citation_inspection

The public is allowed to enter a lemur exhibit for encounters with 2 red ruffed lemurs & 2 black & white ruffed lemurs. While inside the exhibit they remain seated on benches with a handler inside with them. During these public encounters, the lemurs are permitted free access within the exhibit and can (and do) run around and jump on and off of the seated patrons. During an encounter, this inspector observed that when one of the lemurs jumped onto the 8 year old boy, the lemur scratched the back of his neck. There were 2 visible longitudinal scratch marks (approx. 1"), but no blood, that were easily visualized by this inspector. This boy also indicated that a lemur nipped at his ear lobe (but did not cause any harm). The licensee indicated that there is a written SOP for this type of encounter, but that SOP was not being stored on-site and therefore could not be reviewed. These primates are not under the direct control (as defined as: to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; commands) of the handler during these encounters. This type of encounter also does not minimize risk of harm to the public as it was observed on the day of the inspection. Fixed public exhibits housing nonhuman primates, such as zoos, must have a barrier between the primary enclosure and the public at any time the public is present, in order to restrict physical contact between the public and the nonhuman primates. Nonhuman primates used in trained animal acts or in uncaged public exhibits must be under the direct control and supervision of an experienced handler or trainer at all times when the public is present. Trained nonhuman primates may be allowed physical contact with the public, but only if they are under the direct control and supervision of an experienced handler or trainer at all times during the contact. Correct immediately.

The light fixture in the left bear den, and the right front tiger den are not working. The intensity of the lighting does not permit a thorough inspection of all of these areas, specifically to determine the structural integrity of the chain link tops of the left bear den and the right front tiger den. The lighting in these 2 areas is noticeable darker than the adjacent dens. It is also not uniformly distributed throughout all of the dens (some dens are much brighter than the others in the same building) Lighting shall be uniformly distributed and of sufficient intensity to permit routine inspector inspection to ascertain compliance with the applicable standards &/or regulations. Correct by February 28, 2015 An exit interview was conducted on-site with the facility director & facility assistant director. The Director did not want to sign for the inspection report, and this report will be E mailed.