Raise the Hammer
A recent trip to a local roadside zoo has forever embedded a haunted memory of torment and depression as captive animals languish in substandard conditions.
By Paul Glendenning
Published November 08, 2006
A recent trip to a local roadside zoo has forever embedded a haunted memory of torment and depression as captive animals languish in substandard conditions. The trip was triggered after alarming reports were released condemning Killman Zoo in Caledonia.
Two respected animal protection organizations, Zoocheck and the World Society for the Protection of Animals, released reports this year that came down hard on the many ramshackle horrors referred to as zoos or animal parks found across the country. In Ontario alone there are 71.
Among the zoos receiving a failing grade is Caledonia's Killman Zoo. Both reports seriously condemn the facility, basing their final recommendations on detailed observations by professionals such as Elsie Poulsen, who has a B.Sc in Biology and a four year Zookeeping Diploma from the City of Calgary Apprenticeship programs. Poulsen has also worked as both a Field biologist in Alberta's Oil Industry and a zookeeper at the Calgary Zoo.
Key problems identified included, undersized barren cages, under stimulated and obese animals, poor cleanliness, unnecessary breeding of animals, and inadequate food items (peanuts for some and signs requesting freezer burnt meat donations). Of the Exhibits reviewed in detail by each of the reports, all failed.
In answer to these reports, there have been no cases reported of action being taken. Killman Zoo refused to respond to requests for comments, but did respond to the Hamilton Spectator saying the SPCA had been there and told them "everything was fine."
At the Welland Humane Society, which has jurisdiction over Killman, cautious employees would only point to a lack of enforceable laws and that the case involving Killman was ongoing so no comment could be made.
The Ministry of Natural Resources response to WSPA's report was that their purview was native animals only and that they saw no identifiable violations. This is in spite of the fact that the Fish and Wildlife conservation Act states:
Animal Enclosures in which animals on display should be the size which enables animals to: Exercise natural behaviours, achieve a distance from the public and other specimens at which animals are not psychologically or physically stressed, and Achieve a full range of body movement and physical movements normally performed.
The majority of Roadside attractions, including Killman, fail miserably in these elements.
One of the worst exhibits investigated was a Siberian tiger named "Frosty". The conditions for this cat was rated 0 out of 50 by WSPA. Comments included with the evaluation state:
"Overweight tiger. Very small exhibit prevents normal expression of range of natural behaviours. No use of vertical space. Flimsy construction, barrier mesh on wooden post. Secondary barrier gate unlocked. Minimal shade. No useful furniture for enrichment."
As if such conditions weren't enough, more disturbing details arose after a personal visit to the facility.
Upon first observation, the tiger was a picture of lonely majesty. The great overweight beast sauntered back and forth in his cage, repeatedly calling out a tigerish greeting with no hope of a response.
But when it came for the weekly public feeding, things chang
ed.Frosty accepted his food, but contrary to the keepers wishes, the great cat hid behind his platform rather than eating in full view for visitor gratification.
After a bit of unsuccessful cajoling, the keeper decided to increase the "excitement". With a youth filming the event, he invited a spectator to step between the fences leaving only one fence between her and the 500 lb. cat. He then announced that the intent, as with every Sunday, was to threaten the animal and provoke a charge.
Frosty snarled but did not take the bait.
So a second spectator was invited in. The approach of to strangers right up to the fence finally provoked a terrifying charge at the fence by Frosty. Apparently unsatisfied, the keeper would approach again to inflict further threat and another charge.
The show "complete", the crowd moved on.
Some time later, after the last cat was fed, another visit was made to Frosty alone. The proud sad beast lay on the bottom of his cage glaring balefully at anyone's approach.
As enforcement is all but absent, the laws protecting animals equally invisible, help seems all but impossible.
It has been suggested that Canada adopt the "five Freedoms" created in 1965 by the UK-based Bramble commission which was heavily referenced in the formation of the United Kingdom's Secretary of State's standards of Modern Zoo Practice.
