GuZoo FAQ

The Government of Alberta ordered the decommissioning of GuZoo on June 9, 2011. The owner of GuZoo requested a judicial review, which places the government’s order under legal review.

In addition, on July 5 a consent order with court-imposed conditions was signed that allows GuZoo to operate while decommissioning was undergoing a legal review.

On December 21, 2011, an adjournment postponing legal action to no fixed date was implemented as part of legal proceedings. The zoo must operate under strict court-imposed conditions.

• Court-imposed conditions include:
  • 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.

The assessment was undertaken by a highly qualified veterinarian and a zoo professional with the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA).

Representatives of Sustainable Resource Development and the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were with the CAZA inspection team on the GuZoo site visit on May 4 and 5.

The review showed numerous shortcomings in GuZoo’s compliance with Alberta Zoo Standards.

Gaps were found in the areas of staff training, animal care, record-keeping, animal transportation and containment, public and staff safety, and conservation and education.

The greatest concern was that domestic (pets/livestock) and controlled (wildlife/exotic) animals often intermingle and may spread disease and parasites that could affect public and animal safety.

To see the complete review prepared for the Alberta government by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, see:

• CAZA GuZoo Inspection Report- May 2011 (16 pages)

The review was based on 108 elements from the Alberta Zoo Standards and CAZA’s experience and expertise.

Government officials reviewed and approved CAZA’s inspection form and process.

Staff from CAZA conducted the interview and completed the report.

There were a history of issues and an independent review showing a long list of major deficiencies.

The Alberta government had issued a 60-day decommissioning permit to GuZoo that did not allow public access. This permit was to provide the operator time to work with government to complete decommissioning of the zoo.

Following a legal application made by the owner of the zoo, the decommissioning is a matter before the court and further comments cannot be made. In addition, a court order staying the decommissioning is in effect as of July 5, 2011. The zoo is allowed to operate under strict conditions.

An adjournment by mutual agreement was implemented December 21, 2011, which postpones legal action to no fixed date.

Within the facility’s zoo development plan, steps are identified for decommissioning.

The primary objective is to obtain safe and secure locations for the animals. Over the 60 days following the decommissioning order, the Government of Alberta was to work with the zoo operator, the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and other organizations on the decommissioning and encourage ethical and humane treatment of the animals.

If the operator decides to remove animals from the facility, regulations relating to animals under both provincial and federal legislation must be followed.

The legal action which has led to staying of the decommissioning is in effect as of July 5. The zoo is allowed to operate under strict conditions under the court order.

GuZoo has domestic animals in direct contact with controlled (wildlife and exotic) animals. As a result, none of the animals can simply be released or sold.

Under the decommissioning order, we would have been working with the operator and providing advice on the best options for the animals, including working with organizations such as CAZA to help place the animals.

The decommissioning order is no longer in effect following the legal court order on July 5 that stays the decommissioning. There are conditions the zoo operator must follow, including measures to address care and handling of the animals.

Under the court order signed July 5, 2011, the GuZoo must follow conditions for the care and handling of the animals, as well as allow access for government officers to inspect the animals and the facility.

The adjournment implemented on December 21, 2011, does not affect the court-imposed conditions on the operation of the GuZoo, so those conditions continue.