Less than a year after it was ordered to close, Alberta's most controversial zoo is back in business.
GuZoo is welcoming visitors once again to its roadside site in Three Hills.
Owner Lynn Gustafson is now under strict operating conditions as he allows the public back onto to his land to see some of his 500 exotic animals.
The zoo has been plagued by troubles for years, amid complaints of animal neglect and unsafe, inhumane conditions.
Last summer, the province ordered the zoo to shut down and Gustafson to get rid of the animals.
But he appealed and late last year, the government gave in, allowing GuZoo to reopen with tough new rules.
One of the province's strict new rules forbids Gustafson from bringing any animals onto his property, even carcasses for feed.
So he has been raising and killing his own feed animals on his land and says he plans to continue.
But those wanting GuZoo gone see it as one more affront to animal welfare and want it shut down.
Conditions imposed against GuZoo:
- Maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance (not less than $2million per occurrence);
- Allow access to zoo premises by GOA representatives to carry out their responsibilities;
- All animals that are not wildlife or controlled animals, but that have co-mingled with wildlife or controlled animals on the zoo premises, can only be dispersed in the same way as wildlife or controlled animals, unless otherwise agreed to by the Minister's representative;
- No transportation of animals onto or off of the premises is allowed without prior authorization;
- The operator of the zoo must comply with Alberta Standards for Zoos;
- The operator must notify Drumheller District Fish and Wildlife office of any injuries caused by animals to visitors or zoo employees, within 48 hours;
- The operator must notify the Drumheller District Fish and Wildlife office and the designated zoo veterinarian of any injuries, illness or deaths of animals on the zoo premises, within 48 hours;
- The operator must notify the Drumheller District Fish and Wildlife office of the discovery of any escape of animals from the zoo, within 3 hours;
- The operator must make the effort to contain, recapture, secure or if necessary kill any escaped animals;
- Record-keeping must be secure and complete as per the requirements of the Alberta Zoo Standards, including veterinarian reports;
- Inventory and progeny from breeding of the wildlife or controlled animals must be documented;
- The public must not be allowed to have contact with specific wildlife or controlled animals listed in the schedule.
