Feds Asked to Deny Captive Breeding Permit to Notorious ‘Drive-Through’ Zoo

PETA Points to Wild Wilderness’ History of Neglecting Animals

For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

PETA has submitted official comments to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) calling on the agency to put the brakes on the captive breeding permit currently up for renewal by chronic Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violator Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari. A 2014 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection yielded the latest in a long history of gruesome findings, including a spider monkey who had lost the tips of his toes to frostbite, a baboon with an untreated lesion on his scrotum, and another baboon who chewed off part of his tail while the inspector was present.

“Wild Wilderness has shown that it’s unable to meet even the most basic needs of the animals in its care, and PETA is asking authorities to put a stop to its plans to breed or acquire still more animals, who will be forced into a life of deprivation and suffering,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders.

In addition to the USDA’s other recent findings, Wild Wilderness has repeatedly failed to provide isolated primates with enrichment, keep enclosures clean, and provide veterinary care. Wild Wilderness’ failure to comply with the AWA led the FWS to deny the facility’s request for an expansion of its permit in 2012. In March 2013, a 7-month-old lion was found dead, apparently from being strangled by a collar. Wild Wilderness also has a history of endangering humans—according to a report from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, a woman was bitten by a 14-week-old lion cub in October 2014. PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” encourages families to avoid parks where animals are imprisoned for human amusement.

PETA’s letter to the FWS is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org.