News

Lawsuit Filed Against Pennsylvania Roadside Zoo Results in Rescue of Eight Animals

Lawsuit will continue on behalf of the remaining animals at Pymatuning Deer Park

February 2, 2022

Thanks to Animal Legal Defense Fund supporters, a tiger named Nila, two lions — Buddy and Missa, two ring-tailed lemurs, a Mikado pheasant, a military macaw, and a blue-and-gold macaw will at last have access to species-appropriate habitats and enrichment.

Animals at Pymatuning have been seen engaging in behaviors that indicate stress, such as pacing repeatedly and spinning in circles. Big cats Nila, Buddy, and Missa, animals who travel great distances in the wild, were kept at Pymatuning Deer Park in cages far too small to meet their needs. Now, after an acclimation period, they’ll have plenty of room to roam and explore at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. The cage which held the two lemurs was so small it couldn’t even be cleaned properly, but now these bright, sensitive animals will have all the space they need, along with opportunities to climb and forage in the ways that come naturally to them.

In addition to the rescue, an elderly black bear named Bosco, confined for years in a concrete pit, will be moved to one of the now-vacant cages which held big cats.

Any cage at Pymatuning Deer Park is still a far cry from the life any animal deserves. But Bosco is showing signs of painful arthritis, and living in a concrete pit has inevitably worsened those symptoms.

Bosco has spent most of his life in a concrete pit at Pymatuning Deer Park. He will now be moved to one of the now-vacant big cat cages.

Two bonded macaws were rescued. Military macaws are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The blue-and-yellow macaw was also rescued due to their bond.

Ringo is one of two ring tailed lemurs rescued from Pymatuning Deer Park. Ring tail lemurs are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Bosco has spent most of his life in a concrete pit at Pymatuning Deer Park. He will now be moved to one of the now-vacant big cat cages.

Bosco has spent most of his life in a concrete pit at Pymatuning Deer Park. He will now be moved to one of the now-vacant big cat cages.

Two bonded macaws were rescued. Military macaws are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The blue-and-yellow macaw was also rescued due to their bond.

Two lions and a tiger were rescued from Pymatuning Deer Park. Lions and tigers are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

PVC pipes are commonly used at roadside zoos to provide the ability for patrons to feed the animals. Typically gumball machines dispense food, including corn and dog food. The two ring tailed lemurs were rescued from Pymatuning Deer Park. Ring tail lemurs are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Two bonded macaws were rescued. Military macaws are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The blue-and-yellow macaw was also rescued due to their bond.

PVC pipes are commonly used at roadside zoos to provide the ability for patrons to feed the animals. Typically gumball machines dispense food, including corn and dog food. The two ring tailed lemurs were rescued from Pymatuning Deer Park. Ring tail lemurs are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Bosco has spent most of his life in a concrete pit at Pymatuning Deer Park. He will now be moved to one of the now-vacant big cat cages.

The lawsuit argues that Pymatuning Deer Park is violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to provide proper care and conditions for endangered animals and is also violating Pennsylvania public nuisance laws by keeping all animals in inhumane conditions. The lawsuit will continue as there are numerous animals at the roadside zoo, like Bosco, still need our help.

Learn more about the lawsuit against Pymatuning Deer Park.

Resources

Related Content

Focus Area

How We Work

Issues

Tags:

Location:

Pennsylvania

Related