Noah Ark Zoo Farm in the clear over claims of animal cruelty
Noah'S Ark Zoo Farm has been cleared of allegations of animal cruelty.
In a report issued this week, inspectors from North Somerset Council, which licenses the attraction and two Secretary of State zoo inspectors, described the allegations of cruelty levied against the Wraxall zoo by animal rights campaigners as "grossly unfair".
In the seven-page report, inspectors said: "There is no doubt that the animals at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm are generally well-cared for, by experienced and dedicated people.
"Claims of cruelty, on the part of them or of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm generally, are in our view grossly unfair."
The inquiry was launched following a string of complaints about operations at the zoo farm by the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS).
CAPS made 16 allegations relating to cruelty and inadequate animal care after an undercover investigator secured work at the zoo last summer.
She also claimed that the zoo was in breach of animal disposal regulations following the death of female Bengal tiger Tira and that the zoo was breeding animals to be used in the Great British Circus, owned by Martin Lacey.
Inspectors dismissed claims that the farm had kept its relationship with the circus secret and said Mr Bush had broken no laws by sourcing animals from the firm Linctrek, also owned by Mr Lacey.
However, the inspectors said there were some failures by the zoo to comply with the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP). The failures relate to the disposal of Tira's body and the fact that a proper post-mortem examination was not carried out on the animal.
Concerns were also raised that corpses of tiger cubs were stored in a freezer alongside animal feed and that animals were being brought out of their enclosures to display to visitors.
In their report, the inspectors said: "There is also no doubt that there have been some clear failures to comply with the SSSMZP.
"The causes of the failures are varied, but in our view are quite capable of being addressed. The failures are not of such magnitude as to provide much support for calls for revocation of the zoo licence."
Owner and founder of Noah's Ark, Anthony Bush, said: "I am very happy for my dedicated team of staff that this matter is finally concluded.
"Animal rights campaigners have tried everything to tarnish our excellent reputation over the last six months.
"We are tired of this unwarranted opposition and delighted there is no justification for these actions."
North Somerset Council has now added seven conditions to the zoo's license to ensure improved compliance with SSSMZP standards.
These relate to ensuring post-mortems are carried out, all animal deaths are properly documented and that no animals should be brought out of their enclosures for public display. The conditions also state that the zoo's vet must visit every five weeks and that a zoo vet recognised by the SSSMZP must attend the farm and report back to the council every six months.
CAPS campaigns director, Craig Redmond, said: "We are surprised that the inspectors did not support some of our complaints and feel there may have been an over-reliance on some of the excuses provided by the zoo in these cases.
"CAPS continues to encourage people not to support the zoo and we will be working with other organisations to oppose any expansions such as the planned elephant enclosure."
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by Jon, Bristol
Friday, March 26 2010, 11:09AM
“Mufasa-
I think you've made your point several times now. The fact is most people here, including me don't share it.
Whether you like it or not, Noah's Ark has been shown by an indepth inspection by North Somerset officials and Secretary of State Zoo Inspectors to have good animal welfare and the high level of animal care is provided by "experienced and dedicated people" (i quote from the Report).
Lets make something clear in case its not- with regards to tigers the council found no problems with the size of the enclosures, transportation of a pregnant tiger, or care of her or her cubs. (Presumably you know- Tira was delivered to the zoo before less than 70% of her gestation period had elapsed, which is fine by SSMZP legislation).
There were some issues regarding post mortem and burial which have been rectified and the Council and Zoo Inspectors are satisfied.
None of these tiger issues were considered welfare issues by the council and all claims of cruelty and poor care made by CAPS and others were dismissed as "grossly unfair".
At the end of the day, when all is said and done- this is the fact of the matter: two Secretary of State listed Zoo Inspectors reached these conclusions. If you disagree, then that is your own choice- but please refrain from forcing this on me, others on this discussion board and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm who deserve a well-earned celebration for their patience in this matter. A good 2010 season awaits for them now hopefully.”
by lisa, Bristol
Friday, March 26 2010, 8:22AM
“Mufasa "Sadly that wasn't the case and they charged me to see a dying tigress who they had moved in and displayed against any better or moral judgment whatsoever"
No they charged you to enter the attraction, considering your are no zoo keeper or animal expert in any way, all you saw of the tiger was it having a lie down in a completely legally sized and equiped enclosure.
