citation_inspection: 4259

The following non-compliances with food storage were identified during this inspection. 1) The walk-in freezer used to store meat to feed the animals is filthy and ice has accumulated on the back shelves. Animal livestock carcasses for feeding were piled on the floor, uncovered and dirty. This food is not free from contamination or freezer burn and its consumption could result in animal illness and discomfort. The freezer also contains deceased animals previously exhibited at the facility such as a giraffe head and numerous bird specimens. The licensee stated that these are being stored for later use as taxidermy specimens. Bodies of dead exhibit animals must not be stored in the same freezer as food to prevent contamination of the meat from disease organisms that may have caused or contributed to the death of the exhibit animals. The dead exhibit animals, the piles of dirty uncovered animal livestock carcasses, and any other contaminated and/or freezer burned food must be removed from the walk-in freezer. The freezer must be cleaned and the frozen food wrapped or stored in closed containers to protect the food supplies from deterioration, contamination and freezer burn. Correct by 24 January 2015. 2) The hay stored in the hayloft above the stalls by the keeper building is contaminated with bird feces, feathers, alive and dead pigeons. A couple of old mattress infested with pigeons and multiple containers are also stored in the hayloft. Bird feces, feathers and pigeons may contain bacteria and/or parasites. Hay that is wet with feces may mold. The animals receiving this hay may become ill. The old mattress, containers, pigeons and contaminated hay must be removed, and the hayloft cleaned for the hay to be stored in facilities that adequately protect it against deterioration, molding and contamination by vermin. Correct by 24 January 2015.