-I have been very active and very public in Edmonton's animal rights scene for a few years, and haven't heard of the group in question (The Animal Rights Militia previously called Animal Defense League) until now. I have only spoken with one member, the president (author of the write up), and nobody else I have spoken too has heard of them either. I assumed that it wouldn't get much coverage.

-The Author of the article provided little detail, with no references to reputable sources of information to back up his claims.

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Reading the ARM's write-up, I felt that the author was implying that the only individuals outraged by the conditions at Guzoo were animal rights activists. I would like to note that Zoocheck is not the only group that has spoken out about Guzoo. The World Society of Protection of Animals (WSPA), The Alberta SPCA, Voice for Animals Humane Society, The Animal Welfare Branch of Alberta Agriculture, and many professional individuals have spoken out or expressed concerns regarding Guzoo as well, including [1]:

The ARM stated that apparantely they have stopped giving the visitors bread to feed the animals. I'm happy to hear that they have stopped giving the animals bread after almost 15 years.  They have cleared out the freezer in the past after surges of increased bad press, as it is a violation of the regulations. I wonder how long it will stay empty this time?

April 2007

Not very long it seems, as Guzoo Supporters have already unknowingly posted damning evidence that the feeding of bread still continues.

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The ARM individuaI states that the guinea pigs and rabbits all appear to be in good health and well kept, with adequate food and water....however, he goes on to state that there was a lack of hay for the rabbits and that the floor was dirt, with a small amount of straw.  I am curious as to what kind of food the rabbits and guinea pigs had, as when I visited in April, they had no visible pellets available, and they were being housed together in the same enclosure. Knowledgeable rabbit and guinea pig owners realize that the species should not be housed together, for the following reason:

• DIET DIFFERENCES: Although guinea pigs and rabbits are both herbivores who eat primarily hay, they require different nutrients and consume different quantities. For instance, guinea pigs need a regular supply of Vitamin C, which they get both from their daily vegetable intake and specially-formulated pellets. Guinea pigs should NOT eat rabbit pellets, as these are formulated to meet the rabbit’s digestive needs only and do not contain extra Vitamin C. In addition, some rabbit pellets, designed for use by breeders and labs, contain antibiotics that are potentially harmful to guinea pigs. To complicate matters even further, while the House Rabbit Society recommends limiting a bun’s pellet diet, guinea pigs can have unlimited access to their own pellets. And when it comes to vegetables, it can become very difficult to make sure that each animal is provided with the correct roughage for their nutritional needs. Attempting to manage these very different dietary requirements can be a very challenging task.

• SIZE AND STRENGTH: Even the smallest dwarf rabbit can pose a physical danger to a guinea pig, especially if space is limited. Rabbits often kick or stomp with their powerful hind feet when they are expressing their emotions. Whether a rabbit is jumping for joy or thumping out of annoyance, a guinea pig stands a good chance of getting hurt. This is not as uncommon as you might think. Rescuers and other concerned animal welfarists often encounter guinea pigs whose legs have been broken after being caged in a pet store with a rabbit. Such injuries often require surgery and a lifetime regimen of anti-inflammatory medication.

 

• IMMUNITY: Most animals carry organisms which are not harmful to them but which can be fatal to other species. In the case of rabbits, a very common bacteria found in their respiratory tract is Pasteurella. While antibiotic treatments can control this disease, it often lingers on in a carrier state and requires occasional treatment. Rabbits can live a long life as carriers of Pasteurella and not even show any symptoms. However, guinea pigs are highly susceptible to respiratory infections, and their fragile immune system is not equipped to battle this pathogen. If exposed to Pasteurella, a guinea pig is many times more likely than a rabbit to succumb to the organism and die. It is a chance that not many of us would like to take with our beloved pets.

 

• SOCIAL LIFE: Have you ever watched two rabbits together? They like to snuggle and groom each other constantly. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, do not groom each other on a regular basis. Nor are they habitual cuddlers. Instead, they like to maintain their own personal space and don’t often like to share. In this kind of environment, a rabbit could become very lonely and a guinea pig might start feeling harassed. Keep in mind, then, that rabbits and guinea pigs are quite different animals, one of them desiring a close, affectionate bonded pair, the other sharing a more limited interaction with a herd.

 

        Reference: http://www.guineapigcages.com/rabbits.htm

The Author also contradicted himself here; Rabbits and Guinea Pigs should have access to hay at all times, and to say that they are being provided with an "adequate diet" and then go on to state that there is no hay, is a contradiction. Hay is an extremely important part of the diet of both rabbits and guinea pigs for proper digestion, nutrients, and to keep their teeth in good shape.

