The Virginia Legal professional Common’s Workplace lately launched warrants detailing the stunning findings from an investigation into the Herbal Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County. The investigation, initiated by means of the Legal professional Common’s Animal Regulation Unit in collaboration with Virginia State Police, has exposed distressing stipulations and practices on the zoo.
The warrants, filed within the Circuit Court docket of Rockbridge County, define fees associated with the care of significant other animals, care of agricultural animals, and cruelty to animals. The premises had been discovered to deal with 95 dwelling animals, at the side of dozens of deceased animals and quite a lot of animal frame portions.
A few of the animals seized had been 12 white-faced capuchins, 15 macaws, a serval, Burmese and ball pythons, a mini donkey, and a lot of others. Tragically, a white tiger named Zeus used to be euthanized all the way through the investigation, with zoo proprietor Debbie Mogensen saying it used to be carried out to finish the animal’s struggling.
Gretchen, Mogensen’s daughter and a zoo consultant, defined that Zeus have been in poor health and refusing to devour. A veterinarian used to be reportedly taking good care of the tiger, and the verdict to euthanize used to be made.
The warrants don’t specify whether or not different seized animals had been already deceased or euthanized all the way through the investigation. A court docket listening to is scheduled for December 20 within the Rockbridge County Common District Court docket.
The listing of deceased animals, animal portions, and belongings seized is intensive and features a euthanized white Bengal tiger, a deceased giraffe, servals, a guenon, a mandrill, and extra. Moreover, hectic pieces akin to giraffe tails, zebra pelt, and frozen giraffe feces had been confiscated.
A volunteer on the zoo, Lara Watson, vehemently defended the ability, saying that the animals obtain top-notch care when it comes to meals, water, and a spotlight. On the other hand, critics, together with Debbie Leahy of the Humane Society of america, argue that justice for mistreated animals is lengthy past due. Leahy describes Herbal Bridge Zoo as a “pitiful roadside zoo” motivated by means of benefit on the expense of humane remedy.
This isn’t the primary time the Herbal Bridge Zoo has confronted scrutiny. In 2017, the ability gained a number of violations from the USDA, together with considerations concerning the remedy of an elephant named Asha. The USDA record highlighted “appalling and archaic stipulations” on the zoo, elevating considerations concerning the well being and protection dangers posed to each animals and the general public.
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This article by means of Trinity Sparke used to be first revealed by means of One Inexperienced Planet on 12 December 2023. Symbol Credit score :Amy Sheehan/Shutterstock.