contact: media@aldf.org
San Francisco – Today, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) announced that the transfer of animals from a rural zoo in Pennsylvania to an animal shelter is underway. Settlement The agreement calls for 45 animals to be rehomed over a five-year period. The rescue began in November 2024 with a scarlet macaw named Scarlett who moved to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. a The ringed lemur at the Endangered Primate Foundation’s Prosimian Sanctuary in Jacksonville, Florida; And two Brown wolves In an asylum in Pennsylvania.
In January 2019, ALDF filed a lawsuit against the roadside zoo for maintaining the animals in violation of the law. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and state wildlife laws. The ring-tailed lemur, named Mrs. Lemur, was kept alone in a small enclosure inadequate for the needs of her species. Lemurs are highly social animals that live in large herds and travel long distances in the wild.
During the litigation, Scarlett was included in the ESA claim after a rural zoo in Pennsylvania acquired the bird. This was the first known ESA claim brought by a captive bird Law. Scarlett was living alone in a cage with no enrichment and no chance to fly or socialize with other parrots. Clearly underweight, Scarlett had nearly every feather ripped from her body.
Two wolves, Ridge and Arrow, lived in a small fenced area, which was insufficient to meet their physical and psychological needs. Overall, zoo animals were not receiving adequate veterinary care. – A fact that became apparent after Ridge broke his leg at the facility.
“When roadside zoos are not held accountable for failing to comply with important animal protection laws, animals are forced to suffer in silence,” said ALDF Senior Staff Attorney Caitlin Foley. “We are thrilled to play a role in securing the transfer of captive animals from Pennsylvania’s rural roadside zoos who deserve a better life. – One can live life on their own terms and not for the entertainment of others.
“We are pleased to partner with ALDF in providing competent, professional care for lemurs and other exotic animals,” said Tracy Fan of the Endangered Primate Foundation’s Prosimian Sanctuary. “Most importantly, we are happy to be able to provide Ms. Lemur’s socialization with specialty, which is critical to Lemur’s well-being.
Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. These are usually small menageries where wild animals such as lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer a lot. Animals often live in small, dirty cages. They are given inadequate food and are deprived of medical care. They have little in the way of mental stimulation – often, not even the company of other animals, as many roadside zoos keep animals in individual cages. Sometimes roadside zoos even encourage dangerous interactions between animals and visitors, such as bottle-feeding bear cubs.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is in charge of regulating the welfare of animals exhibited in roadside zoos, or “menageries.” Under current Pennsylvania law, the commission is responsible for ensuring that animals are exhibited in safe and humane conditions, in a manner that does not result in abuse or neglect, and that Adequate veterinary care should be provided. Despite this mandate, the commission employs inspectors with little expertise to assess the condition of animals on exhibit at zoos.
gave Animal Welfare Act There is a central federal law that governs roadside zoos. The law itself, as well as its enforcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is often criticized for preventing inhumane practices by roadside zoo operators. State laws vary widely, with some having such lax oversight that states have become notorious as havens for cruel roadside zoos. ALDF advocates for stronger state and federal laws, and protections under existing laws.
Photos and video of macaws and lemurs that were relocated are available upon request.
For more information, visit aldf.org/roadside.
