such visit to be sent to the Licensing
Authority within a month after each visit.
7. The zoo must document the ownership of all of its animals,
and must accept full responsibility for every captive animal on its
premises regardless of who is the owner of that
animal.
