History of Guzoo Animal Farm
I have been threatened with Lawsuits from Guzoo Supporters. I would like to remind everybody that the information I have on my website was obtained through researching WSPA and Zoocheck reports, which were publicly released. Many of the pictures were taken by me, but we did not trespass, and had permission to film and take photos. This can be proved, if nessacary, with a video taken at the same time that shows Guzoo Staff talking to us, aware of the camera. WSPA and Zoocheck commisioned the experts and wrote the reports...I am merely the messenger. Your threats of lawsuits don't scare me.
1987- After having only a fur farm lisence for years, Lynn Gustafson, owner of Guzoo, is issued his first Provincial zoo lisence.
1992-1994: Lynn Gustafson is convicted of three provincial offences; one under the Wildlife Act for illegally possessing and trafficking exotic animals, the other under the Animal Protection Act for failing to releive the suffering of an animal in distress.
1993: President of the ASPCA calls for Guzoo's permit to be revoked stating that "the well-being of the animals is being seriously compromised by problems with lack of disease control, dirty conditions, inadequate caging and inappropriate winter shelters. There is also a real concern for public safety."
Feb, 1994: Lynn Gustafson is charged for the second time with the illegal possession and trafficking of exotic aimals.
July 1994: Lynn Gustafson becomes the animal control officer for ThreeHills, Alberta, despite the four previous convictions.
June, 1995: The Drumheller Health Unit inspects Guzoo after a complaint about Salmonella.
July, 1995: Drumheller Occurence 055M19995 documents reports that Fish and Wildlife reps. visit Guzoo to investigate the escape of fawns and lynx.
June, 1996: A District Occurence 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, 1998: 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."
August, 1999: Health Authority 5 orders Guzoo's owner to implement changes to address concerns regarding public health and safety, including stopping visitor contact with dangerous animals.
1999: Fish and Wildlife establishes a multi-agency task force to inspect Guzoo. The team reports Guzoo to be "Substandard in the following areas: Sanitation, feeding standards, public safety, physical comfort and well being of animals, handling and isolation facilities and record keeping. Gustafson is given until March 1000 to develop a plan to address these issues.
January, 2000: Zoocheck Canada and WSPA commission retired zoo professional, Marilyn Cole (20 years of experience with the Toronto Zoo) to inspect Alberta and Saskatchewan Zoos. Regarding Guzoo, she states" By all rights, this zoo should be closed. In addition to the numerous animal welfare concerns, there are many public health and safety concerns as well" The report describes sick animals, filthy cages, rotting food in cages, uncontrolled public feeding of zoo animals, abnormal behaviou in some animals and an overall lack of attention to their physical and psychological needs.
January 2000: Sustainable Resources Development Minister Gary Mar calls for stronger zoo regulations to deal with the problems at Guzoo.
Febuary, 2000: CTV's W-Five airs an expose on Guzoo called 'Cruel Cages'. Includes footage of Lynn Gustafson feeding animals Dr.Pepper and Twinkies.
HERE IS WHERE THE FAULTS OF THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT REALLY START TO SHOW...ENOUGH WITH THE PERMIT RENEWALS, WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? GUZOO OR THE GOVERNMENT?
April 2000: SRD issues Guzoo's permit with special conditions regarding sanitation, public feeding, and interaction with zoo animals, fence repairs, shelter for animals and the general well-being of the animals at the zoo. In addition, Mr.Gustafson is told to develop a plan to address the concerns raised in the Task Force report.
May, 2000: A Fish and Wildlife memo states that the development plan did not fully satisfy the concerns identified by the inspection committee. It suggests that a temporary permit valid for six months be issued. This permit will, under stipulated conditions and department supervision, allow continued operation of a six-month period (from the time of the permit issuance), and provide the permittee an opportunity to wind down the operation. The permittee will be advised that no permit will be issued after the six month period.
July 2000: The Animal Welfare Branch of Alberta Agriculture visits Guzoo and notes concerns about a paralyzed cougar cub and an ostrich that had a skin condition that had been also observed the prior year.
September, 2000: Fish and Wildlife inspection 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 and other food, among other things.
October, 2000: A six month permit containing the same special conditions is issued.
October, 2000: Zoocheck Canada commissions vet and animal behaviourist, Dr.Samantha Scott, to inspect Guzoo. Dr.Scott reports that little change has been made since the Cole inspection. The report describes lack of enrichment for animals, cages in various stages of decay and disrepair, empty and dirty water containers, inappropriate feeding practices, stereotypic beachour in many of the animals, as well as public health and safety concerns.