As already confirmed for feline peritonitis there is no tried and true vaccine, no comprehensive test and, worst of all, no cure, i personally am pleased that the tiger had the oppertunity to die in a nice enclosure rather than being flogged to death in a circus!
As confirmed by this new report, the NAZF did not hide the the origins of the tigers, they did not abuse or mistreat them and they did not squeeze them into cages too small. They made errors in how they dealt with the remains of a DEAD tiger and have learnt from those errors, so you can all sleep easy tonight.
As for their beliefs, dont go bashing what your not prepared to listen to. All religions have differing ideas and not a lot of it can be proven. That does not mean that the Christians, Jewish, Muslims, scientologists etc are telling lies to children, they are teaching what they believe to be true, and as long as it is not hurting anyone let them be.
No one forces you to believe, no one at the farm herds you into a brain washing facility, or pokes you with a stick telling you you cant leave until you believe, so stop making it sound like they do, its just pathetic on your part.
If you dont want to go there, dont go more space for me! I personally will be taking my kid and partner very soon as my little one LOVES seeing the animals and having an oppertunity to get so close. They also have amazing play facilities for the kids, both indoor and out, and a wicked little splash pool for the kids in the summer!!”
by The Hedgehog©, Horfield
Thursday, March 25 2010, 4:16PM
“"I dont call people names, I call hippies 'hippies', trolls 'trolls' and the great unwashed the 'great unwashed'.
I was born that way. "
Amazing, Joe. Most of us had to learn to speak.
"What happened to the polarbears at bristol zoo? oh wait a sec, they all went mad, walking up and down, up and down all day long. "
Get your facts right - that bear was rescued from a circus where it lived in a cage slightly bigger than itself. It was already severely damaged when it got to the zoo.”
by Mufasa, Lion's Rock
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:51PM
“Hannah
A1) Their evidence.
A2) A member of the fee paying public with legitimate concerns acknowledged and reflected in the experts' report.
A3) Because they charged me to see a dying tigress.
6 big cats of different species into one acre doesn't go so, yes, sadly there is bound to be more of the same in the coming months.
At least next time they will have to file proper evidence of any death(s) and show they've carried out a legitimate post-mortem so that's something positive to have come out of the investigation.
Joe: I went there as soon as they got the tigers because, guess what, I like tigers and figured they might be well looked after and (comparatively for captive bred animals) 'happy'.
Sadly that wasn't the case and they charged me to see a dying tigress who they had moved in and displayed against any better or moral judgment whatsoever.”
by hannah©, bristol
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:28PM
“@Mufasa-Their evidence? or your opinion? Who are you to argue with experts that have done an investigation? why do you continue to slate them?
One thing I will lastly add to this debate, is if they are as incompetent as YOU say they are then No doubt there may be a chance that they make more mistakes and IF and when they do then by all means I would like to see them jumped on, by the law.”
by Joe, bristol
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:25PM
“Musafa, "and then displaying her for all and sundry to gawp at"...
lol - thats what zoos do, they allow people to gawp at animals. If you as one of the (all and sundry) didnt want to see the animals, why did you go there?
Its a great zoo, its a great family attraction, and im going back again and again and again.”
by Joe, bristol
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:21PM
“I dont call people names, I call hippies 'hippies', trolls 'trolls' and the great unwashed the 'great unwashed'.
I was born that way.”
by Mufasa, Lion's Rock
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:17PM
“Joe:
As no formal autopsy was ever carried out there is also no evidence whatsoever that Noah's Ark's cats caught Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
The stress caused to a heavily pregnant tigress by moving her (and then displaying her for all and sundry to gawp at) in the last few weeks of her pregnancy, could however very easily have caused her to give birth to three stillborns and reject her live cub....
You must be a great role model for your young lad with your grown up informed comments and imprinting him with the idea that squeezing 6 big cats into a one acre enclosure is 'okay'.
Hannah: I trust you're not implying I have been slanderous towards Noah's Ark. My comments are based solely on Noah's Ark's own evidence to date.”
by Joe, bristol
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:06PM
“thats because the big cats at bristol zoo (that live in a much smaller enclosure) didnt catch feline peritonitis.
What happened to the polarbears at bristol zoo? oh wait a sec, they all went mad, walking up and down, up and down all day long.”
by Vlad the Impala, Steepholm
Thursday, March 25 2010, 3:05PM
“Bristol Zoo don't tell lies to children.”