The animal welfare group Humane Society International (HSI) has rescued more than 200 wild animals — including lions, tigers, zebras, bears, camels, monkeys, goats and kangaroos — from a roadside zoo in Canada.
The zoo, in St-Édouard-de-Maskinongé, Quebec, has a long history of animal cruelty violations. In August 2018, the Montreal SPCA performed an inspection of the facility and found four dead animals, including two tigers. The unaccredited zoo has neglected the animals in its care for years, but now the Quebec Government has finally ruled that all the animals must be seized.
Goats wait to be rescued from a roadside zoo by the Montreal SPCA and HSI Canada
The owner of the roadside zoo has been arrested and charged with criminal animal cruelty and neglect. He now faces a five-year prison sentence and the possibility of a lifetime ban from keeping any animal.
When the animals were found, many of them were confined in dark, barren and dilapidated enclosures. All the animals had completely inadequate shelter with minimal protection from the elements, and some had no access to water or proper food.
Many of the rescued animals were suffering from medical conditions and had not been given access to veterinary care. All of them showed signs of significant psychological distress, including constant pacing. Social animals were kept in solitary confinement, and there was no enrichment in many of the enclosures.
A camel who was forced to live in deplorable conditions in Quebec, Canada
HSI is providing all on-site care for the animals and transporting them to its network of sanctuaries throughout Canada and the United States. Many of the animals are in desperate need of medical care, and they all need proper nutrition so they can fully recover from so many years of neglect.
Since animals at roadside zoos are typically born in captivity, they cannot be returned to the wild. Instead, the best thing for them is to be placed in species-appropriate facilities that are as close as possible to their natural environment.
This rescue is a positive outcome, but there are hundreds of roadside zoos around the world where wild animals suffer for tourist opportunities. Please remember to travel responsibly and not visit unaccredited roadside zoos.
If you ever do notice animal cruelty at a tourist attraction, or indeed elsewhere, please contact the local Humane Society or SPCA.
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THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE LADY FREETHINKER AND OTHER ORGS., OTHERWISE THE ANIMAL AND CHILD CRUELTY WOULD BE WORST STILL!!!
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND EXPOSURE!!!!!
que tristeza que el hombre sea el depredador mas cruel de este mundo vamos a acabar con toda especie animal nos creeemos que somos los únicos que podemos vivir en esta tierra cuando cambiara el pensamiento y el actuar de los hombres
THANK GOD this ZOO was SHUT DOWN — THANK YOU for rescuing the Animals — This defies common sense — it is so CLEAR these Animals are miserable in every way — how can one NOT SEE this — KEEP UP the great work of obliterating ALL Roadside Zoos — the very idea of such places is absurdly ridiculous.
Thank you humane Society International and SPCA Canada for the rescue!
Over 200 animals rescued, I hope that they can find homes for all of them. That is a lot of animals, but yes they have to be taken care of properly.
This news is a bit surprising as I’ve always thought that our neighbors to the north were compassionate towards animals. At least the authorities finally stepped in and confiscated. Please take care of the animals Canada.
We are compassionate towards animals, are pushing the best we can to get these “hell holes” closed up and the animals relocated. Takes time and perseverance, but best I can ask is. Do not visit these places, if you see 1 advertised, leave a bad review of it online, and pass along the message. There are a few establishments up here who treat animals with respect and are helping those found, such as these, and to those places we offer a sincere thanks.
THANK GOD FOR COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD, AND ESPECIALLY, OUR ANIMAL LOVING COUNTRY OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!
PRAISE THE LORD FOR THIS SUCCESS AND KIND, COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE!!!!
Hooray… some good news to share…well done to all those involved. A heartfelt thanks from all the animals to you good people.
What is wrong with these countries that they allow this cruelty to continue. Canada should be ashamed and ban these roadside zoos.
Canada is not the only country to have these atrocities…working hard to get many closed, and the animals relocated to where they will be safe, secure and as free as they can.
Please do not visit these and pass it along.
Thank you HSI for saving these animals. Please now help to shut down all roadside zoos.
How can Canada tolerate these roadside zoos? Get them closed down and prosecute the the owners.
Why did it take so long for authority to respond when the acts of cruelty were, apparently, obvious for so long?
I hope all these rescued animals finally get a life that’s worth living (good vet care, species appropriate food, great environment, etc.) Thank you HSI and Quebec Government for taking action for the voiceless precious creatures.
Excellent news.