"Every cavy needs daily:  

    Vitamin C
    Fresh Water
    Quality Pellets
    Unlimited Grass Hay
    Fresh Vegetables"[2]

 

"In the wild, rabbits eat grass, which is, in its dry form, simply hay. Consequently, hay should be offered in large quantities on a constant basis and should be considered far more than just chewing entertainment. In addition to the invaluable fiber it contains, hay also provides vitamins, minerals, and protein in a form the rabbit's digestive tract not only can handle, but actually needs for its continued good health. "[3]

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Also in the petting barn, the ARM individual noted a young raccoon being kept in a wire cage. He noted that it was not an appropriate enclosure, as it was all concrete and had only a shelte shelter situated in the middle of the cage.   He asked the staff and was told that it was a temporary enclosure and that the raccoon would be moved ASAP. Apparently the baby had been taken away to be bottlefed after his mother rejected him, but the Gustafson's have said in the past that baby animals are pulled from their mothers to be tamed and handled by the public, then sold.  It is also very easy for the Gustafson’s to get off the hook by calling a cage "temporary", however, if you visit Guzoo often enough, you will notice that there are ALWAYS animals being kept in barren, inappropriate enclosures as seen in these pictures taken during my April 2007 visit:

These were three barren enclosures, one holding a lynx Kitten born at the zoo (top right) another holding two raccoons ( top left), and the third holding two New Guinea Singing Dogs (bottom).

The following pictures were taken in 2002 and 2004, both of supposed "temporary" enclosures holding Raccoons that were born at Guzoo.

If the Gustafson’s truly felt that they were overcrowded and needing to make use of supposed "temporary enclosures", then why would they continue to breed their animals?

It is obvious that the zoo is not properly equipped to house this many animals, and the difference between their "temporary enclosures" and their permanent displays is minimal. Raccoons are, by nature, solitary animals; the Gustafson’s MUST know that the kits won't be able to live with their mother forever[4]. They must realize that alternative housing will be required, because Raccoons will naturally start fighting and injuring each other once they reach maturity. In order to properly care for captive raccoons, they must be housed singly and be provided with several hiding places[5] and climbing structures[6]. Either the Gustafson’s are ignorant to the proper care of Raccoons, or they are choosing to produce even more offspring despite the fact that they only have inadequate, temporary housing available.  And there is NO excuse for housing them in such barren enclosures; how difficult is it to quickly assemble some branches, platforms, ladders, and beams to provide climbing structures? It’s inexpensive, easy to do, and important for the psychological well being, as well as the physical well being of the animal.

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The ARM individual goes on to describe the petting barn, saying it contained domestic animals, including cats that were up for adoption. Apparantely they all had fresh water, food, and enrichment.

The animals in this area, aside from the poultry, cats, mice, and hamsters, are NOT domesticated species. During my April 2007 visit I noted lovebirds, an Amazon, degus, and two 13 Lined Ground Squirrels in addition to the domestic species. The degus enclosure was appropriate, with plenty to climb and even a running wheel,  but the 13 lined ground squirrels were being housed in a completely inadequate aquarium. Ground Squirrels are burrowers and when kept as pets, should be housed in large cages usually sold for chinchillas or ferrets. [7]  Although 13 Lined Squirrels are not commonly kept in captivity, they are very closely related to the more commonly kept prairie dog and have the same basic requirements. In a zoo setting, they are usually kept in enclosures with closed and buried bottoms, to allow burrowing without escape.  Guzoo’s Ground Squirrels were given no simulated burrows, nor were they given hay and deep litter to create a burrow.

The lovebirds and the Amazon were being housed in Cages with unsafe wire, leaving them at risk of metal toxicity. Hook bills use their beaks to hold onto things, to aid them in climbing around their cage. Zinc, copper and lead, the two most common ingredients in most wire, are deathly toxic to all birds, and are very common killers. Parrot lovers pay an arm and leg for safe, stainless steel wire because the risk is so high.

“Long Island, NY, veterinarian John Charos has seen many cases of zinc poisoning in birds.. “It’s usually an older cage or the washers used to attach toys or perches,” he said.   Zinc toxicosis is quite common in pet birds. Even low levels of exposure can be harmful. Some symptoms of acute zinc poisoning are vomiting, loss of appetite, larger than usual green droppings and, in some cases, sudden death. Kidney damage, digestive tract upsets, increased thirst and even feather picking have been linked to zinc toxicity.

Galvanized after welding wire contains enough zinc to be toxic. Cages made from this wire must be cleaned with a wire brush and vinegar before placing birds in them. Never use galvanized dishes for bird food. Instead, use stainless steel, plastic or glass.

 Birds do not have to actually eat flakes of the metal to get sick, as it can be leached into their water or soft foods.

Padlocks and some toy hangers may have high levels of zinc. Metal that appears dull and emits a whitish dust should be suspect. Replace cage hardware with stainless-steel components. Some paints and varnishes contain zinc, and many common adhesives do, as well. Pennies, curtain or vertical blind weights, household hardware, keys, costume jewelry, floor tiles, duct tape and other common items may all contain zinc. If your bird chews on these, zinc toxicosis is a possibility.”

[8]

“ Sources of Zinc: padlocks, galvanized cage wire and dishes, clips or staples, bird toy snaps, zippers, keys, nails, plumbing nuts, quick links, nuts on animal transport cages, hardware cloth, chrome, and some antirust paints, shampoos and skin preparations.

