01/12/2025
PLEASE HELP US SAVE OUR PRIMATES!
Many of you have personally seen our two girls--Cindy and Gracie--who are seasonally on exhibit within the park. They have both been with us for years and have bonded over time. Both were pets before they came to us.
Delegate Martinez has been convinced that House Bill 1768 is a good idea, but it will hurt our primates and countless others. The language of the bill states that research facilities are exempt. Primate sanctuaries, shelters, veterinarians, and law enforcement are all exempted.
https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1768/text/HB1768
But when you see the zoo "exemption" there are a host of scenarios of why an exhibitor WILL NOT be allowed to keep their primates:
"A zoological park or circus that holds a Class C exhibitor license in good standing prior to July 1, 2026, provided that such park or circus (i) has not been, and has not employed any person who has been, convicted of or fined for an offense involving the abuse or neglect of any animal pursuant to any federal, state, or local laws; (ii) has not had its license or permit revoked or suspended regarding the care, possession, exhibition, propagation, or sale of any animal by any federal, state, or local agency, and has not received any official warning letter, or entered into any stipulations, consent decrees, or settlements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) within the past three years and shall disclose any known pending investigations that are being conducted by the USDA; (iii) has not been cited by the USDA under the federal Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq., for any noncompliant item within the past three years for any violation for a failure to allow a facility inspection or interference with a facility inspection; (iv) maintains liability insurance that is equal to or greater than $250,000, with a deductible of not more than $250 for each occurrence of property damage, bodily injury, or death caused by any primate possessed by the circus or zoological park; and (v) has a written plan, filed with the local animal control authority, for the quick and safe recapture of any primate that escapes, including written protocols for training staff on methods of safe recapture of such primate".
In October 2021 and February 2022, we were cited by our USDA inspector, because "A responsible adult was not available to accompany APHIS Officials during the inspection process..."
How did this occur?
We have ALWAYS operated seasonally. We live on the property. After Labor Day, we go to a reduced schedule of three days a week. Group visits of 20 or more are available by appointment Monday - Thursday. When our inspector visited in October 2021, it was during the week and we were in town running errands. These inspections are unannounced, surprise visits. We had no idea she was coming to the zoo.
In February 2022, we were cited again for the same reason. After Thanksgiving weekend, we close the park down until April. We do this every winter and are still taking care of our animals. When the inspector visited this time--unplanned and unannounced--STAFF WERE ON THE PROPERTY. However, our property is approximately 70 acres with animals and barns spread throughout. The inspector did not wait on the property long enough for us to see her. We were cited again and appealed the citation to USDA.
THIS WAS A COMMUNICATION ISSUE--NOT AN ANIMAL CARE ISSUE.
Delegate Martinez now wants to strip us and other small businesses of our primates for this very reason! He would rather throw Cindy and Gracie into turmoil or have them "humanely destroyed" (killed) than live with us, because of a citation. No true animal lover would be so cruel.
If you would please take a moment to call Delegate Martinez to tell him you oppose House Bill 1768 we would greatly appreciate it:
(804) 698-1029
You can also send him an email:
[email protected]
Your call or email could make the difference in saving the lives of Cindy and Gracie.
Thank you for your help!
