Many animals at the in Greater Vancouver are living in 香蕉视频直播渂arren, under-sized cages and enclosures that restrict them from engaging in natural behaviours,香蕉视频直播� 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 香蕉视频直播渒eeping animals unsuited to B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 climate.香蕉视频直播�

It was prepared for the society by , a Canadian-based international wildlife protection charity, based on 香蕉视频直播渋ssues identified during three separate visits.香蕉视频直播�

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 香蕉视频直播渟ignificant, very positive, changes香蕉视频直播� but adding 香蕉视频直播渟ome longstanding issues remain problematic and should be addressed.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭hey 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.香蕉视频直播�

Vancouver Humane Society spokesperson Peter Fricker said the zoo doesn香蕉视频直播檛 provide animals with a stimulating environment that allows natural activities such as climbing, foraging or digging.

香蕉视频直播淭he main issue is a lack of enrichment,香蕉视频直播� 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, 香蕉视频直播渢o alleviate boredom and frustration.香蕉视频直播�

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 zoo香蕉视频直播檚 giraffe enclosure hasn香蕉视频直播檛 been changed since a 2003 Zoocheck report described it as 香蕉视频直播渂arren and lacking in any stimulation for the animals to engage in natural behaviours.香蕉视频直播�

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 香蕉视频直播渕ore species-appropriate facility elsewhere.香蕉视频直播�

The report cites the zoo香蕉视频直播檚 raptor exhibit as an example of an undersized enclosure that denies natural behaviours, because it provides 香蕉视频直播渓ittle or no ability for the birds to engage in flight.香蕉视频直播�

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The Zoocheck report also found that reptiles were being kept in 香蕉视频直播渧ery restricted circumstances香蕉视频直播� with 香蕉视频直播渕inimal香蕉视频直播� space.

The hippopotamus enclosure was criticized for 香蕉视频直播渓acking any vegetation and or enrichment elements香蕉视频直播� and the indoor holding facility was described as 香蕉视频直播渟mall and not suitable for the permanent keeping of these animals.香蕉视频直播�

The zoo香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淲e would hope the zoo would pay attention,香蕉视频直播� 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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