GuZoo closure celebrated by animal rights activists
Animal rights activists are pleased that a controversial private zoo near Three Hills has ceased operations.
GuZoo has been the target of criticism for more than 20 years.
"It has been labeled one of the worst zoos in Canada," said Toveh Reece with Voice for Animals.
She says GuZoo was filthy and dilapidated, and she felt sorry for the lone baboon kept at the facility.
"They are social animals and he was kept by himself in a dingy inadequate cage," said Reece.
GuZoo owner Lynn Gustafson believes he did a more than adequate job of caring for the animals. They were sold by a broker to private zoos in Quebec and Ontario.
While the exotic animals are gone, Gustafson hopes to offer a more traditional Old MacDonald's Farm kind of experience.
"We have our domestic animals and the neighbourhood children, kids from town and so on, they are going to be welcome as they always were," he said.
Three Hills Mayor Tim Shearlaw says GuZoo will be missed. He says the facility drew tourists to the area and its closure will have a negative economic impact on the town.
