citation_inspection: 11726

The licensee is not regularly involved in the day to day care of the animals and facilities, and he could not provide basic information about the identity or condition of the animals when asked. The licensee stated that he has 2 employees that live on site. The facility currently has 112 animals including 13 species. These species have complex medical, behavioral, nutritional, and other husbandry needs. Conditions at the facility currently do not meet the professional level of husbandry practices described in the regulations and standards. For example, in the last 14 months, 9 tigers,1 lion, 1 bobcat, 1 leopard, and 2 kinkajous were found dead. During the inspection, 7 tigers, 1 binturong, 2 coatimundi, and 2 leopards were identified with veterinary care problems that were no(cid:25)t receiving appropriate care. Two tiger cubs and 1 leopard had veterinary care problems that were currently under treatment. Young animals (2 tiger cubs, 1 golden tabby liger cub currently, 3 tiger cubs recently starting to wean) at the facility were being hand raised and require around the clock specialized care and feeding. A total of 36 enclosures, affecting 69 animals, had no shade(cid:20). This has been an ongoing problem that has been cited since May 2009. Inspectors asked when the licensee would provide shade and he stated that the "new owner would have to deal with fixing the shade". The licensee claimed that all 62 enclosures of animals are provided water three times a day, however, the enclosure #36 housing 2 black bears, Cody and Pebbles, had little water or water that was severely contaminated during the inspection. At least 14 enclosures were in varying degrees of disrepair. At least 10 enclosures had evidence of excessive flies, at least 3 enclosures had excessive excreta, and rodent activity was present in various locations. The excessive number of animal welfare concerns indicates that there is not a sufficient number of adequately trained employees to maintain a professionally acceptable level of husbandry practices. Facilities are required to utilize a sufficient number of adequately trained employees to maintain the professional husbandry standards described in the regulations and standards to ensure that the animals are kept in appropriately maintained, sanitary facilities and receive appropriate monitoring, veterinary care, feeding, watering, and care. The licensee must evaluate the current work load and staffing level and ensure that a sufficient number of adequately trained employees are utilized to maintain the professionally acceptable level of husbandry practices described in the regulations and standards. A sufficient number of adequately trained employees shall be utilized to maintain the professionally acceptable level of husbandry practices set forth in this subpart. To be corrected by 9/30/2015. Inspection conducted on 9/9/2015 with licensee, AC Supervisory Animal Care Specialist, Tanya Tims, DVM, and AC VMO, Tracy Thompson, DVM. A thorough exit interview, with detailed descriptions of the animals requiring veterinary care, was conducted by telephone on 9/11/2015 with the licensee and AC VMO, Tracy Thompson, DVM. Additional Inspectors Tims Tanya, Assistant Director