Bowmanville Zoo abruptly announces closure
Staff says attendance down an estimated 65 per cent after PETA allegations
The exotic animals of the Bowmanville Zoo — wolves, tigers, and baboons to name a few — will be looking for new homes after the eastend facility announced Thursday it will be closing at the end of the 2016 season.
At a press conference, zoo officials said recent “allegations” made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had led to a “catastrophically” low number of visitors — resulting in financial problems.
Earlier this year, the zoo’s director Michael Hackenberger stepped down after being charged with animal cruelty. The charges were due to a video released by PETA in December which appeared to show him hitting a tiger with a whip during a training session.
“Untrue allegations made by PETA in regards to a tiger incident have created a climate in which the zoo can no longer operate,” said Angus Carroll, the zoo’s director of communications, who estimated attendance is down 65 per cent since last summer.
“The zoo attendance is down dramatically, and, in fact, that hardly captures it. Catastrophically. So, there just isn’t enough money to run this zoo at this time,” he said.
Brittany Peet, PETA Foundation’s director of captive animal law enforcement said “the blame lies solely on Michael Hackenberger.”
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began investigating the zoo after reviewing video footage that appeared to show Hackenberger repeatedly whipping a Siberian tiger during a training session. In April, the OSPCA charged Hackenberger with four counts of causing an animal distress and one of failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care for an animal.
The OSPCA’s case against Hacken- berger is currently before the courts.
But now, the sudden closure of the facility is raising questions about what will happen to the animals living there. Carroll said the decision to close was an abrupt one.
“This decision was only made a few days ago when it became apparent, financially, that we couldn’t continue,” he said, adding they have just started to find new homes for the numerous exotic animals on the property.
A statement on the zoo’s Facebook page said “there is no way forward at this point.”
In addition, “dozens of staff” at the zoo will lose their jobs. Some keepers and trainers will continue to work as long as it takes to adopt out all the animals, he said.
Ashley McArthur, the spokeswoman for Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums said they re- ceived an email from the zoo around 5 p.m. Thursday informing them of the decision to close. McArthur said CAZA has offered to help the zoo to re-home the animals when their doors shut.
McArthur said that while the Bowmanville Zoo was an accredited member of CAZA, Hackenberger’s professional membership had been revoked in April.
The OSPCA says they have “no jurisdiction over the operations of a zoo,” said communications officer, Brad Dewar. “As such we can only speak to our role in the enforcement . . . and ensuring animals are getting the care they require under the act,” he said, adding “We could assist but only if our assistance was requested.”
A spokeswoman with the Toronto Zoo said it had not been contacted by Bowmanville officials about taking in any animals.
“It would be premature to comment any further at this point until we receive further information,” said Katie Gray.
PETA says it would like to see “every single animal at the Bowmanville Zoo to be sent to a reputable sanctuary where they can finally recover from their years of abuse and get the care they deserve,” said Peet.
According to zoo officials, the Bowmanville Zoo was established in 1919, and is the oldest private zoo in North America.