GuZoo, the controversial private zoo near Three Hills, was visited by provincial officials on Tuesday.

Representatives from Sustainable Resources and Development were at the zoo, following up on a conditional permit.

Just over a year ago, GuZoo was shut down because of animal welfare concerns but was given a conditional permit to remain open.

Animal lovers targeted the zoo in a social media campaign last April, claiming the zoo was mistreating its animals after graphic images appeared online.

Following the expiration of the permit, the zoo was shut down once more, with provincial officials saying there is a problem when you mix farm and zoo animals together.

But lobbying from support groups forced the province to keep the facility open under the following strict conditions:

  • 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.

GuZoo owner Lynn Gustafson has always asserted that his animals were healthy and well taken care of.

Gustafson was notified about the inspection about a month ago.

Zoocheck, an organization that has long wanted the zoo shut down, says sending notification about the visit gives zoo operators too much time to get things in order.

"You want to know what the situation for the animals is like on any day not a day when someone's had the chance to, for instance in this case, clean up the property or potentially fix non-compliant issues that will later go back to being non-compliant. And that's the problem," said Julie Woodyer from Zoocheck.

The zoo remains open to visitors under court imposed conditions.

For frequently asked questions about GuZoo, visit the Alberta ESRD website.