citation_inspection: 4260

One Blesbok is being housed with muntjac deer in a pasture behind the barn near the keeper building. The muntjac deer have shelters that are too small for the Blesbok to enter and there is no other shelter for this animal. The licensee stated that the rear of the barn has stall doors to allow the Blesbok access to shelter but currently the stalls are occupied by other animals and the facility would need to move animals to allow the Blesbok access to the barn. One female white Dromedary camel is being housed in the elephant ride area without adequate shelter. The animal is housed in a pasture with the elephant ride stand. The ride stand does have a roof but has no sides and does not provide adequate shelter for this animal. The licensee stated that the camel is in this area so she has plenty of space to move, is away from the other camels, and is easily accessible to staff as she is bred and due to calve soon. This poses an additional concern as the newborn calf would also need shelter from the inclement weather. Ambient day time temperatures were highest on the first day of the inspection (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by inspectors in the morning) and significantly colder on in the subsequent days (in the single digits to 20 degrees F with a significant wind chill). Both the Blesbok and the Dromedary camel require shelter to ensure their health and well-being. Failure to provide adequate shelter exposes animals to the weather and is especially important for the expected newborn calf. Correct this by providing these animals adequate shelter. The licensee and his wife were informed by APHIS officials on 07 January 2015 that these animals required shelter no later than noon on Friday 09 January 2015.