CAPS call for closure of Cleethorpes zoo
CAPS has called for the closure of a zoo in Cleethorpes after an investigation highlighted numerous animal welfare and public safety concerns. Following a number of complaints by members of the public about conditions at the Jungle Zoo in the seaside town, a CAPS investigator visited the establishment and submitted a report to the council. Many sections of the zoo were extremely basic. Most birds were housed indoors in small enclosures, without access to outdoors. Some of the Senegal parrots showed signs of feather plucking, suggesting behavioural problems. Regardless of the size of the individual reptiles, their tanks were all too small to allow for normal behavioural and physical needs. Many of the snakes (large and small) were unable to fully uncoil due to the small space and water bowls were far too small for them to bathe. While the zoo consistently refers to its newer spectacled caiman enclosure in an attempt to claim its animal housing is acceptable, CAPS found two younger caimans in an appalling old enclosure with a tiny pool; there is no excuse for keeping animals in such conditions. Capuchin monkeys and lemurs were in small enclosures outside, with concrete floors. The two capuchins were kept separately. There appeared to be little or no thought about the needs of the animals in terms of sociability, enrichment or the requirement to fulfil normal physical and behavioural needs. The lemur enclosure was open to elements, with no shelter in bad weather, meaning the primates would have to stay in the small indoor section. Goats and hens were also in enclosures with concrete floors. Again, there is no excuse for this and the welfare of the animals is more important than making it easy for the staff to clean enclosures. Health and safety: CAPS has often highlighted safety risks to the public from visiting zoos, particularly where there are disease risks or people can have direct contact with animals. Virtually all enclosures were without stand-off barriers, required to prevent injury to people and animals caused by unauthorised contact. They can also help reduce distress to the animals by keeping people away. Many of the birds kept at the zoo, such as the larger parrots, are capable of inflicting serious bites to people. Without barriers keeping people away from the cages, visitors could, and did, put their fingers through the wire to try and touch the birds. Only one warning sign was noticed about people being careful of birds biting but this was in a position that made it easy to miss. The only stand-off barriers were on the two capuchin enclosures. However, they were too close to the cage. People were seen leaning over them and could reach the enclosure – one woman was seen holding a capuchin’s hand. Some of the parrot cages were not locked properly. On one a padlock was not clasped shut. On others the cages could be opened where the food trays are. The military macaw enclosure had a gap which would allow someone to put their hand through. Education: All zoos face a problem with educating the public, given that the animals are in unnatural environments, social groups, climates etc. One main problem at the Jungle Zoo is that lots of enclosures did not even have basic signs identifying the species or giving simple details such as country of origin, natural habitat, etc. Most of the outside bird enclosures, and many of the reptile tanks, did not have signs. Where signs did exist they were sometimes in a poor state due to rain. Zoo licensing legislation: It is the view of CAPS that the Jungle Zoo fails to meet many of the standards required under zoo licensing legislation, including: Provision of a suitable environment; provision of animal health care; provision of opportunity to express most normal behaviour; public safety. Zoo licences last for six years and zoos must be inspected every year by the local authority (which issues the licence). A government zoo inspector, visiting the Jungle Zoo in 2000, recommended that the zoo’s licence be renewed “despite a large number of defects” subject to the condition that the owners “produce a detailed and costed plan for the development of the zoo.” Returning in 2006, the inspector again referred to the “considerable number of defects” at the zoo. Shockingly the report refers to the fact that “although these were highlighted during the inspection of 2000, the problems have not been followed up by the local council and in the intervening six years these problems have become magnified and solutions are now becoming urgent.” As far as CAPS can discover, the local council did not carry out any zoo licensing inspections of the establishment between 2000 and 2006, and only one health and safety inspection (in 2004). Despite the zoo’s insistence that conditions were acceptable, the new collection plan for the zoo, which the government inspector made a condition of the licence, requires the zoo to reduce the number of reptiles by 60% and parrots by 40% and enlargement of aviaries with added enrichment. Sadly the primates all miss out on improvements to their conditions. CAPS is continuing to lobby North East Lincolnshire Council for the closure of the zoo and encourages the public to avoid visiting zoos altogether. What you can do:
Photographs © CAPS |
