Zoo Inspections Zoo Industry Ethics Legislation New Zoo

Zoo Inspections Zoo Industry Ethics & Legislation

New Zoo Licence Application At least two months before the application, the zoo must … �Complete “Notice of intention to apply for zoo licence” form from their local authority �Submit form to local authority �Publish notice in local paper and national paper �Display notice at site of zoo

License Application and Renewal �First licence granted to zoo lasts 4 years �Subsequent licences last 6 years �Licences are granted to an individual but may be transferred with the approval of the local authority �Four inspection types: Licence, Periodical, Special, Informal

Licence Inspection �Usually involves one or more Secretary of State Inspectors �Zoo operator given at least 28 days notice �Inspector completes licence report and provides a copy to zoo within one month for comments �Local authority decides whether to grant licence and sends licence, with conditions, to the zoo

Periodical Inspection �Take place during the 3 rd and 6 th year of licence �Inspection by 3 Local Authority representatives (including a vet) and 2 nominated by Secretary of State �Zoo operator given at least 28 days notice �Covers all features of zoo relevant to health, welfare and safety of public and animals �Addresses zoo’s staff involvement with these issues �Requires access to any records relating to conservation

Special Inspection �Can be carried out at any time �Local authority must tell zoo reason for inspection �Could be because of: o Concerns raised by other inspections o Concerns raised by a group about animal welfare or zoo management o Any other circumstances requiring investigation

Informal Inspection �Takes place any year there is no periodical or special inspection �Carried out by single Local Authority inspector �No notice needs to be given �Inspector checks: o No obvious mismanagement o Conditions of licence are met o Progress on recommendations o Any new exhibits or changes

Cheshire East Council fees

Exceptions to the Act �Secretary of State may relax requirements for a small zoo or zoo with only small numbers of different species (not hazardous animals) �Secretary of State may state the Act shall not apply to a particular zoo �In this case, the local authority has no powers under the Act to inspect the zoo

Hazardous animals at Sparsholt College?

Level 1 (most risk) �Gila monster �zebu

Level 2 (less risk) �Meerkat �Alpaca �False water cobra �Red panda �Raccoon dog �Rhea

Conservation measures required �Research which helps conserve wild animals and/or �Training in relevant conservation skills and/or �Exchange of information on conservation of wild animals and/or �Where appropriate, breeding of wild animals in captivity and/or �Where appropriate, reintroduction into the wild of wild animals

Conservation measures required �Promote public education on conservation of biodiversity �Accommodate animals under conditions which aim to satisfy the biological and conservation requirements of the species �Prevent animal escapes and have contingency plans in place �Prevent the intrusion of pests and vermin into the zoo premises �Keep up-to-date records of the zoo’s collection

Conclusions �…

References

Questions? Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)