Feds Confirm: Animals Suffering at California Roadside Zoo

Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation Racks Up Animal Welfare Violations Following PETA Complaint

For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

After PETA alerted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to whistleblowers’ reports that animals at the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation in Oroville are routinely denied veterinary care, among other instances of abuse and neglect, the USDA cited the facility for, among other violations, failing to provide animals with adequate veterinary care and clean, drinkable water and feeding them moldy food.

“The authorities have confirmed what former volunteers keep telling PETA: that animals are suffering at the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders.”People who care about animals should never buy a ticket to this despicable roadside zoo.”

According to the April 3 report, which just became publicly available, the facility had no written record of a veterinary-care program. Also, a tiger named Dana has been suffering from an apparently painful, discolored, oozing eye that hadn’t been evaluated by a veterinarian. And there was no indication that the gross obesity of two exotic cats had ever been addressed. Further citations include failing to have an environmental enrichment program for two lemurs; apparently feeding coyotes and bears from an unrefrigerated box containing deli meats, tandoori chicken burritos, Lunchables, and crackers; storing food, which was moldy, in open containers and/or next to products containing chemicals, such as bleach, paint, and car batteries; and providing bears with only filthy brown water to drink.

To see the USDA inspection report and for more information, please visit PETA’s blog.