Anonymous said... With all due respect, it's the authorities who will determine how "fit" your facility is for these animals.
Yes, I hope they do. We have done nothing wrong.
Yes, I hope they do. We have done nothing wrong.
Sarah said...
I disagree. Any organization who have been subjected to ZooCheck knows they are anti-zoo and desire only to see ALL zoos closed. So of course they are going to find faults in our zoo. Just like they attacked the Calgary Zoo and the Edmonton Zoo.
That's all very interesting, but what about ZooCheck? They've obviously been inspecting for years and aren't just someone who stopped by with the motivation to show how terrible your zoo is.
Any facility who has been subjected to Zoocheck knows for a fact that Zoocheck's one and only mission is to close ALL zoos. Of course they are going to find something to complain about. Just like they attacked the Calagry Zoo and the Edmonton zoo the recent years.
Steven J Carnegie said... ...Im curious if you say there a waterers for winter why you have volunteers say that can eat snow...You cant survive off eating snow so why assume an animal bigger than you can.
How long can human go without water? I understand a human would die in less than a week without fluids. How long do you suppose a lion can go without water? Not sure I have read any studies on that, however, the fact of the matter is our male lion is 19 years old. So either he survives by eating snow in the winter, or we are watering him. You decide.
...tortoise cage not the fact that the cage is very clearly to small and lacking clean water. not to mention food that is potentially toxic.
There has been many questions about our tortoise and it's diet. May I draw your attention to this web site
We feed timothy hay, romaine lettuce and various other fresh vegetables mentioned here. In the summer fresh grass, weeds and dandelion leaves and flowers are offered.
To squash your concerns about the size of her enclosure, please consider the physical capacity of a tortoise. They do not need room to jump and climb and run. Also understand that in the summer, when the weather is mild, she enjoys an outdoor habitat that is MUCH bigger then her winter accommodations. There is no doubt that she will out grow her current aquarium, and when that happens, we will have another one build for her.
Anonymous said... The Calgary zoo is a real zoo with proper animal care and proper facilities to house the varieties of animals.
The Calgary Zoo is given a minimum of 22 million dollars annually in government funding. This is in addition to their gate admission. Their employees are paid by the City of Calgary. We have to pay our staff from our gate admissions. We are given zero dollars.
We could do a lot with 22 million dollars a year also. Do you know where we might get it?...and not only have I been to your place, I left with a sense of dismay. I believe that you did start with good intentions, but over time there are more animals at your facility than there is time or money to care for them. I am not against "you" as people, I don't believe you're bad people, I just think you are in over your heads.
When we started out 21 years ago we were much smaller. But as a farm who cares for and houses animals, more kept coming our way. Please refer to this page of my website:
Needs change, demands change and we have adapted to the ever growing demands to find homes for many domestic and exotic animals. Some we keep, some we re-home. We do turn down many animals each year. We know we can't help them all. It is also important to force people to take responsibility for the animals they have, not just hand them off to us.
I even saw one of your "staff" a young teenage girl feeding the Lynx a box of "Lunchables"
This made me laugh because one of the criticisms was we are feeding our animals food unfit for human consumption. See, we are damned if we do, and we are damned if we don't.
You must realize that your explanations carry little weight when you won't take the 2 minutes required to register for a facebook account
I have many reasons for not having a Face Book account. I personally believe it is an avenue for identity theft, fraud and harmful intentions. I was warned years ago by a prominent media expert to STAY AWAY from Face Book. I urge to all to as well.
How do you explain the exhaustive amount of complaints by visitors and zoocheck? The fact that you were a fur farm before a sanctuary???!!
As mentioned before, Zoocheck is anit-zoo 100% They want to regulate ALL zoos out of business. And the fur farm? Yes, it was explained on my web site that Mr. Gustafson had his fur farm licence revoked because he refused to slaughter his animals. So he put them under a zoo permit.
On your website, it asks for donations of dog and cat food that your "various animals" eat. Do only dogs and cats eat this food, or do your other animals eat it as well?
Yes, there are many zoo animals whose diet is supplemented with cat and dog kibble. The high protein content of cat food is attractive to skunks, but please note that is not all we feed them. If you question this practice then consider this. Healthy diet = healthy animal and a healthy animal = long life.
