citation_inspection: 19235

*** The den walls for the tiger "Magoo" was made of wood landscape timbers. Some of the timbers were rotten and crumbling and had holes in them. The weakness of the walls could cause a break posing the risk of escape or injury. *** The enclosure for the leopard "Jack" had a bench in the sheltered den area which had deteriorating and splintering wood which could cause injury to the animal. The outdoor enclosure for this same leopard had a broken and splintering landscape timber in one of the resting platforms. Broken and splintering wood poses a risk of injury. *** The the enclosure housing three Patagonian cavies and several tortoises had a very large tortoise burrow in one corner about 2 to 3 feet away from the fence line. The burrow was very deep and the end could not be visualized causing concern that the tunnel may go under the fence. The burrow so close to the fence creates a risk of potential escape or injury to the cavies if the surface were to potentially cave-in. *** The enclosure housing two prairie dogs has sharp pointed wires bending into the enclosure which could cause injury. There is also a rotten landscape timber in the wall that has a very large hole on the outside that is almost full thickness into the enclosure and which could create a hole where the animals could escape. There is no wire, panel or other structure on the inside that would prevent the formation of a through and through gap if the decayed area of wood spreads further. ***In the enclosure housing four black bears there is a large chunk of concrete with a wood post sticking out. This debris in the enclosure poses and injury hazard to the bears. Additionally, the bear den area has damaged wood on two bench platforms which could pose an injury hazard from splinters. The den area was dark and there was not sufficient light to properly inspect, or for the keepers to assess their cleaning, without supplemental light from the flashlights. The inspectors had to use flashlights, a small light on the wall and the camera flashes to at least get a partial assessment of this enclosure. *** The wolf primary enclosure has a very large excavation in the ground at the fence line of the lock-out portion of the enclosure. A portion of this large hole, which is big enough for the wolf to fit in, extends under the fence and there is a risk of a gap opening up that would allow the wolf to escape. ***In "Namib" the black leopards night house there was bowing of the floor panel creating concern that there is separation of the wood from the rest of the structure. The night house is not contained within the primary fencing but is an extension of the primary enclosure. If the floor gives way and the animal were to escape it would be a major concern for the public and ultimately the animal. Other large cats enclosures at this facility have a similar design with wood dens that are extensions of primary enclosures, which creates general containment concerns since decaying wood is not secure. Namib's disposition, displaying aggression and tearing at the fencing raises additional concerns. The housing facilities must be repaired and/or replaced and should be maintained and kept structurally sound to protect and contain the animals.