Sources of Lead: tap water, solder, batteries, galvanized wire, hardware cloth, bells with lead clappers, linoleum, paints (lead-based, and those with leaded drying agents), stained glass, curtain weights, fishing and diving accessories, certain ceramic pieces, foil covering on champagne or wine bottles, leaded gasoline fumes, lead frames of stained glass windows and tiffany lamps. “[9]

Guzoo’s cages were very obviously dangerous; they were rusted and there were many sharp ends exposed to the birds. I am not sure about the Author, but I would not consider cages made of toxic material to be in “good repair”, especially cages made with wire that is so obviously rusted and unsafe.

 Not only were their enclosures literally “death traps”, but they were being fed an unhealthy diet of Sunflower Seeds and Peanuts, which will likely lead them to an early death caused by Fatty Liver Disease. Unless the Gustafson’s have switched them over to a new diet, then the Author is mistaken and they are NOT being adequately fed. [10]

As for the low price of Guzoo’s cats, I wouldn’t be surprised. Most shelters and animal rescues vaccinate, spay/neuter and de-worm their cats. They usually come with a free vet exam, a starter kit, and sometimes a bag of food. Guzoo doesn’t do any of this; they allow female cats to become pregnant, and there are always kittens.

April 22^nd visit

2002

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After the petting barn, the ARM individual continues on to describe the housing of the monkeys. He described the enclosures as small, but containing adequate enrichment and climbing apperatuses, as well as an area for privacy. He says the enclosures were all clean and well maintened, and "superior in every way" to the monkey closures at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

Superior in EVERY other way? I am curious about how much research the Author has done on the proper care of monkeys in captivity. Space and climbing structures, food and water, and access to the outdoors does not equal a happy, well cared for monkey.

Monkeys are not native to our climate; The Valley Zoo houses the majority of their species indoors, because they could only safely have access to our climate for 2 or 3 months a year. These species originate from climates that are both hotter and more humid then ours. I have been behind the scenes of the monkey enclosures at The Valley Zoo during special programs, and they are both hot and humid. The climate is carefully controlled to suit the needs of individual species. They have complex ventilation systems to keep the air clean and well circulated. Some cages even have running water and fountains for species that would make use of it. Climate control is extremely important to the health of captive primates, as stated by ‘The IPS International Guidelines for the Acquisition, Care and Breeding of Nonhuman Primates’:

“Temperature, humidity and ventilation are important to the health and welfare of animals and should be maintained within preferred ranges for a given species. Rapid and extreme fluctuations should be avoided. Animal areas should have adequate ventilation without harmful draughts, and should be ventilated separately from other areas. When mechanical ventilation is required, 10-15 room air changes per hour are generally adequate; air recirculation is discouraged.”[11]

I am also wondering when the Author last visited The Valley Zoo.  I have visited twice this year, and they have recently renovated and improved their primate enclosures. The floors of the enclosures are covered in clean straw that is spot cleaned throughout the day. The monkeys are provided with a wide variety of ladders, ropes, natural branches with leaves (regularly replaced), planks, swings, and tires. They are provided with a wide variety of parrot toys, baby toys,  handmade enrichment items, puzzles, foraging items (dig boxes, piñatas, etc) that are regularly replaced. They are very open with their care and enrichment programs.

“The Valley Zoo has an established routine for the care of each animal in their collection. Written in a manual so that all people concerned have easy access to the information, it is detailed and covers all aspects of care: diet, enclosure management, health, enrichment, training and collection management. This is an excellent way of maintaining consistency of care. As animals become accustomed to a certain routine, they are less likely to be stressed as a result.”

 

-Zoocheck Report [12]

The primates are also provided with plenty of opportunities to seek privacy. They have access to behind-the-scenes hides, and most of them have multiple hide boxes visible in the enclosure. I don’t know why the Author is stating otherwise, perhaps he did not see them, but even Zoocheck confirmed this in their 2000 report:

“The keepers appear to have made great efforts to provide privacy areas and enrichment for the many animals in this collection. This is particularly true of the primate exhibits where they have made good use of climbing and swinging structures. The gibbon exhibit is a good example of this. Unfortunately, all of the primate exhibits, with the exception of the red-fronted lemurs, are too small and none of them, including the aforementioned red-fronted lemur exhibit, reflects their natural habitat.”

Thankfully, since the publication of the report, The Valley Zoo has taken their recommendations to heart and, as I previously mentioned, has renovated their primate enclosures. The species which can safely have access to the outdoors DO have access, and the indoor enclosures are now outfitted with natural branches with leaves and fake/live plants.  This month, they announced the completion of their new lemur enclosures, which will house their red fronted, ring tailed, and fat tailed lemurs called The Makira Outpost.

“The Lemurs of the Makira Outpost invite you to visit them at their new home at the Valley Zoo. They will be moving in June and are looking forward to the lushness of the Living Wall and frolicking on Lemur Island. The Makira Outpost features a naturalized environment with ample natural light. Visitors to the zoo will be able to view the Lemurs on the island or inside the enclosure through the large south facing windows which were designed to maximize Alberta's natural light all year round.” [13]

As for neurotic behavior in Valley Zoo monkeys? I haven’t seen any recently, and I am curious as to what the Author has observed, and when. I have, however, observed neurotic behavior in the Guzoo primates, as seen here in this clip taken on my April 22^nd, 2007 trip:

The Monkeys at The Valley Zoo also have the bonus of being able to live in social groups, which Guzoo deprives their monkeys of. The Authors idea of enlarging the cages housing the already existing monkeys together wouldn’t work; they are different species that “speak” different languages, and have different social structures. These monkeys require social structures that are made up of their own species, which Guzoo can obviously not provide without obtaining more animals. Obviously, this is not something I want to condone. Luckily, there are many monkey sanctuaries in North America and in the UK that provide sanctuary to monkeys from all over the world. If Guzoo cared about their monkeys’ well being, they would take the time to contact these sanctuaries to see if space is available for those that they keep in solitary confinement.

