Actions towards non compliant zoos: Solutions for animals in case of zoo closure Second Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive FOUR PAWS INTRODUCTION Non-profit organisation founded in 1988 FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals. FOUR PAWS’ projects focus on companion animals, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, orangutans and elephants – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. Wild animals' projects: End illegal keeping and illegal trade of wild animals animals End the use of wild animals for entertainment Offer solutions for wild animals in need 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 2 FOUR PAWS sanctuaries in Europe (incl. EARS partner facilities) BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz TIERART Big Cat Centre • Germany • Germany • 15 brown bears • 4 tigers, 1 cougar, 1 serval and many animals from other species (e.g.: racoons, foxes, wildcats, etc.) FELIDA Big Cat Centre • Netherlands • 1 tiger, 4 lions BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr • Ukraine AROSA Bear Sanctuary • 22 brown bears • Switzerland • 3 brown bears DANCING BEARS PARK Belitsa Haringsee • Bulgaria • 21 brown bears • Austria • 745 animals from 63 species (owls & birds of prey) BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina • Kosovo BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach • 20 brown bears • Austria • 4 brown bears 3 FOUR PAWS sanctuaries in Africa and Asia ELEPHANTS LAKE Al Ma’wa Wildlife Reserve • Myanmar • 5 elephants • Jordan BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh • 39 animals • Vietnam • 40 Asiatic black bears ORANGUTAN FOREST SCHOOL LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary • Indonesia • 12 orangutans • South Africa • 101 big cats and many animals from other species 4 FOUR PAWS RESCUES FOUR PAWS has rescued ~350 bears and FOUR PAWS currently takes care of ~250 bears big cats and big cats FOUR PAWS animal rescues Big cats and bears in FOUR PAWS’ care 100+ 60+ 250 190 Big cats and bears rescues Big cats and bears rescues from zoos Other From zoos 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 5 THE EU ZOOS DIRECTIVE: CLOSURE OF ZOOS When a zoo does not: - Fulfil the conservation measures; or - Comply with licensing conditions; The zoo must: - Comply within no more than 2 years - In case of non-compliance, the zoo will be closed to the public and the animals should be adequately relocated 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 6 SOLUTIONS FOR ANIMALS IN CASE OF ZOO CLOSURE What are the solutions? 1. Keep animals in the zoo • When appropriate conditions can be met 2. Rehome the animals in other captive facilities (sanctuaries, zoos, etc) • When the appropriate conditions cannot be met in the zoo • Short-term and long-term care requires space, finance and expertise 3. Return animals to the wild • Considered in a very small number of instances 4. Euthanasia • Where no appropriate institutions for relocation can be found • If animals are sick or injured 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 7 RELOCATING ANIMALS: WHERE DO THE ANIMALS GO TO? The paramount consideration should be which option can provide consistent care, be financially viable and ensure the welfare and the conservation of the animals. Recommended options: • Zoos affiliated with EAZA • Rescue centres and sanctuaries affiliated with national authorities and or/EARS • Rescue centres and sanctuaries with a no-breeding policy Not recommended options: • Substandard zoos • Commercial breeders • Private keepers • Circuses 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 8 CASE EXAMPLE 1 BULGARIA Plovdiv Zoo Background: • The zoo kept two brown bears, wolves, foxes, jackals, monkeys and other species in very bad conditions. • The zoo applied for a license but never had one. The zoo closed in 2008 as it did not meet the requirements for housing and keeping wild animals. • After the closure, the zoo prepared a plan for renovation and built a new zoo. However, due to administrative hurdles, the renovated zoo still does not function. © FOUR PAWS 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 9 CASE EXAMPLE 1 BULGARIA Plovdiv Zoo The rescue process: • In 2014, FOUR PAWS rescued and transferred the two brown bears to the DANCING BEARS PARK Belitsa in Bulgaria. • Many of the other animals kept in the zoo were relocated to other zoos in Bulgaria after the closure in 2014. FOUR PAWS provided logistical support for the relocation of some of the animals. • Costs: transport of the bears with FOUR PAWS own transport vehicle €500 + costs for care and accommodation in the sanctuary €15,000/year per bear. © FOUR PAWS 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 10 CASE EXAMPLE 2 GERMANY Kalletal & Lübeck Zoos • FOUR PAWS rescued two bears from Tierpark Kalletal, a small private zoo in Germany, after the facility was denied a new license and closed down. FOUR PAWS transferred the bears to BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz. © Sabine Vielmo • Takeover of the brown bear “Bruno” from Tierpark Lübeck in 2011. The zoo was closed after the land lease agreement was not extended and the zoo licensing process was suspended by the local authorities. There were massive critics of zoo management and keeping standards prior to the closure. © Sabine Vielmo 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 11 CASE EXAMPLE 3 ROMANIA Onesti Zoo Background: • Onesti Zoo was built in 2002 and was considered to be one of the smallest zoos in Romania (4,900m²). The zoo had to close down in 2007 due to non-compliance of the new regulation. The rescue process: • FOUR PAWS rescued all big cats of the zoos – 6 lions and 4 tigers – and transferred them to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, in South Africa. • Costs: rescue process and transport: +50,000€ + accommodation and care in LIONSROCK Sanctuary: 15,000€/year for one animal © VIER PFOTEN | Mihai Vasile 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 12 CASE EXAMPLE 4 BULGARIA Ruse Zoo Background: • The zoo kept two bears and farm animals in very poor conditions. The zoo never had a license. • The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water ordered the closure of the bear cage in 2014, as the facility did not meet the requirements of the national zoos legislation. © FOUR PAWS 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 13 CASE EXAMPLE 4 BULGARIA Ruse Zoo The rescue process: • In 2015, FOUR PAWS supported the rescue of the two brown bears who were transported from Ruse zoo to DANCING BEARS PARK Belitsa where they still live. • Costs of the rescue: €1,000 + costs for life-long care and accommodation in the sanctuary €15,000/year per bear. © FOUR PAWS 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 14 MAIN CHALLENGES 1. Long process for a substandard zoo to be compliant 2. Collaboration with the zoo operator and competent authorities 3. National authorities depend on NGOs and sanctuaries 4. Limited in-take capacities in rescue facilities 5. High cost of the rescue operation and care 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 15 GOOD PRACTICES Successful transformation Dobrich Zoo, Bulgaria: • 3-4 years of transformation supported by the Bulgarian-Swiss Pro Foundation. The zoo now houses a small number of animals and focuses on conservation and education measures. • FOUR PAWS transported three young brown bears to Dobrich zoo because their cages were restructured at zoo Pleven. • Once the repairs were completed, two bears were brought back to Pleven zoo and one remained in Dobrich zoo. 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 16 FOUR PAWS RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Species-adequate temporary and permanent facilities in every EU country 2. Financial support from the EU and MS to rescue facilities and sanctuaries across Europe 3. To be part of the licence: • A protocol for the closure of non-compliant zoos • Management strategy of the zoo animals’ population • Financial viability of the zoo to ensure the welfare of the animals in the long-term 4. To deal with closure and relocation: • Develop a national Action Plan • The confiscating authorities should conclude an agreement with the receiving facilities to set out terms and conditions 10.02.2021 2nd Member State and Stakeholder meeting on better implementation of the Zoos Directive 17 Thank you for your attention! FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, orangutans and elephants – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Hungary, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in twelve countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.