I've seen Zoochatters refer to this as one of the worst US zoos still operating, so they may be interested to know that it seems its closed for good, at least according to facebook and roadsidezoonews. https://www.roadsidezoonews.org/pos...roadside-zoo-in-america-is-permanently-closed
I was thrilled to hear this until I saw that the animals were just being transferred to a similar roadside zoo. In my head I was envisioning a seizure that would result in them being sent to suitable facilities, but of course that was way too optimistic and naive. Hopefully Zootastic starts feeling the pressure now, because as it stands this is an incredibly hollow victory.
Well too be fair, it did say the majority but that doesn't mean all of the animals are going to Zootastic Park. Hopefully, some can at least go to other more decent facilities.
Zootastic has been improving, I believe their recent inspections were passed? Also, an honest question, the article says the animals were moved to Zootastic to 'avoid being transferred to an accredited facility' but are animals from these places that close or are closed ever transferred to AZA facilities? I assume the odd animal here and there are, but I have a hard time believing that the common or un-AZA-desired animals ever are transferred, animals like generic big cats and monkeys.
Passing USDA doesn't mean much in terms of reputability. Beyond that, an inspector recently got removed for being buddies with some not so great people. Passing inspection is the absolute bare minimum. Oakland Zoo recently got two tigers from a closed roadside zoo. If AZA zoos have the space, they take them, they just usually don't have the space to take on animals that aren't part of SSPs or anything.
And even if it is an SSP species, taking individuals from a roadside zoo may still not be possible or advised, as they would likely be non-studbook, non-pedigreed individuals of minimal value to the SSP.