________________________________________________________________________

The rest of the zoo, according to the ARM individual, was adequate...yet they did not stimulate the natural habitats of the animals. How can the enclosures be considered adequate if no consideration has been put into simulating their natural habitat? According to Alberta Zoo Regulations, an enclosure is not adequate unless it meets certain standards. These standards are clearly stated:

“The purpose of these standards is to facilitate development of animal

enrichment that improves the psychological well being of the animals.

Enrichment consists of a range of measures, including fixed exhibit features,

non-fixed features and novel objects that attempt to provide a more

stimulating environment for the animals. Training involves positive

reinforcement of behaviors that facilitate animal husbandry activities while

reducing stress on the animals. The standards for enrichment and training

are:

• There must be a written document outlining an enrichment program for

each species, species group or species assemblage (if appropriate) at the

exhibit level that may include fixed features, non-fixed features and how

food is made available.

• Fixed features might include contoured surface topography, giant rocks,

mature trees, streams, pools, walls and screens.

• Non-fixed features and novel objects might include small trees, branches,

logs, log piles, small rock piles, brush mounds, root balls, moveable

sand/bark/mulch pits, sod, other novel substrates, burrows, nesting boxes,

pipes, tubes, visual baffles, shade structures, moveable climbing

apparatus, platforms, hammocks, bungy cords, rope ladders, hanging

rings, scratching posts, sprinklers, water jets, rafts, brushes, puzzle

feeders, boomer balls, nylabones, traffic cones, wooden rings, and

cardboard boxes. Vertical structure is important and a useful stimulant

even for normally terrestrial animals.

I have to disagree with the Author in saying that Guzoo’s enclosures are “adequate”. In addition to the complete lack of effort put into simulating the natural habitats, the cages are also poorly outfitted and the space isn’t being used to its full advantage.

"Care should be taken to allow cats, even those that are terrestrial, to utilize the vertical component of an enclosure by providing aerial pathways.  Cats should have access to at least 75% of the enclosure's vertical space.  Furthermore, small cats seem to prefer perching platforms at or near the top of their enclosure, a place from which they can "hide" and peer out."

 “It appears that more important than an enclosure's size is its complexity and usability.  An increase in hiding spaces (visual barriers/ den boxes) corresponds with a decrease in pacing and cortisol levels. Care should be taken to allow cats to utilize the vertical component of an enclosure by providing aerial pathways. The cats' exhibit should be sufficiently deep so visitors do not encroach on the cats' flight distance. Each cat should have access to a den box."

The permanent raccoon enclosures are small, with dirt flooring. They are poorly outfitted, lacking in dense branches and multiple hiding areas.

The bear enclosures are small for the number of animals that they contain, and they too are poorly furnished. Their enclosures are void of trees and large climbing/basking platforms and stumps. The bears at Guzoo have a brush pile, which is good for foraging if they regularly shift it and place food inside of it, but they can’t rest and bask on this pile. They have monkey bars, but these are unsafe and impossible for a bear to properly make use of.

"Playground equipment ("monkey bars") in the bear exhibit appeared out of place and unsafe for the bears. It is also unlikely it would be an effective structure for the bears to utilize because the bars were too small for them to grip properly. Logs or wooden beams at least 4 inches wide would be more effective for bear climbing structures"

-Jennifer Long, [15]

 Bears are very intelligent animals that cover a lot of area on a day to day basis. They require complex enclosures with special attention paid to enrichment.

"Bears are wild animals and thus, are affected by fundamental instincts and rhythms. Those held in enclosures are subjected to unnatural situations and therefore, require additional efforts by the caretaker to maintain and enhance the bears' behavioral/physical well being."

"Bears naturally like to climb and sit with high vantage points to rest or look out for potential danger. Include trees with sturdy limbs and boulders in the enclosure for bears to safely climb. If you don't have a tree or boulder available, try fabricating a raised platform from strong, rough-textured logs (preferably with bark intact for easier gripping) and camouflage it with natural foliage. Make sure the bears have a clear way to climb up onto the platform. They often prefer "decks" located near protective cover such as trees or bushes as opposed to placed out in the open since vegetative screens give them a sense of security. You can encourage them to climb by placing some treats on top of the platform. If a bear is too heavy, weak, or old to climb then provide a "helper" by placing some wide, roughly textured logs or planks which are at an easy incline for them to gain ready access to the "deck". Always remember to locate trees and platforms far enough away from the perimeter fences."

-The American Bear Association

What kind of research did the Author do before he visited? What is he basing his judgment upon?