With these five basics in mind, a more humane legislation for animals in captivity would be possible. One way to make this a reality would be for people to support groups like Zoocheck, WSPA or Hamilton's own C.A.G.E.D., and help them push the government to end such deliberate cruelty.
By (anonymous)
Posted November 09, 2006 at 00:58:23
Interestingly David Zimmer, Ont. Liberal has been the Gov. front man for this humane legislation.
(Zimmer became the Ont. Lib's primary spokesmanman for DOLA & Bill 132 -BSL, 'Ban the Pit Bull', after Att. Gen. Michael Bryant got sick of being argued with, & stopped commenting on Breed Specific legislation.)
I agree completely that Zoos must come up to at least some kind of decent & humane standards, but it's it's interesting that the same party/person who was in favour of putting seized Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers, + 4 other dog breeds (& any other domestic dogs that possibly resembled these breeds) to death, or into medical experimentation should suddenly be concerned about the humane treatment of animals?? (In spite of the fact that Pit Bulls, Staffys, etc. because of their size & strength would not likely be wanted for medical experiments.)
So a decent life for the lions, hippos, & snakes but to heck with domestic pets?
"All animals are equal, some are just more equal then others" -George Orwell.
By (anonymous)
Posted November 11, 2006 at 11:44:41
By peter (anonymous)
Posted November 12, 2006 at 21:38:44
let's not muddle the issue with pitbull legislation. that's classic provincial politicking in action. at issue here is zoos and cruelty. it disgusts me that so few in power care about the lives of these poor animals. everyone knows or can at least imagine what happens in these death camps but so few care. why we continue to allow these assholes to operate is beyond me and causes me great distress. if people stopped patronizing these zoos then they'd close. the animals would likely be destroyed but at least the cycle won't continue to perpetuate itself.
By mountney (anonymous)
Posted August 22, 2008 at 01:02:05
By horrifiedmom (anonymous)
Posted July 16, 2009 at 10:39:30
I recently took my three children to this zoo and was appalled at the conditions for both animal and human alike.
Even without a zoology degree, it was evident how bored, aggitated and depressed these animals are. Their cages and "runs" were very sadly lacking just as the article states. The animals paced in a pattern in their cages and made sounds of aggitation. Gina was just sad with people throwing peanuts at her; her back the landing and sticking spot for most. The two baby tigers in wire mesh rabbit cage at the front entrance was horrific. The one cried and cried and I'm sure their paws must have hurt being on the mesh with no relief.
There are no hand-washing stations, the flies are so plentiful you can hear them, bring the "OFF" because the swampy conditions throughout at a perfect breeding ground of West Nile carrying mosquitos. Beware of the bridges as they tilt and do not feel very sturdy under foot. Rats are everywhere and are very large and brazen.
Will never go back and will continue to caution other parents about taking their children to such a deplorable hell hole. This place should be shut down and the animals sent to a reputable zoo.
Horrified Mom
By Martin Luther (anonymous)
Posted July 24, 2009 at 18:51:51
By StudentJournalist (anonymous)
Posted January 28, 2010 at 21:02:55
The Ontario Zoo Reviews done in July 2006 and August 2008 of the Killman Zoo gave it a clear failing grade. The pictures of the animals in August 2008 review are truly horrifying. Isolating baby animals, especially exotic ones that aren't used to Canadian climate, is truly apalling and if the government really cared about animals, this zoo would not be allowed to remain open.
By wake up (anonymous)
Posted May 23, 2010 at 22:05:11
I have been to Killman's Zoo and have had hands on exp. with wild cats (panthera) group . THESE ANIMALS ARE VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF.The person writing the article obviously has never worked with big cats or other animals. he talks about these animals as if they were pulled from the wild.The "exotic" animals that you refer to have been captively bred in this country longer than my family and probably the writers. please learn about your topic before you print an article.
