bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
A stunningly cute new arrival this morning... a little girl West African Giraffe. Another top class success story from the SAFARI ZOO . This is the rarest Giraffe sub species in captivity and we are the ONLY zoo in the UK to hold them and breed them. Come see her over the next weeks as she ventures out into the sunshine for you all to see. ! David Gill the Zoos owner , who built the Zoo in 1994 has always had a passion for Giraffes and he has had excellent success with them over the years. The most important success however is in Niger , West Africa where he has been deeply involved with the management and operations of the best Giraffe Recovery Project ever undertaken. The Peralta Giraffe was on the verge of imminent extinction with only 60 animals known to exist in 2000. with constant work, excellent community participation and humanitarian work the population is now over 450 animals and growing. David's mission in building and operating the Safari Zoo is to bring the reality of wildlife conservation to you and to involve you in making a difference. The success of the Zoo is down to David's passion and enthusiasm for taking on seemingly hopeless conservation objectives and making them succeed. We are presently building a whole new Giraffe facility for our breeding group of West African Giraffes and David has designed and created a fantastic new environment for them to continue the breeding success into the future.
We are World leaders in Giraffe breeding and conservation at the SAFARI ZOO.
David, David, David...but then again its all ego.
We had 6 new arrivals yesterday..... they are from Africa.... eat locusts and other insects . dig holes in sand and are always on the lookout ! what do you think they are?
Our free roaming groups of Ring Tailed Lemurs have been running free for 21 years now at SAFARI ZOO. This is a unique and special experience in the UK to walk amongst completely Free Lemurs with no boundary but their own chosen one. David Gill the owner and vision behind the zoo concepts and success sponsored a long term study in Madagascar many years ago to discover all about the natural behaviours of these wonderful animals. what we discovered allows us to utilise natural behaviour patterns and re create nature in the Safari Zoo. We have over 70 of them and the new babies for 2016 have already started to arrive... they all usually have young within a few weeks of each other. They live in three distinct groups within the zoo and have total freedom to go and do as they wish ...(except in the restaurant and picnic areas where they are banned ! ) However they do have well defined territories and very rarely go outside of them. This is why so many people choose to drive that little bit further .... and visit SAFARI ZOO because you simply cannot get a totally natural and free experience like this anywhere else at all
So despite the zoo and Gill being told to improve and make better the establishment , to improve the housing and enrichment, the bedding and diet, to control the vermin, to stop the high number of animal deaths and bites to staff and public, to stop bringing in species and correct what is there, etc. we continue with the saga.
55 – Condition A19 – Shelters in Africa Field
The Principal Environmental Health Officer reported that the new Africa House and its adjacent Africa Field formed the Northern boundary to the Zoo.
When inspected on 23rd April, 2015 these where relatively new developments. At that time the Inspector was asked to look at the recent arrival of a single male nyala. The new building was not ready to receive animals however, the Zoo had taken collection of this nyala. On 13th August, 2015 it was reported to this Committee that the nyala arrived without the correct notification period being given. The Zoo argued that these animals were difficult to obtain.
Together with the zebra already present, the nyala had access to a shipping container that had been placed in the field to act as a shelter.
By the time of the inspection on 17th and 18th November, 2015, the number of animals in the African Field had increased and included animals new to the collection namely, two male Bactrian camels and wildebeest, as well as the incumbent zebra, donkeys and goats. The Zoo had also received 5 more nyala.
At the time of the inspection the indoor housing within the Africa House was still incomplete and on the two days of the inspection the animals were unable to enter the main building due to the continuing building work. The container provided for the animals was far too small to provide shelter for all these animals, and Inspectors noted aggression between the camels and the zebra over feeding stations.
It should be noted that at the time of the inspection the weather was heavy rain.
By the end of the inspection it had been revealed that the 5 out of 6 nyala that the Zoo had received earlier that year had died. This included two that had died the week of the inspection. The Zoo’s Management Team explained to the Inspectors that these had probably died from exposure, as they had no access to the indoor housing whilst the building was being completed.
The Inspectors’ had noted at Point 9 and 10 of their “Comments and Recommendations”: -
9. The Inspectors were dismayed and shocked to see bales and pallets held together with baler twine used as temporary holding for mixed exhibit of Bactrian camels, wildebeest, nyala and zebra in the Africa House. Such inadequate and insecure holding arrangements should not be part of modern zoo practice.
