From the News: Roadside Zoo Round-Up

I like to use this blog to share positive stories from the world of zoos.  These might consist of a new exhibit opening, a spectacular birth, or an important conservation initiative.  It always makes me happy to see our profession growing and strengthening, striving to be better.


Not everyone is having a good year so far, however.  Far from the spotlight shared by the San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo, the National Zoo, and other world-renowned facilities, there are hundreds of smaller zoos and sanctuaries scattered around the country, many of them privately owned.  At the same time that many of the accredited zoos, run by municipalities or nonprofits, are plugging along just fine, they seem to in some distress.


Much of that appears to be associated with accusations of providing inadequate care for their animals.  These are some of their stories...


Indiana: Wildlife in Need founder speaks after USDA revokes license for 'well over 120 violations'
Iowa: Judge orders removal of animals from Cricket Hollow zoo near Manchester
Maryland: Zoo prepares for big cat removal; protests planned
Virginia: Owner, nephew face 46 counts of animal cruelty over roadside zoo in Winchester
Wisconsin: Animal rights group sues over conditions at Wisconsin roadside zoo

A Siberian tiger, who later died, rests in an old swimming pool at Tri-State Zoological Park in Cumberland in 2013 (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)