Zebras, lions, kangaroos among exotic animals seized at Quebec zoo

A zoo owner in central Quebec is facing criminal chargesafter roughly 100 animals were seized at a facility in Saint-douard-de-Maskinong.

Normand Trahan was arrested Tuesday morning by SPCAinvestigators, with the assistance of provincial police, on charges of animal neglect and cruelty.

If found guilty, Trahan could face up to five years in prisonand a lifetime ban on owning an animal.

"To our knowledge, this is the first time in Canada that a zoo owner is facing criminal animal cruelty charges," said Sophie Gaillard, animal advocacy director with the Montreal SPCA.

It is also the first timein Quebec thatanimal cruelty charges have been laid by way of indictment under the federal Criminal Code, Gaillard said, which opens the door to harsher penalties than under provincial laws.

"We're really pleased that this file is being taken seriously by the prosecutors involved," she said at a news conference at the zoo on Tuesday.

The animalsfound at the St-douard Zoo, about 120 kilometres north of Montreal, include lions, tigers, zebras, camels, kangaroos andbears.

Flags raised in 2018

The SPCAsaid it started investigating after a visitor called themin 2018.

"We received a complaint from the public andconducted a thorough investigation that led us to discover other pieces of evidence," said Gaillard.

Two alpacas were seized in October 2018, following an initialinspection the previous August. Four animal carcasses, including those of two tigers, were also found, as well as the bodies of two birds.

Humane Society International (HSI), a non-profit organization,is tasked withcaring for the remaining animalsand finding them new homes.

SPCA and HSI employees have spent the day goingaround the zoo to take inventory of the living conditions.

"Some animals didn't have access to water and proper food," saidEwa Demianowicz, senior campaign manager with HSI/Canada.

"Some animals needed veterinary care, so these are not conditions that we usually see in zoos," said Demianowicz.

So far, none of the animals were found to bein "imminent danger," but it will take weeks to transfer them to other sanctuaries in the HSI network, in Canada and in the United States.

"This is without a doubt the most complex animal rescue we've undertaken in Canada," saidRebecca Aldworth, executive director ofHSI/Canada.

The costs of the operation are partially being covered by the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation, which supports wildlife advocacy organizations.

Multipleinfractions

The St-douard Zoo had been fined in the past for breaching Quebec's wildlife protection laws.

The Ministry of Wildlife, which is responsible for issuing permits to zoos, could not confirm at this time whether Trahan had the proper permits to run an exotic zoo.

Quebec's business registry lists the zoo as a breeding facility for livestock and poultry.

According to Radio-Canada, it had been for sale for several yearsbecause Trahan wanted to retire.

The 69-year-oldappeared at the Trois-Rivires courthouse Tuesday afternoon and was released on a promise to appear June 21.

His lawyer,Michel Lebrun, said Trahan hasalways collaborated with officials and was planning to openthe zoo this week.

"As far as I know, he has had the proper permits with the Ministry of Wildlife and the MAPAQ[Quebec's food and agriculture inspection agency] for the past 30 years," said Lebrun.

Trahantook over the propertyin 1989 when it wasknown as theCentre d'Observation de la Faune.

According to the zoo's website, visitors can see up to 100 species ofexotic animals, including lions, tigers, baboons and leopards.