As Marineland opened its gates this weekend, as well as dozens of other under-regulated captive wildlife facilities, World Animal Protection is calling on all political parties to make sure that this year’s operating season is the last.
The animal protection organization is urging the government to roll out a comprehensive licensing system to restrict the keeping of captive wildlife to facilities that can meet the highest animal welfare and human health and safety standards, backed by meaningful enforcement.
“The lack of transparency after the recent concerning animal deaths at Marineland highlights how broken the system is in Ontario, and frankly, it has been for far too long,” said Michèle Hamers, World Animal Protection Wildlife Campaign Manager. “It’s why we are calling on all political parties to come together to pass meaningful legislative changes and end the culture of non-compliance by making this year the last year for facilities like Marineland to operate in this province.”
The passing of the Provincial Animal Services (PAWS) Act in 2019 was a step in the right direction but there has been no government action on addressing the significant welfare and safety concerns around captive wildlife in the province.
The Toronto Zoo, as well as the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (MLEOA) have joined efforts led by World Animal Protection to bring change to Ontario’s broken model.
It’s estimated that approximately 50% of municipalities in the province don’t have any bans on wild animal ownership.