A Fort Langley conservation centre for endangered animals is the site of alarming animal cruelty, a group of current and former employees is alleging.
The claims, which are being investigated by the B.C. SPCA, allege animals at the Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre do not receive needed veterinary care and are not being euthanized in a humane way.
There is also a concern that instead of autopsies being done on dead animals – a standard practice at Canadian zoos and animal parks – the carcasses are fed to packs of African wild dogs.
“The primary concern, above everything else, is the safety and well-being of the animals,” said Todd Streu, spokesman for the four current and four former staff members who are making the allegations. ” If the place were to close its doors or if the conditions for the animals improve, either situation would be a win for the staff.”
Streu was chosen to speak, he said, because the staff – who spent 12 to 16 months gathering information to support their claims – “were afraid of backlash.”
In total, the facility employs about 70 workers.
Mountain View spokesman Malcolm Weatherston said the organization was both “saddened” and “flabbergasted” by what he sees as a mischaracterization of its processes.
“The accusations are either untrue, or they’re libelous,” said Weatherston, adding that the group did not bring forward its concerns within the organization.
The centre’s website describes it as “a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world.”
Weatherston said that for the program to be successful, “one has to simulate a wildlife situation so that when we ship them back they can survive.”
“There are no vets in the wild.”
Marcie Moriarty, B.C. SPCA cruelty investigations manager, said she was initially surprised about the complaints, as the centre has an “excellent reputation.”
The No. 1 goal of the SPCA is always addressing concerns about any animals that may require additional care, said Moriarty, adding that the owner of the Fort Langley centre is cooperating.
katyanderson@vancouversun.com
With a file from Canwest News Service
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