April, 2001: A one year permit is issued with the additional condition to provide enrichment for the animals.
April, 2001: A Fish and Wildlife report indicates that Mr.Gustafson was advised that "failure to meet the conditions of the short term permit will result in no further permit being issued."
April, 2001: Fish and Wildlife Officer Byron Jensen reports that permit conditions are not being met at Guzoo. Examples include bread still being fed to animals (condition six of permit) and stand off barriers still not in place around all relevant enclosures.
May, 2001: FISH AND WILDLIFE TURNS OVER 2 ORPHANED BLACK BEAR CUBS TO GUZOO!
July, 2001- Kevin Stalker orders monthly inspections of Guzoo "due to ongoing concerns surrounding the operation of Guzoo Animal Farm."
August, 2001: Fish and Wildlife Area Manager for Camrose/Red Deer Management Areas notes in an Email to Kevin Stalker that he has concerns about the public contact with wildlife at Guzoo.
November, 2001: Wildlife Rehabilitator, Sian Waters and conservation biologist Clio Smeeton visit Guzoo and document filthy conditions, a monkey with an open wound, frozen water in some cages, a Himalayan Tahr that had escaped the enclosure and began to attack a Mouflon, as well as various health and safety concerns.
January, 2002: The Alberta Health Authority sends a list of health recommendations to Fish and Wildlife Officer B.Jensen to address the ongoing public health and safety concerns at Guzoo.
March, 2002: Health Authority 5 produces a report outlining TEN injuries suffered by visitors to Guzoo who had been bitten by animals between 1997 and 2002.
April, 2002: Guzoo's permit is renewed for siz months with an added permit condition to address public health and safety risks as were outlined by the Public Health Authority.
June, 2002: Zoocheck Canada and WSPA commision a report by zoo professional, J.Long to inspect Guzoo. Long reports inappropriate caging, build up of feces in cages, fly infested carcasses, injured animals, dirty water, stereotypic behaviour, 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 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, 2004: Guzoo's permit is renewed for two months with the added conditions requiring them to address carcass handling, vet care and requires a new zoo plan to be developed.
May 2004: MLA Laurie Blakeman raises concerns over Guzoo in the Alberta Legislature. SRD Minister Mike Cardinal promised to visit Guzoo but reportedly never did.
June, 2004: Guzoos Permit is renewed for six months.
June, 2004: Zoocheck Canada and WSPA commission zoo professional and former Captive Wildlife Expert for the Humane Society of the United States, Richard Farinato, to inspect Guzoo. His report outlines filthy conditions, lack of enrichment, rotting food and dirty water, contact between children and wolf cubs, and poorly maintained enclosures among other things.
November, 2004: Zoocheck publishes Richard Farinato's report which included many permit violations. An official complaint is filed by Zoocheck Canada.
December, 2004: Despite Fish and Wildlife having received evidence of permit violations in the form of video tape, photos, etc. Guzoo's permit is renewed for another 4 months. New conditions are added requiring a quarantine area be provided for zoo animals, a prohibition to farm dogs running throughout the zoo to reduce the risk of spread of disease and keep the dogs from harassing the zoo animals and a requirement for zoo staff to be on hand at Guzoo at all times.
December, 2004: The renewal of Guzoo's permit sparks controversey in media across Canada. The question arises, as to WHY A FACILITY THAT HAS BEEN VIOLATING PERMIT CONDITIONS, THEREBY VOILATING PROVINCIAL LAW FOR YEARS, IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE OPERATING IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA?
January, 2005: A Zoocheck Canada staff member visiting Alberta stops at Guzoo and reports that most animals have no water, cages are filthy and dogs were still running around the zoo.
January 11, 2005: ASPCA Constable T.Wagman visits Guzoo and reports having seen farm dogs running throughout the zoo and indicated that there were no staff present on site during his inspections, BOTH of which are violations of Guzoo's permit.
January 21, 2005: Fish and Wildlife issues written warnings to Lynn Gustafson for contravention of permit conditions 6, 7, and 8.
Febuary, 2005: A visitor to Guzoo files a complaint to Fish and Wildlife which included photos of farm dogs running throughout Guzoo, yet another violation of Guzoo's permit.
