The Animal Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit against The Farmers Inn, a roadside zoo in Sigel, Pennsylvania, for maintaining animals in squalid conditions in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and state animal cruelty laws.
Many endangered species, along with other animals, are held in grossly deficient conditions at Farmers Inn. These include Queen Louise, a ring-tailed lemur, who despite belonging to a highly social species, is kept alone in a small, filthy cage. Other ESA-protected animals were also found to be confined in cramped cages. These include Russell, a black leopard; Jack and Jill, two black bears; a gray wolf and a hyacinth macaw.
“These animals, including endangered species, are being held in conditions that are not just abhorrent but illegal,” Animal Legal Defense Fund Executive Director Stephen Wells said in a statement. “State and federal animal protection laws exist so that animals won’t be forced to live in these conditions. The animals held at Farmers Inn deserve to be in naturalistic sanctuary environments that allow them to engage in activities natural to their species and necessary for their health.”
Visitors have reported seeing animals at Farmers Inn who are sick and injured. For example, the bears, Jack and Jill, were seen in what appeared to be heat distress on a day where the temperature exceeded 90 degrees. A kinkajou, a small rainforest mammal, was noticed with an injured eye. An emaciated goat, significantly stressed guinea pigs, and foxes suffering from apparently untreated mange were also observed.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund previously sent a 60-day notice of intent to sue, a requirement under the ESA. The organization has also offered assistance in transferring the animals held at Farmers Inn to reputable sanctuaries where their unique needs can be met, and they can thrive. Farmers Inn has thus far not responded to the offer.
As previously reported by WAN, sadly, the problems at Farmers Inn are not unique. Roadside zoos such as Farmers Inn continue to be able to operate due to lack of enforcement of state and federal animal protection laws.
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