By Lion King (anonymous)
Posted May 29, 2010 at 13:29:55
Strange place - this is. Sad looking lion at parking entrance, 10 feet away from parking vehicles was clearly agitated by a father and son walking to their car... it growled, rushed, and turned and sprayed them! We did not pay $45 and enter the "zoo" after this. This would clearly be stress, not normal behaviour, mental suffering.
If you want to see happy well taken animals got to the real T.O Metro Zoo
By JP (registered)
Posted August 19, 2010 at 17:00:02
By concerned (anonymous)
Posted August 28, 2010 at 10:18:10
I just returned from a visit to the Killman Zoo with my family and was appalled by the condition of the entire operation. I am not a radical animal lover by any means, but I was attracted to the zoo by the signs on the 403 highway and the interest my young children have in animals. The enclosures were home made and I was fearful that any of these large cats could easily breach them. It does not even come close to what the standard is at the metro zoo in T.O. There was no room for any movement for the animals anywhere, the entire place was unsanitary, and the signs warning that animals could spray should be an obvious sign that people are allowed too close. I can't believe that these places are allowed to operate and that the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario is endorsing them by allowing a blue tourist sign on the highway. I would not recommend this zoo to anyone and have made a personal point of spreading the news that this place does not treat animals with any decent amount of care, especially that they are being bred there. Just based on sanitary conditions alone, the government should shut the place down because of the lack of running water, hand sanitizer, washroom facilities and the proximity of animal feces, urine and spray. Can't the public health unit get involved here?
By GREG FREWIN (anonymous)
Posted March 11, 2011 at 01:13:53
By moylek (registered) - website
Posted March 13, 2011 at 19:57:04
in reply to Comment 60900
That may be true - or not. 've never actually heard of the place except for this article so I don't have an opinion.
But I assure you that shouting the zoo's praises in all caps doesn't lend emphasis to your assertion. I just makes you sound like a crazy person. Really.
Comment edited by moylek on 2011-03-13 19:59:43
By hammertime (registered)
Posted March 11, 2011 at 14:46:09
Paul Glendenning, your nuts. The Killman Zoo is a well run low budget operation. That doesn't make it a bad place. The animals are well cared for and are in great health. In fact it might be one of the best cat exibits in Ontario. I have visited this operation with my family a dozen times over a dozen yrs. and have never seen a problem with the place. Maybe you and your prof. from Calgary have been sniffing the fumes off the oil fields a little too long.. This report is totally inapropriate and if I were the zoo managers I would sue for libel..
By Tomsmom (anonymous)
Posted April 26, 2011 at 14:09:37
I went there for Easter, as I was looking for something different and interesting to do with my son. I never knew anyone that went to the KILLMAN zoo but the Easter Egg hunt seemed to be interesting there, so away we went.
First off I must say the staff are nice, but once I took three steps into the zoo I was horrified. I debated if I should walk out with my four year old. The cats looked miserable, just pacing back and forth. The water there was brown green, so unclean and like the above writer wrote perfect for west nile. It was raining the night before and the grounds were muddy and the only place for the animals to seek refuge were in dog like houses. My own dog had a better built house, at least they were insulted and I protected him from the environment in the winter. The zoo feeds the cats kibble like food, a far cry from the wild a tiger or big cat is naturally and instinctively drawn to.
I directed my son to the area where the goats and small deer were, they had more land to roam than the big cats but at least 200%! There was no room for the cats to run or play. The poor black bear just tossed his head on one side and paced. I was so excited to see one as I grew up around them in the North, but my heart ached for this animal. The bobcat and other small cats (no label on their cage) were in areas smaller than a small bedroom. How sad it must be for them to stare out in the open but be pinned up in a cage. For once I imagined how good life must be for farm animals, at least they have range to roam.
Now I know why on the Killman zoo website they ask for people for animal rights not to visit...I would never ever recommend it nor would I go back. I began to feel like my cat had a much better life than any of those animals. Please if you go to a zoo make the effort to support a place like Toronto, at least the animals there have some quality of life!