He was intelligent enough to notice that the lion and tiger enclosures were innapropriate but was appeased by the assurances of the Gustafson's that the enclosures were being renovated. The lions and Tigers have been living in these enclosures for over 10 years, and ever since their construction they’ve been called inadequate. The only reason that the Gustafson’s are putting some effort into upgrading their cages is to calm the criticism and have their permits renewed. If they truly believed the conditions at the Zoo were in need of upgrading, therefore inappropriate for the preexisting animals, then why would they continue to breed the cats?  If they were trying to raise money, then why would they waste their resources on raising babies? Why did they recently purchase a new, five week old Tiger cub if they felt that their current facilities aren’t even adequate for the animals they already have?

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He also managed to note that the elk, camel, and buffalo enclosures were filthy and muddy, but states that they were adequately fed, but had dirty water that had not been changed recently. He suggests they remedy that immediately!   People have been visiting Guzoo and reporting dirty and empty water containers for over TEN YEARS. Don’t you think that if they were concerned, they would have remedied it immediately as you suggest, ten years ago?

The ARM individual stated that he saw no rotting carcasses apparent during his visit, yet he did see a fresh carcass being fed to the lions. Fresh Carcasses are one thing, rotting carcasses are another. There may not have been any rotted meat during the Authors one visit, but there have been many sightings of rotted meat present in enclosures and on paths at Guzoo, probably far more then what is officially documented. I am glad that there was none on that day, but the Author seems to imply that there never was, which is far from the truth.

June, 1996 A District Occurrence Report issued by Alberta Environmental Protection notes the following conditions: animals without water, dirty cages, lack of nesting for birds, no adult supervision at the zoo, and “dead animals, all over, even in empty cages”.

November 27, 1998 – A memorandum to Al Cook of the Commercial Wildlife Branch, from Fish and Wildlife Officer, Byron Jensen, notes “In particular, complaints of animal care (sick looking animals, elongated hooves, chained animals, lack of protection from summer heat and winter cold, etc.) the presence of flies from rotting flesh left in the enclosures, associated smells from rotting flesh and unfit or lack of drinking water are encountered every year.”

January, 2000 Zoocheck Canada and WSPA commission retired zoo professional, Marilyn Cole (20 years experience with Toronto Zoo), to perform an inspection of Alberta and Saskatchewan zoos and document her findings. Cole comments about Guzoo as follows: “By all rights, this zoo should be closed. In addition to the numerous animal welfare concerns, there are many public heath and safety concerns as well.” The report goes on to describe sick animals, filthy cages, rotting food in cage, uncontrolled public feeding of zoo animals, abnormal behavior in animals and an overall lack of attention to their physical and psychological needs.

September 27, 2000 A Fish and Wildlife inspection report documents dirty water, a primate trailer swarming with flies and cages coated with dried feces and food, no shade in the bear enclosure, animals still being fed off of the ground, enclosures littered with scraps of meat or other food and visibly overgrown hooves of barbary sheep among other things

June, 2002 - Zoocheck Canada and WSPA commission a report by zoo professional, J. Long to inspect the Guzoo facility and document her findings. The Long report describes inappropriate caging, build up of feces in cages, fly-infested carcasses, injured animals, dirty water, stereotypic behavior, and public health and safety risks

May, 2003 – The Calgary Sun publishes an article which reports that Alberta Fish and Wildlife are launching an investigation into the Guzoo

petting zoo in Three Hills after dozens of animal carcasses were found decaying on the property. The article includes some photos but notes that other photos of the facility are “too graphic to print.”

(April 22nd Photos)

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The Author states that all of the animals had some form of shelter available where they could go for privacy and to escape the weather, and that he saw no repetitive behaviors that indicate stress or boredom. He says that all of the animals he saw seemed healthy and content. How can the Author possibly say that the animals are being well cared for after all of his previous statements? What does he mean by content? How does he know they are healthy? And how can he prove that this is the case?

The main problem with this write up is the lack of detail to back up his claims. He is making some very serious statements, going against what dozens of Zoo Professionals, biologists, zoologists, Wildlife Officers, SPCA officers, and knowledgeable, well researched animal caretakers have said about Guzoo for over a decade, yet he provides no evidence. When one takes a position in a debate, they then have the BURDEN OF PROOF. It is very easy for the Author to claim that the animals were healthy, content, and well cared for, because he doesn’t have to follow that up with any evidence. He has no care sheets or scientific articles that back up his claims, in fact, if he took the time to do some research into the individual care needs of each species at Guzoo, he would have a difficult time proving his case at all.

 I try to back up all of my claims with reputable resources. I have spent hours researching the basic minimum care requirements of these animals in order to properly debate this subject, and to properly critique Guzoo. I know that any statement I make against Guzoo will be refuted by their supporters, so I try to bring evidence to the table that is irrefutable.  I wish that the Author of the ADL article would have taken the time to do the same.

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According to the ARM author, he believes that Lynn Gustafson is committed to making improvents and does the best he can for them, and that he believes he is someone that animal rights activists could have a working relationship with.  If Mr. Gustafson started this Zoo with the intentions of providing the best for his animals, then he would not have the negative history that he does.  He has been convicted of multiple animal related offences, including:

June 1989 – Owner and operator of Guzoo, Mr. Lynn Gustafson, is convicted of illegal possession of exotic animals.