We have a 20 year old bear who has been with us since he was a cub. We had a skunk who lived to the ripe old age of 9 years. Our male lion (who is not feed commercial pet food BTW) is 19 years now. I think that speaks for itself.
I am curious why domesticated dogs are still allowed to roam about the wild animal cages,
These are our family pets. If we tied them up, I bet you would complain about that too. We choose our dogs carefully, although these dogs may not be obedience trained, they have been temperament tested to, a) be awesome with the public and, b) not harm livestock.
Obviously we can't have dogs running around who are going to chase down our sheep.
Cattle farmers are not animal care professionals, they are agricultural producers.
When your livelihood depends on the health of your animals, you learn VERY quickly how to care for them properly. Cattle farmers, pig farmers, and chicken farmers must keep their animals in top condition so as to allow for greatest production. This makes them experts in their field and professionals who make a living at it.
If you have too many animals to do it alone, couldn't you surrender at least a few of them? Or stop breeding them?
We don't have to do it alone. We have volunteer help, community support and feed donations from farmers and seed cleaning plants. Stop breeding them? If all the zoos stopped breeding their animals, in twenty years there would be no zoos in the world. Some people would think this is a great thing. But some animals only exist in zoos as they have been wiped out of their natural habitat. And without zoos, very few people would be able to see a tiger or a capybara other than on tv (or stuffed in a museum).
why did you say you would send the animals to a taxidermist?
Mr. Gustafson wasn't sure he should have said that as he was worried people would take it the wrong way. And most have. What the public doesn't understand (by no fault of your own) is that all zoos have limits on what animals and how many they can or can't have. For instance, we are only allowed three lions. If someone phoned us tomorrow and said, "can you take my two lions off me as I can't look after them anymore", we would have to turn them down. Legally we are only allowed to have three lions. Regardless of our facility, size of enclosure, capacity to house them...etc. People think that if we shut down, the animals will just be scooped up by other zoos. Sure, some might. But lions are a dime a dozen, not many zoos want a 19 year old male lion to add to their collection even if they were allowed by their governing authority to take it in. So, what Mr. Gustafson was saying, is that suddenly closing a zoo down can in fact result in the euthanasia of many of these animals.
Many people questioned the housing of our tiger and our macaques and voiced concerns about them tolerating our climate. May I say this: SIBERIAN Tiger, Japanese SNOW Monkey. Hope that helps. If not, Google it.
The primates who can't tolerate the winter have a heated enclosure to house them in the winter.
I hope this helped. Please don't write comments with threats, name calling and swear words. Those will be deleted.
I disagree. Any organization who have been subjected to ZooCheck knows they are anti-zoo and desire only to see ALL zoos closed. So of course they are going to find faults in our zoo. Just like they attacked the Calgary Zoo and the Edmonton Zoo.
19 comments:
I didn't realized the Guzoo had a blog up until the recent media blowout. Needless to say, I can understand it must be extremely stressful to be put in the spotlight with a lot of criticism, but I did also expect far better with this post and feel a little upset at the way the Guzoo staff is responding.
I feel this would've been a perfect opportunity to educate where your beliefs are founded in a factual and positive way, and with the type of attitude I find in a lot of the responses, I simply would like to point out, I get where you're coming from as a defensive stance, but I also feel this was unprofessional.
I did also take the time to google the japanese macaque and compared various sources (primate rescue pages, recommended international and national sources), and it does state they can withstand up to -15 degrees. Do they also have a heated enclosure during peak winter times when we're experiencing a few weeks worth of -40? I just wanted to ask and hope you do not take this the wrong way, as I'd like to be further informed since unfortunately the answer simply stated to google it.
Hi,
My name is Stephanie and I don’t know if you remember me but I donated my snake to you guys about a year ago now, I am absolutely outraged at what people are saying about Guzoo.. I do not think it is right that these people are saying horrible things, or fabricating photos to make Guzoo seems like a bad place. My family and I love coming out there to visit and learn and just have a good time! Please don’t let them do this to you or ruin wonderful things you have done, you have given these animals homes, food, and water! I say if people don’t wanna see a tiger eating a dead calf…then go some where’s else cause, you have given people a chance to see nature at its best! The Calgary zoo feeds their animals behind closed doors…what fun is that you get to see the animals walk around…with the animals at Guzoo you actually have a chance to interact with them! We were there last year and got to ride animals, pet the pigs, and feed the monkeys…you can’t do that anywhere else.