10. From the information provided, it would appear that the recent nyala deaths were preventable and were the result of a poor decision-making process which the Inspectors hope will no longer occur under a new management structure”.
Further, at point 19 of their recommended “Additional Conditions” they stated:-
“During the completion of the indoor accommodation of the Africa House the animals already present in the outside enclosure, occasionally, cannot or will not use the Africa House for shelter.”
The Committee were concerned about this issue and had asked the Officer’s along
with the Veterinary Inspector to agree revised wording for the condition during an adjournment to alleviate the Committee’s concerns. The revised wording was submitted to Members as follows:-
In accordance with 2.2 of the SSSMZP shelter providing sufficient space for the accommodation of all of the animals having access to the African Field must be made available at all times. A written protocol detailing how this will be achieved must be made, adhered to, and a copy forwarded to the Licensing Authority (Timescale: 3 months).
All parties concerned were given the opportunity to make representations and ask
questions.
It was moved by Councillor Sweeney that the above revised condition be attached to the Zoo’s licence and the timescale be amended from 3 months to compliance by 22nd May, 2016. This was duly seconded, voted upon and unanimously; In accordance with 2.2 of the SSSMZP shelter providing sufficient space for the accommodation of all the animals having access to the African Field must be made available at all times. A written protocol detailing how this will be achieved must be made, adhered to and a copy forwarded to the Licensing Authority.
57 – Condition A21 – Review of Diets and Nutrition
The Principal Environmental Health Officer reported that at the inspection on 17th and 18th November, 2015, the Inspectors noted that diet sheets for the animals were kept on the wall in the kitchen/ food preparation area. The diets were made up from food that would otherwise have gone into a waste stream from a major supermarket, fresh supplies that were bought in, together with proprietary food from specialist suppliers. It was apparent that the diets had not been reviewed for some time and this was acknowledged by the Zoo’s Management.
The Inspectors noted their concerns in Point 6 in the “Comments and Recommendations” section of their report: -
" 6. The inspectors were concerned that some animal diets e.g. psittacine birds, fennec fox and public feeding diets for macropods, capybara, mara, were nutritionally inadequate and do not reflect current knowledge and best practice. There should be a full documented dietary review for all species with veterinary input (including from Andrew Greenwood), to incorporate current nutritional guidelines for relevant species.”
All parties concerned were given the opportunity to make representations and ask
questions.
It was moved by Councillor Sweeney that the Officer’s recommended condition be attached to the Zoo’s licence but the timescale for compliance be amended from 6 months to compliance by 22nd May, 2016. The motion was duly seconded, voted upon and it was unanimously;
In accordance with 1.1, 1.12 and 1.13 of the SSSMZP a full review of diets and nutrition across all species, in consultation with the veterinary consultants, must be carried out. Records of all diets and the changes made must be documented and kept.
Timescale: 22nd May, 2016.
61 – Condition A30 – Future Design of Enclosures
During the inspection on 17th and 18th November, 2015 a keeper was observed by the Inspectors walking in with a White Rhino, whilst moving the animal. During a subsequent Special Inspection which took place on 3rd February, 2016 a member of staff was observed being in direct contact with 2 camels. Both these species were listed as Category 1 animals and non protected contact was deemed potentially high risk, as it put the keepers at risk should something go wrong. For example if the rhino had a ‘bad day’ the keeper may find themselves in a very dangerous position. This type of animal management, although not banned, was to be discouraged.
Furthermore when the Zoo were questioned [by the Inspectors] regarding the plans for the new giraffe enclosures within the Africa House the Inspectors noted that to close the gates in the Giraffe House the Keepers must enter the enclosure with the giraffe to carry out this task.
At point 30 of the Inspectors “Additional Conditions” they had noted:-
“The practice of designing brand new facilities for Category 1 animals, such as the rhino and giraffe, whereby the Keepers have no option but to be in direct contact with the animal, is not utilising up to date husbandry guidelines and can be a high risk to the keepers. In accordance with 1.5 and 5.1 and of the SSSMZP the design of the accommodation in the new Africa house must be such that keepers do not have to go into an enclosure with a Category 1 animal to be able to work gates, supply food or move them. It may be that with appropriate risk assessments and for certain specimens it may be possible to manage such Category 1 animals with contact, but a non-contact system must be available for new or proven aggressive animals or new staff.”