December, 1992 - Mr. Gustafson is convicted under the Animal Protection Act for failing to relieve the distress of a zoo animal. One media source reported that Judge Clozza had stated that there was no question in his mind that the animal was “sick, in pain and suffering.”

February, 1994 - Mr. Gustafson, is convicted of illegal possession and trafficking in exotic animals for a second time.

If Animal Rights activists could actually work with him, then the complaints of squalid conditions would have been taken to heart a long time ago. He would have taken the advice given to him by professionals, and stopped breeding and acquiring new animals until his current animals are being kept up to standards. If he truly loved animals, he would never have allowed his animals to live in bad conditions in the first place. Animal lovers are not convicted of failing to relieve the distress of sick and dying animals, and those that are interested in protecting wild animals from the hands of humans certainly shouldn’t be illegally trafficking in exotic species. Lynn Gustafson started his Zoo because of his love of showing the animals to children, he enjoys bringing happiness to people by letting them touch and hold baby animals. That’s great, but he does it at the expense of wild animals.  The only reason that Gustafson is making a very late effort of improving his Zoo is because the new standards legally require him to in order for him to obtain another permit. He isn’t voluntarily upgrading his facilities; he is being pressured into it by new legislation.  It will be more difficult now then ever for the Gustafson’s to get their permit renewed 

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At the end of his write up, the ARM author acknowledges that Zoos are a controversial subject and that for some people, accepting  ANY zoos is not an option.  He, however, accepts that zoos have an educational aspect to them and that they contribute to conservation of certain species. He intends to work with Mr.Gustafson to improve the conditions of the zoo.

I am not against all Zoos, and I certainly accept the fact that they have many educational aspects to them. There is a world class, CAZA accredited Zoo in Calgary, only a couple of hours from Guzoo, and another CAZA accredited Zoo a few hours in the opposite direction. Both of these Zoos have extensive educational programs available for visitors, students, and researchers alike. They do their best to resemble the animals natural habitats within their enclosures, and have detailed interactive displays accompanying the exhibits. They both have their faults, but the animal care quality exceeds Guzoo Animal Farm’s in all aspects, as do their educational programs. There is also the Reptile World in Drumheller, which provides both quality care and quality educational programs. Guzoo’s visitors do not leave with a new, enlightened respect for animals and a new found knowledge of each species. They go for the novelty of being able to handle and cuddle wild animals, which is exactly what Guzoo relies on for business. They state on their website that they always have babies and that they believe education is best gained through hands on contact. The lack of real education is evident in a recent letter posted on Guzoo’s Blog:

“I always look forward to playing with the baby animals especially the tigers and lions as these are my favorites. I even wanted to buy the baby lion and if I could afford the high cost I absolutely would have. I feel the Guzoo gives people a rare and extraordinary opportunity by being allowed to hold the babies and be up close and personal. I am very honored to be able to hold the baby lion and get kisses on the cheek by the bear cub. I’ve held timber wolf puppies and lynx kittens and played with the tiger and lions. I feel blessed to have this amazing opportunity and look forward to every visit even though not very often.”

The thought that the Gustafson’s are helping endangered species is laughable.  The propagation of endangered species, for the purpose of increasing the population, is strictly confined to the Species Survival Plan (S.S.P)[16]. Only AZA and CAZA accredited Zoological Institutions can participate in the S.S.P, which is extremely careful to keep their breeding lines clean and diverse. Lions and Tigers bred at roadside zoos are considered to have ‘dirty genes’ and are not accepted by reputable zoos and breeding facilities. In fact, Tigers and Lions, as well as the other species bred by Guzoo such as Raccoons, skunks, coyotes and bears are OVERPOPULATED in captive settings. Reputable rescues and sanctuaries are full to the brim and begging for the breeding to stop, as quoted from The Big Cat Rescue’s [17] Website:

This is the most frequent email we get from exotic cat owners:

"Hey, I'm really in over my head here!  I got this thing as an infant. I bottle-raised it. Everything was great. But I can no longer handle this cat. I cannot housebreak it. It tries to attack people. I just don't know what to do with it.'"

 This was an actual quote about a Serval, but we have had hundreds of similar letters about every kind of exotic cat.

We do not breed, sell nor trade cats. We have neutered all of our male cougars, Siberian lynx and bobcats as these cats are plentiful in captivity and in the wild.  There is no reason to breed them.  We have neutered our male tigers because there will always be plenty in captivity because they breed well and are always in high demand.   We have neutered or spayed most of our animals and separated the rest.

Lots of places claim to be breeding cats to save them from extinction when in fact they are not involved in any real conservation effort and rather are justifying their breeding to have babies who will bring in paying visitors and worse yet to sell.  Many people contact us each week saying they want to start a captive breeding program to save the cats from extinction, but the only viable programs currently being operated in such a manner as to accommodate this goal are being run by accredited zoos who will not work with the private sector.  Unless you can trace your cat's pedigree all the way back to the wild and you have been accepted into the Species Survival Plan for that specific breed, you will not be aiding conservation, but rather will be contributing to the over abundance of unwanted animals.   

