Let's hold our Provincial Government responsible for Lucy's Suffering

 

Our Provincial Government, specifically our Minister of Environment & Protected Areas (AEP) and our Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development (AFRED) are not enforcing the Alberta Standards for Zoos and the Alberta Animal Protection Act (APA) with regards to Lucy at the Edmonton Valley Zoo (EVZ). AEP is responsible for public safety and issuance of zoo permits. All permit holders are supposed to comply with the zoo standards. The AFRED is responsible for enforcement of the APA. They are not being complied with in Lucy’s case.
 

Animal Protection Act (APA)

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development (AFRED) administers the Animal Protection Act and its regulation. 

The EVZ is in contravention of Section 2(1) which states the following:

​

For the purposes of this Act, an animal is in distress if it is (a) deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water or veterinary care or reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold, (b) injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or (c) abused or subjected to undue hardship, privation or neglect.

​

• Recent inspections of EVZ have reported that Lucy has been breathing in dust in her barn and that the installation of an exhaust system to eliminate the dust, a humidifier, and UV lighting are required. It is important to note that EVZ has claimed Lucy suffers from an undiagnosed breathing issue which they claim puts her at risk if she was to be relocated to a better facility.

• Asian elephants are subtropical animals and should not reside in Canada as they are not equipped to handle the sub arctic climate in Edmonton (injurious cold).

• Experts have stated in sworn affidavits that the climate and conditions Lucy lives in have contributed to her ill health and that she does suffer from privation. 

​

Alberta Standards for Zoos

​

The Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (AEP )has the lead role and primary responsibility for upholding The Government of Alberta Standards for Zoos.

A person who owns or controls a zoo for which a zoo permit is issued under the Wildlife Act must comply with the Government of Alberta Standards for Zoos in Alberta

​

The zoo is not respecting the Alberta Standards for Zoos on several items including, but not limited to:

1) All animals must be maintained in numbers sufficient to meet their social and behavioural needs

 

2) Habitat enclosures must be of sufficient size to provide for the physical well-being of the animal.

 

3) All animal habitats must be of a size and complexity sufficient to provide for the animal’s physical and social needs and species typical behaviours and movements. 

4) Enclosures must be of sufficient size and design to allow individual animals the opportunity to avoid or withdraw from the view of visitors.

5) Animals must be protected from injurious heat and cold associated with ambient outdoor conditions or any other weather conditions that are detrimental to their health
 

6) Animals must be safely confined.  Direct contact (i.e., touching) between the public and animals is allowed only when this activity is approved in the Zoo Development Plan.  Animals in areas where direct contact with visitors is possible must pose no danger to the public, be comfortable with human contact and be under direct supervision by zoo staff.

​

Please help by sending the letter below.

Thank you!