New bill proposal aims to loosen state regulations on privately-owned zoos, animal exhibitors

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A new bill introduced by Wisconsin republicans asks for loosened state regulations on certain zoos and animal exhibits.

Those in favor say it's a matter of fairness, and those opposed say it could lead to animal mistreatment.

Under Wisconsin law, zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) are exempt from state DNR regulations.

This new bill asks for the same exemptions for animal centers accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).

All animal exhibitors in the United States must be regulated and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), regardless of any accreditation.

"It's simply us trying to get rid of the redundancy of the DNR having to only come back to certain zoos, but not all of them," said Rep. Alex Dallman, one of the bill's co-authors.

In Wisconsin, the DNR imposes regulations on ZAA accredited facilities, and any non-municipal exhibitors.

The only ZAA facility in the state is Wildwood Wildlife Park in Minocqua.

"These redundant activities are currently only required by the state for privately owned zoological facilities like mine," said co-owner, Judy Domaszek.

Domaszek said the DNR's regulations are limited, as they only apply to species native to Wisconsin; a small percentage of the animals at her zoo.

"Their efforts provide little, if any, benefit to the wellbeing of animals at my zoo," Domaszek said.

However, some activists believe the ZAA has fewer intensive standards than the AZA, making stronger regulations necessary.

"These ZAA-accredited facilities buy, sell, and trade wild animals," said Bethanie Gengler, director of Roadside Zoo News, an animal advocacy website.

While the USDA oversees all animal exhibitors, accreditations offer an extra tier of regulation.

"There are standards we have to go by to make sure those animals have been collected sustainably and bred responsibly," said Amos Morris, the executive director of the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The Milwaukee County Zoo has been AZA-accredited since 1976.

63 facilities are ZAA-accredited in the United States, many of which are privately owned.

"There's a bigger spectrum of types of organizations that can be accredited to ZAA," Morris explained.

Morris says accreditations are checks and balances - clarifying an exhibitor's purpose.

"For us, it's for education, science-based research and sustainability for conservations. Others don't have those standards. They may be keeping them because they can make a heck of a lot of money off of them," Morris said.

The USDA typically inspects exhibitors every year, while both the ZAA and AZA do inspection and reaccreditation every 5 years.

An executive session regarding the bill is set for next Wednesday, September 13.

For a list of AZA standards, click here.

For a list of ZAA standards, click here.