We receive requests every week from people who are looking for some place to take their "pet" cat.  Each year we have to turn away more than 100 such "pets".  These unwitting owners have discovered that all exotic cats, both male and female, neutered or not, spray and bite when they reach sexual maturity. Moving them out to the yard means your neighbors will soon be complaining that your place smells like a zoo.   By the time they find us they have discovered that the zoos do not want their animals, that no one is willing to buy them and that they can't even give them away.  Refuges are usually full to capacity and cannot take in another hungry mouth to feed.  All too often, these "pets" are turned out to fend for themselves, where they surely die of starvation or are euthanized.  There is no reason to try and make a pet of any wild animal.  Both of you will suffer. 

Guzoo makes sure that they always have baby animals available for the public, but you will notice that they are not there for long. The three lion cubs born late last year are gone, with only one remaining at the zoo. Every time we visit there are baby animals, replaced with more the next time around. They do not keep them all too adult hood, instead they sell them and breed more. The fact that they breed their animals is obvious when you read their Blog:

Baby lion is growing!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 9:15 AM PDT

 

 Zion, our baby lion born in Feb. 2006 is getting bigger.  He was hand raised in our home.  Lynn has been his primary care-giver (food source) and Zion follows him around the zoo everywhere.  We had to take away his in-home privledges, he now sleeps in the heated room attached to the house (where the dogs sleep).  He is not happy about this as he continually tries to sneek in the side door and into the kitchen.  He has free run of the zoo right now, we don't have him on a leash.  But unless Lynn is out side to follow, he never strays far from the house.

We have Baby Raccoons!

Friday, May 19, 2006 at 10:16 AM PDT

 Baby Raccoons were born at our zoo about a month ago.  One has been removed from its mother to be lovingly hand raised by our family.  Hand raising raccoons makes them affectionate to human contact (at least until maturity) and raises them to accept life in captivity.  Hand raised raccoons don’t fear humans and look forward to daily feedings and cage cleanings. 

  We hope to keep this baby at our zoo for the rest of its life.  While he is young, he can potentially be handled by the public and once mature will hopefully remain manageable enough to fit into our photography program we are in the process of launching. 

New Baby Tiger!

Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 10:10 AM PDT

 We had new baby tiger arrive at our zoo yesterday.  He is currently 5 weeks old and a little shy.  He is living in our home for the time being to get acustomed to human contact.  He will be on display in a few weeks for public viewing.  He doesn't have a name yet.  We are having a local community Name the Tiger Essay Contest.  We will know the little gaffers name near the end of July.

Cat adopts Skunks Babies

Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 11:24 AM PDT

 The GuZoo in Three Hills had a sad situation turn into an extra-ordinary event.Six abandoned skunks, born at the GuZoo were adopted by GuZoo's resident farm cat.  Having just weaned a litter of five kittens a day before, this remarkable mother cat took charge of six tiny skunks whose natural mother wouldn't care for them.  The six little “skunklets” are thriving thanks to the devotion and attentive care provided by their new mom.

We have new lion cubs!

Monday, October 30, 2006 at 10:10 AM PST

 Wallace, our aging male has done it again.  He proudly struts around his enclosure to announce the arrival of his three new babies.  They were born a week ago, and we will leave them with their mother for another two weeks.  At that time we will bottle raise them.

Rare White Elk Born At GuZoo

Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 9:19 PM PDT

 GuZoo is so pround to announce the birth of a white elk.  Like the white buffalo, this occures very seldom.  The elk is not an albino, but a genetic anomaly.  The elk calf is two weeks old and is strong and healthy.  I will post a photo just as soon as I can get close enough to safely take one.  Mother elk are extremely protective.

Unfortunately, the trade of wild exotic animals in Canada is a lot more prevalent then most people realize. MacLean’s magazine writer Susan McClelland wrote an article called “Animal Wrongs” in 2001 [18], in which she uncovered the truth about the Canada’s wild animal trade:

“At first, all that can be seen of Subira, a 2 1/2-year-old lioness, are
her amber eyes and a tuft of golden hair. Peering out from behind a
shed at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 300 km north of Toronto, the
big cat stands completely still, her head tilted and her gaze set on two
people walking towards her pen. When the couple gets about 10 m
away, Subira springs forward, closing the gap in huge bounds.
Stopped by the wall of her cage, she paces back and forth, curiously
sizing up the newcomers. When she recognizes her keeper, she
turns kitten-like, languidly rubbing her back and side against the
cage's steel meshing.

Such a cute image. Such a sordid story. Subira means "endurance"
in Swahili, and the big cat has needed that quality in her initially
miserable life. She was dumped into the exotic pet trade as a month-
old cub -- likely, authorities say, from an overstocked zoo. She was
purchased at an auction in Alberta by a 17-year-old Vancouver girl,
who soon realized she could not care for the growing lion and just
locked it in a garage. She eventually sold Subira to two Penticton,
B.C., men, but they, too, found lion ownership taxing. They couldn't
find another buyer, however, and considered having the lion put down
before Aspen Valley agreed to take the cat in.