I am sorry to go on and on like this I am just so upset, I am telling you I would rather drive the hour and a half to go to Guzoo than go to the Calgary Zoo that is 15 minutes from my house…
I am really hoping that you guys are still open in a few weeks…we had a trip planned to come out and see the zoo!
Best wishes
Hi,
My name is Stephanie and I don’t know if you remember me but I donated my snake to you guys about a year ago now, I am absolutely outraged at what people are saying about Guzoo.. I do not think it is right that these people are saying horrible things, or fabricating photos to make Guzoo seems like a bad place. My family and I love coming out there to visit and learn and just have a good time! Please don’t let them do this to you or ruin wonderful things you have done, you have given these animals homes, food, and water! I say if people don’t wanna see a tiger eating a dead calf…then go some where’s else cause, you have given people a chance to see nature at its best! The Calgary zoo feeds their animals behind closed doors…what fun is that you get to see the animals walk around…with the animals at Guzoo you actually have a chance to interact with them! We were there last year and got to ride animals, pet the pigs, and feed the monkeys…you can’t do that anywhere else.
I am sorry to go on and on like this I am just so upset, I am telling you I would rather drive the hour and a half to go to Guzoo than go to the Calgary Zoo that is 15 minutes from my house…
I am really hoping that you guys are still open in a few weeks…we had a trip planned to come out and see the zoo!
Best wishes
Hi,
I just wanted to write you guys because I've just heard so much negative feedback over the last little while spawn up on facebook.
I visited your facility when I was a child and LOVED it there. You got to feed the barn animals with an ice cream cone of food and I got to hold a baby tiger. It was an amazing experience and something I cherished for a long time.
Im sorry all the negative feedback you guys are getting by complete strangers who haven't even visited your zoo. If they did, they would see that you love the animals and care a great deal for them. People should see it for themselves or stop by and volunteer time/money as this is a privately ran zoo.
Good luck with everything.
I am sorry for offending anyone with the sharpness of my answers. I was wrong. I wrote this blog early this morning between 3 and 4 am. We have been under a lot of stress and have been hammered with repetative questions (the ones I addressed in the blog) and I guess my frustration showed through. Again accept my apology.
I have never been to your zoo, nor will I ever for I fear what I may see.
I do not know the truth, however I do hope it comes out whatever it may be and that the outcome is beneficial for the animals because in the end it is all about them.
The one thing I do however disagree with is your "euthanasia policy". It is deeply disturbing that you would euthanize a dog based solely on its aggression. You should definitely leave rescuing to PROFESSIONAL rescues who have the interests in their animals as first priority and are willing to take the time to care for them before they are adopted out, as well as give them proper vetting.
"I am sorry for offending anyone with the sharpness of my answers."
You know, SOME people need to be told how moronic they are and I've had my fill of know-nothing "animal rightists" and environMENTALists who deem themselves moral authorities in the land. One case, a few years back, that comes to mind, where these numbskulls sought to 'save' animals they dreamed were in danger, prompted them to turn loose a few hundred of them... into an environment that wasn't indigenous/supportive to their species, the result being that most of them died or were picked off almost immediately by predators. The more militant nutcases have also killed human beings over their delusions, which only shows the spirit driving these buffoons.
Well, all I can say is that I hope your case gets fair treatment before whatever tribunal it is you have to endure. God knows the loonies run this world and the weirder and more ridiculous the cause, the better it's chances are of succeeding. There is nothing weirder than that of the life of an "animal rights activist", in the sense that the moniker is usually and justifiably applicable by and through their actions. I respect animals enough to know that your stock have it a helluva lot easier than their unconfined brothers in the field. I had to laugh, too, when I saw your plight on TV, today, especially over a shot of the "dirty" water dish that the activists were getting all bent about! In the wild, animals drink out of the most disgusting feces and urine-filled water holes, and every time they do, they run the risk of being picked off by a predator. Oh, man! I saw three blades of grass floating in the water dish, maybe some dust... the POOR animal! LOL! See what I mean by the term moronic?
There are some REAL issues out there that these fools need to be concentrating on that are actually worthy of attention, not harassing and closing down a zoo! My city had a decent wild animal park for years... a great place to take your kids and see animals of every description. But, you know, a bunch of thirty-something, politically-correct bozos/bleeding hearts decided that we didn't need it so much as a damned sportsplex. All about $$$, you see. Again, morons decide the game for all!
