An Australia-based zoo has been told it has “no legal grounds” to renew its licence after its animals were found to be suffering from severe mental illness.
Key points:An Australian-based zoos license expires in 2020Zoos around the world are under a “stress test” which includes testing staff, visitors and animals on mental healthAn investigation into the animals’ mental health was launched in FebruaryThe Department of Health says it will review the zoo’s license applicationThe zoo was granted the zoo licence on July 15, 2020, in conjunction with an internal investigation into its animals.
It was the latest zoo in the country to lose its licence in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is believed to be the last of its kind in Australia.
The zoo is also facing a stress test to determine if it has enough staff to run the facility.
“The Department’s assessment of the Zoo Australia licence renewal has found no legal grounds to renew the licence,” the department said in a statement.
“The department will be reviewing the Zoo Australian licence renewal application in line with our policies on stress testing.”
Zoo Australia is not in a position to confirm or deny the department’s assessment.
“As with all health and welfare related issues, the department has a duty to respond to requests for information on the condition of zoo animals.”
The department said it had been “deeply disappointed” to learn of the zoo license renewal and said it would be reviewing “all options available to ensure Zoo Australia has the necessary resources to provide the quality of care and carers it needs.”
Zoo’s licence has also been extended for another year.
More than 10,000 animals were euthanased at the zoo in February, with some of the animals suffering from mental health issues, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Topics:human-interest,health,diseases-and-disorders,psychiatric-disease,zoos-and/orchards-and,perth-6000,canberra-2600,actMore stories from Western Australia