When Subira arrived at the sanctuary, she was severely
malnourished -- at nine months of age, she weighed only 25 lb., the
average size of a two-month-old cub. As well, the pads on her feet
were cut, her nose was badly scratched and blood oozed from two
large wounds on her forehead. She was in such a pathetic state that
sanctuary founder Audrey Tournay felt compelled to take care of the
lion even though her facility usually only rehabilitates animals native
to Ontario. "I have seen many tragedies because of the wildlife
trade," Tournay told Maclean's, "but I never get used to it."

“There is a patchwork of restrictions on wildlife sales in Canada.
Ottawa has jurisdiction over international and province-to-province
transactions, and each province controls trade within its own borders.
But with too few wildlife officers, enforcement is sketchy at best. The
national wildlife service currently operates with only 38 full- and part-
time officers. A dozen of them patrol Ontario, annually home to more
than 50 per cent of imports into Canada and hundreds of smuggling
operations. And there are only two wildlife officers assigned to
CITES-related cases for all of the Atlantic provinces. Last year, they
helped uncover a huge shipment of products made from illegal animal
parts -- including elephant ivory trinkets, purses made from caiman
skins (a type of alligator), and fur clothing from endangered species.

Officers say far more escapes their notice, and last year,
Environment Canada asked the federal Treasury Board to boost its
wildlife staff to 165. The request was denied. "It's ludicrous," says
Gary Colgan, Ontario chief of Environment Canada's wildlife
enforcement division in Guelph, Ont. "Right now, we are not even
scratching the surface. We just don't have the resources."

And so the trade thrives. It is sometimes easier to buy poisonous
reptiles, primates and wild cats than it is to buy some pedigreed dogs
or cats. There are Web sites that list exotic-animal associations, chat
groups and forthcoming wildlife auctions in the United States and
Canada. In last November's issue of Animal Finders Guide, an
American trade magazine, there were advertisements offering silver
foxes for $150 each, tiger cubs and coyote pups for $450 each, a pair
of Himalayan bears were listed at $3,750 each and giant zebras were
going for $6,750.

Even protected animals are easy to acquire. When a Maclean's
reporter, posing as a buyer, asked a Newfoundland-based dealer
over the Internet last month about purchasing a Canadian lynx, the
dealer claimed he had access to 190 suppliers, 23 of them in
Canada, and as many as 25,000 cats. He was willing to sell one for
as little as $300, even though the trade in wild Canadian lynx is
regulated under CITES. Collectors are not surprised. Matthew Todd
Paproski, a film producer in Maple Ridge who keeps cougars for use
in his TV work, doubts that legislation can regulate the pet trade. "It
will just create a black market," Paproski says. "The animals will
continue to be sold."”

The Author of the ARM write-up isn’t looking at what is best for the long term.  If Guzoo continues to exist, then they will continue breeding and obtaining more animals. They are exactly what REAL sanctuaries set out to shut down, the CAUSE of the overpopulation crisis of wild animals in captivity. By financially supporting Guzoo, the Author is helping Gustafson get his permits renewed, as well as giving him more money to spend on purchasing more animals, and raising more babies. It is a backwards approach, and he is merely helping Guzoo remain open, to continue with their breeding and selling of animals, their photo shoots at the Calgary Sex show and at Inner Spirit Photography Studio, and their purchasing of more exotic species to add to their ever expanding, yet ever inadequately kept collection. There are dozens of reputable, accredited Rescues and Sanctuaries that are in desperate need of financial aid due to facilities like Guzoo, that would greatly appreciate the ARM’s assistance. These sanctuaries are easy to tell apart from psuedo-sanctuaries like Guzoo.

1. Real sanctuaries don’t breed or buy animals. If there are babies, they were probably bought or born there. People don’t get rid of them until they are too big to handle. If there is a baby, ask how it got there and ask for proof.
2. Real sanctuaries don’t exploit animals. They don’t take dangerous animals out in public on leashes or in cages. Many pseudo sanctuaries do and they say they are educating the public that these animals don’t make good pets, but when people see that they can be walked on leashes or taken out in public to be shown off or to make money, then they will want to buy one of their own. It is the equivalent of saying to your audience, “Do as I say, and not as I do.”
3. Real sanctuaries adhere to the law.
4. Real sanctuaries are accredited. Fake sanctuaries will say that they don’t like the politics, or it’s a waste of donor’s money, or that they don’t want someone else telling them how to take care of their animals, but none of those are valid reasons for not being accredited. Many fake sanctuaries are licensed by their state and by USDA and will tell you that these governing bodies are the watchdogs of the industry, but neither USDA nor any state law defines a sanctuary as being a place where animals are not bred, sold or exploited. USDA’s standards only require that an animal’s cage be big enough that he can stand up and turn around in it.

- The Big Cat Rescue

Here is a list of accreditted sanctuaries in North America: http://www.taosanctuaries.org/sanctuaries/index.htm

I struggle to see how the ARM’s position on Guzoo lines up with the A.R;M.’s posted Bill of Rights for animals which states both that “All wild animals have the right to liberty … Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is an infringement of this right.” and “No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of humanity. Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with their dignity.”

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