By TheTruth (anonymous)
Posted April 02, 2012 at 00:44:51
in reply to Comment 62721
First of all, to say the cats are fed kibble is completely and utterly ridiculous!! They are fed chicken or turkey which is a normal and healthy way to feed them...unlike some places that feed their cats out of a tube! Goats and deer need a large area to roam as they are grazing animals - meaning they need grass to eat - therefore a large area to eat from! Cats on the other hand, yes they are large animals and need room, understandable, however if you knew about animals in the wild you would know that they have territories that they protect, know and are comfortable in, and they also follow the same paths and travel-ways everywhere they go. Also, the big cats especially, are inactive or sleeping for about 20 hours of the day...20 hours! Would you need 10 acres of land if you did nothing for all but 4 hours of the day? - I doubt it!
Furthermore, the water that you are talking about, I could only imagine is the pond in the two acre pond run - the one that is a natural pond and that gets covered in duck weed in the summer - once again nature (and duck weed is green). All animal water dishes are cleaned daily, and all animals are given fresh water at these times.
To touch on some other comments, the zoo is supported because it is part of the community, somewhere that is a place of education and happiness. To be able to get so close to the animals is cherished by many and a unique characteristic of this zoo! Do you go to Toronto and get to see all the animals? No, they are mostly hiding and/or too far away. Are completely enclosed buildings with no fresh air for the animals to breathe natural? No, I don't think so. Is training an animal to do tricks for the public, a natural part of the animals life? No, quite unnatural I would say.
How can someone pick apart a facility and praise another when there are completely different circumstances and situations that need to be tended to?
Also, to refer to the owners as "hillbillies" is completely and totally ignorant and rude! The people who work at the zoo with the animals, are there because they love working with animals and care for them deeply, not for a paycheck! Where else do you go that the people who work with the animals can actually interact with them, understand them and communicate with them!?
Lastly, to hear some of these comments when clearly people never have had a single moment of knowledge presented to them about how to raise wild animals, I invite them to work with them and really truly understand their needs; research healthy life for wild animals and get your facts straight!! The Killman Zoo cares for their animals to a much greater extent then many other places and should be given a chance and not walked all over because it is a private (meaning NO government funding whatsoever) zoo!
By nikola (anonymous)
Posted April 26, 2011 at 20:35:15
in reply to Comment 62721
Just an FYI, the cats are fed meat, not kibbles. If the owners didn't know how to feed them properly they wouldn't be alive. Secondly, where do you think these cats find shelter from rainstorms in the wild? Big heated facilities with nice bedding? No, they find it under trees and rocks and brave the elements. The cats also take turns getting to run in the big area with the pond for quite a lengthly amount of time.
Perhaps you should have asked the employees if you were so concerned instead of bashing the place on a website with no factual information.
By Deliverance (anonymous)
Posted June 12, 2011 at 21:20:06
My wife and I have a lot of land, a few cats and two big dogs for decades, we have been to many zoos. After respectfully touring (with purchased peanuts) the Kilman Zoo, it took a while for the shock to turn into sadness and here we are on the net trying to figure out why this place is legally opened and why they are allowed to squeeze in more animals. Horrible, sad, the animals are going mental,pacing, hiding, the other ones who have already snapped, stand or lie motionless alone in their small cheap welfare mickey mouse cages or hide. From the owl, to the bear, to the cats, to the monkeys, foxes etc....reminded me of the movie Papillon...these poor turned mental cases of animals would have more enjoyment and happiness from an escape and then getting shot through the head in nearby fields, innocent pain ending in another exploitation. Also, the place is dirty and the workmanship of the small butchered forest looks like it was created from a bunch of hillbillies who have stopped "hoarding" under medication.
By aconcernedvisitor (anonymous)
Posted June 13, 2011 at 11:00:46
By seeing is believing (anonymous)
Posted June 13, 2011 at 16:17:54
It is an outrageous crime to keep animals in this appalling situation in the Killman Zoo!!!! The employees who I talked to in the Zoo claimed that everything was fine and the animals were well taken care of. I could not find the courage to argue with them since they were there for a paycheck, not for the love of the animals. We need to find a way to do these suffered animals a justice. If we don't, nobody will....