Good luck... I'll be following this. Watch your back, the stupid rule in this day and age... and you can't cure stupid!
I noticed one person's comment about animals eating snow. Most animals, especially the larger carnivores, have very efficient metabolisms, much more efficient than a human being's. The latter derive most of their water requirements from the flesh of their prey, so the comparatively copious amounts they could glean from snow would likewise be fairly-sustained and utilized. Eating snow is discouraged for HUMANS for SURVIVAL reasons. At any rate, animals are far more durable than us puny humans, many of which can't do an afternoon without our hourly "Double Double".
Anyone that has spent the time observing nature that I have, (an ex-hunter/trapper) knows that an animal can derive the most from the least on a routine basis. This in no way suggests or implies that the animals at Guzoo are abused, however, I do (strongly) imply that certain bleeding-hearts know little-to-nothing about animals, having derived their knowledge of animals and their habits from watching Hollyweird movies like Bambi and Lassie.
So, that said, I really don't place much stock in anything that comes out of a activist's pie-hole.
Oh... and I have expressed my concerns about what seems to me an obvious vendetta against this zoo by animal activists through several emails to both the Alberta and federal governments, and have encouraged many of my friends to do likewise. It's time this ridiculous paranoia was examined for the spirit that seems to drive it... one of ignorance and malevolence... and cut off! There is a line needs drawing and this would be as good a time as any.
First off I am so sorry your family is receiving such horrible threats. NOBODY should go through that or have to worry about their safety nor about any little ones within the family.
I don't know how many would agree but many of the pictures and people's first hand experiences there haven't been the best. I know there are a lot of animals and it FOR SURE looks like there isn't a lot of people. But is it really safe to just take anyone to help you out with this? I know this is a private zoo but most people go for a degree to learn how to interact and train with animals like tigers, bears, monkeys ect.
Some of the pictures (and not just the winter ones) get me a little concerned about the animals.
I am really trying to be fair to both sides of the puzzle. Some of the care taking methods do look questionable BUT at the same time (as previously mentioned) I am VERY sorry to hear such awful threats coming your way. It is not fair to or your family.
I hope everything works out for the best of the animals and that no harm befalls your family.
@Gideon
Wow, I love how you just write off all those concerned with the WELFARE of the animals as "animal rights activists".
I'm not a member of PETA, I eat meat (very little, but I do eat it), I've never thrown red paint at someone wearing fur, and I've never broken the law. There is a difference between an "animal rights activist" and an "animal welfare advocate". You would do the world a justice to learn the difference before spouting off.
And just because you are a hunter/trapper does not mean you are well versed in all exotic animals. There are many extremely intelligent, well spoken and literate animal welfare advocates.
We don't want ALL zoos closed. We don't necessarily think everyone should be vegan. We don't think hunting or owning animals should be banned.
What we WOULD like to see is all animals in our care, especially those we breed or domesticate, be treated properly and humanely. That includes food-chain animals and those in zoos. Those animals should be fed properly for their species, have access to clean water, and be cared for by knowledgeable people and veterinarians.
YOU need to get a life, and stop painting all people with ANY concern as animal rights activists who are willing to set animals free and blow up buildings.
Don't listen to the haters, Guzoo.
There are many people who *don't* live on the internet that are supporters.
~98% of the haters have never been.
~90% of the haters are under 21.
I just want you to know that there are objective people that know the good you do for your animals.
I hope all this media attention will result in more visitors.
Stay strong Guzoo, we love you!!
Mrs. Guzoo, there are many people who appreciative of what your family has been able to do for our animal friends, and while they may not be the most vocal bunch, they are out there supporting you and getting the word out about the many wonderful things that happen at the Guzoo.
Be patient with the naysayers. It's easy for someone to be an activist from the comfort of their own chair, but when it comes down to putting the work into backing up their words, most will abandon the ship like rats. Welcome to the apathetic generation. Click 'like' and move onto the next cause.
I would just like to say that i have been visiting for years! (since i was about 9 years old! i am now 24) i got to walk renegade when he was there and the lion cub that was there in 2009. i remember nothing but good things from my visits there, thats why i make it a mission to visit at least twice a year..
I donated a rabbit named Velvet when i was probably 11
and a cat named Enzo when i was 18.
