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Animals at B.C. zoo suffer BԪַboredom and frustration,BԪַ humane society says

Report calls on Metro Vancouver zoo to upgrade enclosures, stop housing animals BԪַunsuitedBԪַ to B.C.
19973680_web1_191230-LAT-Humane-society-GV-Zoo-report_2
Squirrel monkeys from the Amazon Basin are among the animals on display at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove. A report released Monday (Dec. 30) by the Vancouver Humane Society said the zoo should move away from species BԪַunsuitedBԪַ to the B.C. climate. (Langley Advance Times file)

Many animals at the in Greater Vancouver are living in BԪַbarren, under-sized cages and enclosures that restrict them from engaging in natural behaviours,BԪַ according to a report released Monday (Dec. 30) by the .

It calls on the Aldergrove zoo to improve conditions for its animals and to move away from BԪַkeeping animals unsuited to B.C.BԪַs climate.BԪַ

It was prepared for the society by , a Canadian-based international wildlife protection charity, based on BԪַissues identified during three separate visits.BԪַ

In the report, Zoocheck noted there have been improvements since the charity began issuing reports on the Greater Vancouver Zoo beginning in 1997, stating the zoo seems to have made a number of BԪַsignificant, very positive, changesBԪַ but adding BԪַsome longstanding issues remain problematic and should be addressed.BԪַ

BԪַThey include, but are not limited to, lack of space for certain species, lack of appropriate environmental conditions, lack of environmental and behavioural enrichment, lack of shelter and privacy areas, lack of proper social contexts, excess ground water and water logging of enclosure substrates.BԪַ

Vancouver Humane Society spokesperson Peter Fricker said the zoo doesnBԪַt provide animals with a stimulating environment that allows natural activities such as climbing, foraging or digging.

BԪַThe main issue is a lack of enrichment,BԪַ Fricker told Black Press.

Given the amount of space available on the 120-acre site, Fricker said the zoo should build larger enclosures with more for animals to do, BԪַto alleviate boredom and frustration.BԪַ

In the longer term, he said, the zoo needs to stop keeping captive animals for entertainment and move toward being a sanctuary for native wildlife.

Fricker said the the zooBԪַs giraffe enclosure hasnBԪַt been changed since a 2003 Zoocheck report described it as BԪַbarren and lacking in any stimulation for the animals to engage in natural behaviours.BԪַ

In the new report, Zoocheck said that giraffes are not suited to B.C.s climate and suggested the zoo consider constructing a new, larger and climate-controlled enclosure or relocating the giraffes to a BԪַmore species-appropriate facility elsewhere.BԪַ

The report cites the zooBԪַs raptor exhibit as an example of an undersized enclosure that denies natural behaviours, because it provides BԪַlittle or no ability for the birds to engage in flight.BԪַ

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The Zoocheck report also found that reptiles were being kept in BԪַvery restricted circumstancesBԪַ with BԪַminimalBԪַ space.

The hippopotamus enclosure was criticized for BԪַlacking any vegetation and or enrichment elementsBԪַ and the indoor holding facility was described as BԪַsmall and not suitable for the permanent keeping of these animals.BԪַ

The zooBԪַs lone red fox should be found a companion or be sent to a facility that can meet its social requirements, the report said.

Squirrel monkeys and coatimundi, it said, were in small enclosures and should be moved to more appropriate accommodation.

Fricker said the report was sent to the zoo, which did not respond.

BԪַWe would hope the zoo would pay attention,BԪַ Fricker commented.

Black Press has reached out to the Greater Vancouver Zoo for a response.

The zoo was called the Vancouver Game Farm when it first opened on Aug. 20, 1970, and operated as a family business by Pat Hines and his wife Ann, then their daughter Eleanor and husband Hugh Oakes until it was sold to new owners in 1991.

The Game Farm then became known as the Greater Vancouver Zoological Centre, adding new animal enclosures, the miniature train, picnic park and other features.

In 1999, the name changed again to the Greater Vancouver Zoo.

It is the largest facility of its kind in B.C. and houses more than 140 wild and exotic animals including lions, a tiger, cheetah, giraffe and hippos.

It also contributes to conservation efforts on various fronts including work to build back the population of the spotted frog and the Western painted turtle.

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Over the years, the zoo has faced controversy over the untimely death of some giraffes and the treatment of one of its hippos.

An outdoor enclosure was built for the hippo, including a large pond, after the criticism.

There have been protests by animal rights activists at the zoo from time to time.



dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

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19973680_web1_copy_191230-LAT-Humane-society-GV-Zoo-report_1
A giraffe at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove. A report released Monday (Dec. 30) by the Vancouver Humane Society said the giraffe enclosure has not been improved since a 2003 report that called it BԪַbarren and lacking in any stimulation.BԪַ (Langley Advance Times file)


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, IBԪַm the guy youBԪַll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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