By tellthetruth (anonymous)
Posted June 19, 2011 at 15:40:52
Terrible experience! This place is filthy with big cats in small cages. The goats are the only ones who seem happy since they have the biggest cage. Visiting this place is like visiting a mental institution. There is a pungent ordor of animal feces and urine. The big cats are pacing and growling like mental patients. This place is a perfect example of mankind's cruelty and neglect toward animals especially big cats.
By picnic is over (anonymous)
Posted June 29, 2011 at 15:23:44
We were planning to go there for a picnic with our kids. It turned out to be worse that we had thought. We were shocked to see how filthy this place was. My kids told me that the animals looked so sad and angry. We ended up having our pinic inside our car. What a waste of time and money to go to the Killman Zoo!
By Tina (anonymous)
Posted July 02, 2011 at 12:44:39
By Friendofwildlife (anonymous)
Posted June 26, 2012 at 20:04:05
I went to this place years ago as a kid and it was a dump then-sounds like nothing has changed. I also remember one of the keepers was doing something in the wolf's cage,and kept on yelling at the wolf and saying he couldn't wait til he got rid of it. The wolf was better off some place else. Safari Niagara is also a small zoo,but is ten times better,didn't stink and the animals look a lot happier. This is on par with a puppymill
By AppalledByTheComments (anonymous)
Posted July 02, 2012 at 16:22:00
Wow..you people know nothing. You all act likebteenagers..and i would know what one acts like. You sit behind your computer screen and just RIP these people apart. If what the above comment said was true, about the killman zoo NOT BEING GOVERNMENT FUNDED.. then i say well done! I visited today and sure the conditions could be a little better..if there was more supporting and not so many of you were doing this. You feel bad for the animals? How many of you made a donation of some sort on your visit? I bet hardly any of you did..if any at all. The tigers and wolfs and the birds and even the bear you all keep talking about that i saw today...they seemed happy. Thr bear came right up to the enclosure and sat infront. The owl kept "posing" for the camera as i took pictures. The wolfs were running around and the one had its tongue hanging out of its mouth. And the tiger..we saw one of the Killmans doing some repairs and he started petting her and she seemed happy and was purring. It was the cutest thing i had ever seen. Sure i could go to a "more sanitary, better looking, bigger, etc" zoo..but it wouldnt have been the same. Not at all.
By glad to hear (anonymous)
Posted July 02, 2012 at 21:37:41
in reply to Comment 79111
By Caroline (anonymous)
Posted September 01, 2012 at 17:55:44
WHAT A HORRIFIC PLACE! WE JUST TOOK OUR SON THERE AND WE ARE UTTERLY SHOCKED THAT SUCH A PLACE EXISTS IN CANADA!!!!! I AM NOT A FAN OF ZOOS BUT UNDERSTAND THAT IF RUN IN A PROPER WAY THEY CAN KEEP SOME ANIMALS FROM BECOMING EXTINCT AND EDUCATE PEOPLE, THIS PLACE HOWEVER IS A DISGRACE AND SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. AFTER LEAVING THE PLACE AND READING ABOUT HOW LONG IT'S BEEN OPEN I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS LET SUCH AN UNSANITARY AND CRUEL BUSINESSES STAY OPEN.
I WILL HAVE NIGHTMARES AFTER VISITING THIS AWFUL ZOO. I AM GOING TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THE WAY THESE ANIMALS ARE KEPT AND TELL THEM TO NOT GO!!! WE COULDN'T RUN OUT OF THIS PLACE FAST ENOUGH WITHOUT VOMITING DUE TO THE PUTRID SMELL OF FECES AND URINE THAT THESE POOR ANIMALS ARE WALLOWING IN!
SOMEONE NEEDS TO SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN!!!
CONCERNED MOTHER