The Ministry for Primary Industries is investigating allegations of animal mistreatment at a Taranaki zoo.
Pouakai Zoo’s owners, however, say they “love our animals and abide by all rules and regulations”.
Ministry for Primary Industries director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said a complaint over the welfare of the animals at the zoo had resulted in an investigation, and an MPI official would visit the site today.
“We take animal welfare seriously and will investigate complaints where there are concerns about the mistreatment of animals.”
They also demonstrated behaviours, she alleged, related to “zoo psychosis”, which included pressing their heads against walls, throwing wood at the cage and compulsively peeling paint from the walls.
“Stressed donkeys are paddocked just a few metres away and in full view of five African lions, lethargic and depressed animals without any space to run or display natural behaviours,” Jayne claimed.
“This neglect of basic hygiene standards raises questions about the zoo’s commitment to providing a suitable environment for its animals.”
Zoo owner Adam Can Horne said they had received “a lot” of complaints in the past.
“We love our animals and abide by all rules and regulations.”
He talked to the guests openly if one of the animals was sick or injured and used it as an “educational opportunity”.
He was upset the activists did not engage with them directly and instead decided to lay a complaint with MPI and added they had received harassment on social media.
Animal welfare trust Helping Animals Help You said it had offered to take in the capuchin monkeys. Founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie said they started taking in primates in 2007.
“We’ve established somewhere safe for monkeys to go where they can retire away, where they are off display.”
She said it was important to provide monkeys with foliage that replicates their natural habitat. Photos from the Pouakai Zoo show barren concrete and fraying ropes.