Animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo are living lives of boredom and frustration, according to our report.
The report, commissioned by VHS from Zoocheck, found that many animals at the zoo are living in barren, under-sized cages and enclosures that restrict them from engaging in natural behaviours.
The report also says the zoo does not provide adequate behavioural enrichment for the animals. (Behavioural enrichment involves providing animals with a stimulating environment that allows natural activities such as climbing, foraging or digging and also creates physical and cognitive tasks that simulate challenges animals would find in their natural environment.)
We’re calling on the zoo to:
- develop a comprehensive environmental/behavioural enrichment program for all its animals.
- stop keeping animals that aren’t suited to B.C.’s climate and those it cannot accommodate in a way that better meet their physical, psychological and social needs.
- remove or enlarge inadequate, undersized cages.
In the longer term, we think the zoo should stop keeping exotic animals and transition toward becoming a sanctuary for native species.
Please join us in sending a message to the Greater Vancouver Zoo that it needs to improve life for the animals it currently holds while working toward ending the keeping of captive animals for the sake of public entertainment.