I am a PROUD GUZOO supporter who would like to offer Abraham lincolns advice to all your "haters"
" He has a right to critize, who has a heart to help"
none of you have offered this man anything but your opinions on how he runs his business. ( which to me seems more like how he treats his family, cause we all know he lives for these animals!) but no one has offered a shovel.
and also you people are just as bad as illegal movie downloaders. you are making assumptions based on pictures you have seen, with out going out there and PAYING him to walk around his zoo.. there fore you are stealing from the tigers mouth everytime you look at a picture. you are stealing from the lions enclosure development everytime you comment on a picture you havent even seen with your own eyes...
you people are suggesting "heated water dishes" but havent payed the money to have that opinion...
you are the disgusting people in this whole situation!!!
<3 Guzoo <3
Amy
Calgary alberta
Hi Lynn & Billy...it is Debbie, Evelyn's Daughter..I just wanted to let you know that we support you 100%. We will be down this summer as my husbands parents are coming in from New Brunswick.
I can totally understand how you feel being bombarded with people that twist your words around to sound bad...I have been on facebook page groups and I have now deleted my profile from them...they have ganged up on me and if I don't believe their views they get pretty nasty. I totally agree with you for staying away from facebook.
We love the work that you do and if there is anything we can do to help, just let us know.
Love to you all!
I notice you only post comments from supporters and I know full well you aren't only getting comments from supporters. I have a very important question to ask. Are you a private zoo, rescue or sanctuary. You can't claim to be all 3 because in order to be a registered rescue, there are other regulations for you to follow both leglly and morally. You aren't a sanctuary because once again, there are other regulations to follow, morally and legaly. Every time I want to throw my hat in to support you all, something surfaces and it isn't only from the anti side. You have to realize that some of your supporters are fueling the flames for those of us that are sitting on the fence. Why are you allowing people to handle the animals. If you want to come across as valid and caring for your animals. Allowing visitors to handle the exotics should cease immediately. Keep the petting and handling to the bunnies, cats, goats etc. I've seen the bite reports, one day some idiot is going to want to handle one of your exotic cats or wolves and they'll get bit and might want to sue? Shouldn't you be protecting both yourself and your facility from that? You've stated publicly on your website and in the news that you are understaffed and underfunded. Quit breeding your animals!!! If you can't take care of what you have, why add more to the mix? The antis have dug their feet in, only one thing will please them, shut you down. The supporters and you and have dug your feet in, keep running things like you have been and constantly face the public outcries and criticism. Is there no middle ground? If you want to keep doing what you love why not find a middle ground and people like myself and there are many of us might actually throw our hat into your ring.
If everyone thinks this "Zoo" is such a good habitat for all these animals, where are the pictures to prove that these animals are kept safe, disease free and out of harm. Nobody has time to make up such allegations if they were not true. Why don't you just own up to the fact that you do not know how to care for these animals, thus you should not have ANY of them. Saying animals can eat snow and survive off that is the most assinine thing a person can say. You clearly stated that you have no background as to how to take care of these animals, don't you think that should go off in your head that you SHOULDN'T have them, let alone operate a "zoo"? Think twice before you suggest someone would make something like this up. NOBODY in their right mind would fight for something they didn't believe in.
I think you and your family are doing great things for these animals. I have never even heard of this zoo until all this negativity can out on the internet. I did some research and found alot of positive pictures as well. I hope more people come out and see for themselves what is really going on out there. I will be bringing my family as soon as it dries up outside!
To Anonymous who wrote, "I did also take the time to google the japanese macaque and compared various sources (primate rescue pages, recommended international and national sources), and it does state they can withstand up to -15 degrees. "
I too went to that site and found the correct sentance which states....
"The Japanese macaque lives in mountainous areas of Honshū, Japan. It survives winter temperatures below -15 °C (5°F), "
Yes, it get's BELOW -15 Celcius here.
I saw the photos of your zoo today and to be honest, I am absolutely horrified. I will say that the media can distort things, and while I do have concerns over animal rights I would be willing to extend you the benefit of the doubt since I have never visited your zoo. However, due to the extremely unprofessional responses and excuses I saw that you had posted to some people's questions, I wound up signing the petition. I can only hope that the animals are able to leave your zoo safely to other sanctuaries. In the US...I'm sure there are plenty of places willing to take care of an extra tiger that may be a bit old.
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