As enclosures were redesigned, the staff would require training regarding the new arrangements for animal husbandry, welfare, and any safe systems of work.
The Committee were concerned about this issue and had asked the Officer’s along
with the Veterinary Inspector to agree revised wording for the condition during an adjournment to alleviate the Committee’s concerns. The revised wording was submitted to Members as follows:-
“In accordance with 1.5 and 5.1 of the SSSMZP the design of any new or remodelled accommodation for Category 1 animals must be sanctioned by a suitably qualified person and submitted to the Licensing Authority prior to the accommodation being built. The design must ensure that keepers do not have to enter an enclosure with a Category 1 animal. A written document detailing the animal management practices, including risk assessments, must be forwarded to the Licensing Authority before the accommodation is occupied.”
All parties concerned were given the opportunity to make representations and ask
questions.
It was moved by Councillor Sweeney that the amended condition as detailed above be attached to the Zoo’s licence and that the timescale be amended from 3 months to immediate. The motion was duly seconded, voted upon and unanimously; In accordance with 1.5 and 5.1 of the SSSMZP the design of any new or remodelled accommodation for Category 1 animals must be sanctioned by a suitably qualified person and submitted to the Licensing Authority prior to the accommodation being built. The design must ensure that keepers do not have to enter an enclosure with a Category 1 animal. A written document detailing the animal management practices, including risk assessments, must be forwarded to the Licensing Authority before the accommodation is occupied.
Timescale: Immediate
65 – Condition A8 – Review of Public Feeding
The Principal Environmental Health Officer reported that the Zoo offered an immersive experience for visitors with the opportunity to feed animals in an unsupervised manner by purchasing bags of food on the day. There were also supervised feeding sessions through the purchase of wristbands. In addition, the Zoo offered extra experiences such as the feeding the big cats. The Inspectors were generally supportive of this; however, there was no evidence that the Zoo had undertaken any suitable risk assessments regarding the individual elements of the feeding experiences and in particular, the risk to the public from zoonotic infections.
The feeding of the big cats was allowed under strict supervision as a “paid for experience”. This included the opportunity to prepare the meat to feed to the large carnivores. This was usually meat which was not fit for human consumption and therefore carried a high zoonotic risk. There was no advice that the public must wear gloves.
During the inspection on 17th and 18th November, 2015 the Inspectors observed the Keepers wearing gloves whilst preparing meat in the meat kitchen.
All parties concerned were given the opportunity to make representations and ask
questions.
It was moved by Councillor Sweeney that the Officer’s recommendation be amended and attached to the Licence as follows:-
“In accordance with paragraphs 1.5 and 1.10, any organised sessions of members of the public preparing food or feeding animals that involves raw meat and fish must be the subject of a written risk assessment and protective gloves must be worn by all participants (Timescale: Immediate).”
The above amendment was duly seconded, voted upon and it was unanimously; In accordance with paragraphs 1.5 and 1.10, any organised sessions of members of the public preparing food or feeding animals that involves raw meat and fish must be the subject of a written risk assessment and protective gloves must be worn by all participants.
Timescale: Immediate
71 – Condition A18 – Temporary Enclosures in Africa House
The Principal Environmental Health Officer reported that Committee would note that the Inspectors had recommended 33 “Additional Conditions” on the inspection form. Throughout the Inspection, Inspectors provided information and advice to the Zoo Management and this was summarised in a formal debrief session at the end of the second day (18th November, 2015), therefore the Zoo had known about many of the items under discussion at today’s meeting since that time.
Licensing Officers had been in contact with the Zoo since the Inspection and visited the Zoo on 16th December, 2015. It had been confirmed with the Zoo that the following Condition A18 had been resolved and had been seen and approved by the Authority and Mr Brash, in his role as the Council’s advisor
RESOLVED:- Members note that Additional Condition A18 of the Inspectors’ Report has been complied with and that the completion has been approved by the Licensing Authority, therefore, does not require inclusion on the Zoo licence.
