GuZoo Animal Farm, Canada: A safe haven for animals or a long way from that?
69Guzoo Canada is billed as the Canada's largest private Zoo. I came across it by way of Hubber albertacowpoke who, knowing my passion for animal welfare, thought I might interested in this zoo's current problems. Having read the story myself it is for you the reader to decide if this zoo should maintain its operating licence and if it is worth a visit.
For me the jury is out but my gut instinct is that this zoo is bad news. However, to make any sort of judgement we need a balanced Hub, so here goes.
THE GOOD? WELL GUZOO'S INFORMATION
Guzoo has its own website which obviously extols its virtues. The zoo is open every day of the year from 9am until dark. This maximises money made, visitors, the visitor's experience and gives the zoo's animals little chance of peace and quiet.
Guzoo operates under the Alberta government license. This license is up for renewal now. The zoo has become known as the largest licensed private zoo in Canada. It is not funded by the government at all. Guzoo, its owners claim, is a family run business where visitors can experience animals close up.
THE BAD AND THE WORSE
Recent media reports have painted a rather different picture of Guzoo. They show that it is not a happy place for the animals. One image showed a small and rather isolated looking three legged pig. It was in an enclosure where visitors could pet it. When no visitors were around it looked rather sad, dejected and lonely.
Images in Canadian news reports and online, show animals with wounds needing medical treatment. These also show dirty surroundings and living conditions for the zoos resident animals.
Facebook has had many images showing the true state of Guzoo. Those poting the images are not animal welfare activists but rather concerned individuals.
THE LATEST GOOD NEWS
I started this hub early on, 2nd June 2011. Hours later as I sat down to complete this hub there was good news. Guzoo which is situated near Three Hills, Alta, has been closed down. Its license to operate has not been renewed.
When such zoos close it can be bad news for the animals. However it has to be better than they way these animals have been kept at Guzoo.
The zoo's owner. when threatened with closure in the past has said that, a lion is worth 10,000 dollars to him, if he sells it to a taxidermist. This shows the true nature of this man who puports to care about the animals at the zoo.
The zoo's owner Lynn Gustafson has ran the zoo since it was opened 20 years ago. Since he was told on Wednesday that the zoo would be closed, this man has remained adamant that he will reopen the zoo next week. He maintains that all the animals are healthy and have been well cared for.
He issued a statement saying that he would reopen the zoo with only domestic animals. However, there is no guarantee these will fare any better. If he does reopen this zoo it will be an unlicensed one.
Keep an eye out for developments regarding this zoo and its owners. It could be reopened and be a much better place. The odds are though that it will reopen and cause problems for a different set of animals.
Having written this hub I now know in my mind that Guzoo should close and the animals already there be re-homed elsewhere.
Petition the authorities and do what you can to ensure this zoo is not a financial success. One way or another it should be closed, for good.
Ethel's latest hubs
- Why Crete is special
From the moment that I glimpsed the large Greek Island of Crete from the plane I knew I was going to like the place. - 2 weeks ago
- I'm a Celebrity Get Me out of Here Fun
I'm a Celebrity Get Me out of Here returned to UK TV screens on November 13, 2011. - 6 months ago
- Choosing the right pen name
Do you write under your own name or like this Hubber do you prefer to use a pen name. - 6 months ago
- X Factor UK
For 2011 X Factor has crossed the Pond. - 6 months ago
Having made it this far please take the time to rate this hub and if appropriate, vote FUNNY/ USEFUL/ AWESOME or BEAUTIFUL. Check out the ads to offer this writer some recompense for her time. Thank-you
Join the Hubbers at Hubpages to participate yourself.
CommentsLoading...
Big dogs usually are. Little dogs often have little dog itis
Yeah my cockapoo used to love car rides, so did the malamute. Haha it's bringing back memories when that 120lb dog was in the passenger seat and psyched out people. He was a real teddy bear.
Thanks for calling back. Yes you are right Karl. My dog is a house dog but I know in reality it is alien to her. She has the run of the house and the garden. On walks to the park, or a nearby field she is always off her lead. She loves the company of other dogs and is a sweet and sociable soul. Of course she still misses her buddy Leo who was sadly euthanised last year. We taker her to the coast on train and on the bus at times and she loves these adventures
Ethel and sweetie. I personally agree with both of you on the issue of zoos. I have six horses and they roam 32 hectares or 80 acres. I don't believe horses should be kept in small stalls nor should big dogs be in the city and tied on a chain all day. Both animals are either pack or herd animals that need to interact with others. It grieves me to see horses in stalls or small paddocks.
The same goes with animals in zoos. You don't see them in their natural environment. Even if they are cared for well, it is not their environment.
Yes these days Zoos are unnecessary but you have to protect those animals left in zoos.
He can be as grumpy as he likes Karl as long as the animals are kept safe
Wow how can canada allow people to open Zoos when he dont even care about animals and only care about how much each animal is worth. We in India donot allow private Zoos but Govt Zoos dont fare much better. I feel wild animals should live in wild and not in zoo no matter how much we wish our children to see them.
Unfortunately I don't know enough about the owner. He may be just a bit peeved. I have seen him on tv and he most certainly is. Threatening to have animals stuffed is certainly not a good PR move. Maybe he is just a grumpy old man, lol.
Karl I agree that sometimes picture can mislead. However the owner is hardly acting in a sensible manner right now. You have to worry for the animals.
Great info and agree this place is not fit to be open. Thanks for keeping us informed. Blessings
Hi ethel I agree with you the place should be kept closed and they should find other places the could give a better home to these animals .
Useful and vote up !!!
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this zoo. Locals and some disabled persons group support the zoo and attest that they are being treated well. It also seems that Alberta authorities say that the animals were not mistreated. It begs the question why the licence was not renewed. Pictures sometimes replace a 1000 words.
I know CM. I feel that the animals should be seized. There are some reports that he was not abusive to the animals. However they are at his mercy right now.
The owner does seem to be a rather obstinate man, and if he is not prepared to care for the animals properly he should be shut down. However, my worry is that if the authorities cannot place any of the animals into other zoos or wildlife parks, they may have them destroyed. I am not a fan of private zoos, as very few individuals have the money and knowledge to run them properly
Thanks for the visit. Now that the authorities have declared this place a no go they should seize the animals. I saw that he said the animals were worth money to him stuffed. I think we know who wants stuffing. Petition who you can to stop this nutcase. What about Canada's SPCA?
The guzoo deserves to be shut down. What a horrible place and what horrible people that own it. Lets hope these unfortunate animals go some where they can get the best care. Wouldn't it be nice if all wild animals could live in the wild where they belong. I hate people who exploit innocent animals just to make money. The law should protect these animals and make sure no more harm comes to them. We all have to stand up for the animals.
This is what I just read on Facebook from a friend
yay! the guzoo has been shut down!! :) now the animals can go to places where they will be treated properly. hurrah!!
"oh but now the owner says he owns the animals and will kill them and have them stuffed rather then send them off to sanctuaries and other facilities. what a lunatic.
I am hoping that this guy can be stopped from actually doing this.
Paulart Level 3 Commenter 3 months ago
I like your hub.