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Zoo rocked by abuse allegations Royce Millar and Cameron Houston

January 19, 2008

 

Zoo rocked by abuse allegations

 

Royce Millar and Cameron Houston

January 19, 2008

 

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SENIOR zoo experts, staff and the RSPCA have accused the Melbourne Zoo of

abuse and neglect of animals, including one incident where an animal

trainer stabbed an elephant more than a dozen times with a sharp metal

spike.

 

The incident is one of several revealed by an Age investigation that have

refuelled the row, both within and beyond the walls of the 146-year-old

zoo, over the treatment of wild animals in captivity.

 

A confidential internal memo from zookeeper Bryan Welch to then zoo

director Matt Vincent reported the stabbing in May last year of a

13-year-old elephant, Dokkoon, with a marlin spike

 

a large, needle-like implement used to untie rope knots.

 

In the memo, Mr Welch says animal trainer Pat Flora was trying to control

the elephant using a hooked implement known as an ankus or bullhook.

 

" After a time trying to control the elephant, Pat appeared to become

extremely angry and used his marlin spike to stab at the elephant's leg

repeatedly in excess of a dozen times. The elephants seemed obviously

distressed, standing back to back, vocalising and defecating. "

 

In the memo, Mr Welch says use of the marlin spike was " inappropriate and

excessive " and made a second keeper who witnessed it " physically sick " .

 

In an email response two days later, Mr Vincent said Mr Flora's action was

" justifiable " given the " potential risk to staff " . An electric cattle prod

is kept at the zoo for use in " emergencies " .

 

The incident has infuriated zoo critics, including the RSPCA's Victorian

president Hugh Wirth, who described it as " completely revolting " .

 

Former and current zoo staff say the stabbing and other incidents reflect

an outmoded disciplinary approach to animals and highlight problems with

commercialisation of the zoo.

 

In other incidents confirmed by the zoo:

 

An escape in October by a binturong (a South-east Asian bearcat) followed

a warning by staff that its enclosure was insecure.

 

Four seals have suffered partial blindness after being moved to a small

swimming pool

out of public view and possibly for up to three years

while the new $20 million Stories of the Sea exhibit is built. The eye

problems have been caused by chlorine in the pool.

 

The eyelids of a Malayan tapir were sewn together, also because of eye

trouble. In the wild, the tapir

another animal not on public display

lives and forages on the rainforest floor. Lack of tree cover and

over-exposure to the sun is believed to have contributed to the animal's

eye damage.

 

Veteran gorilla Rigo was kept in isolation from other gorillas for 16

years in an antiquated enclosure. He was finally reintegrated into a group

last year without problems.

 

Zoo management has also proposed an attraction known as the Cage of Death,

similar to a shark cage, which would allow close-up viewing of four male

lions at feeding time.

 

Mr Vincent said the elephant stabbing incident was unfortunate but he

defended Mr Flora's actions.

 

He said that Mr Flora was attempting to separate Dokkoon from other

elephants, but the recently imported Thai elephant had not responded to

" normal commands " communicated by Mr Flora through use of an ankus.

 

The elephant started to back into Mr Flora and he took " appropriate

action " .

 

Mr Vincent said a full investigation was undertaken and found no injury

had resulted from the incident.

 

No formal complaint was lodged against Mr Flora, and he continues to work

at the zoo as head keeper of many of the zoo's most important exhibits,

including seals and Sumatran tigers.

 

Former zoo strategic planner David Hancocks said the use of a marlin spike

or any other instrument intended to cause pain was " most definitely abuse

and an abrogation of basic responsibilities for the care and nurturing of

animals in the zoo's care " .

 

" There are essentially two ways to treat an elephant

by dominating and controlling it, which creates stress and potential

danger, or by only positive reinforcement and the creation of an

environment of mutual trust, " Mr Hancocks said.

 

" Pat Flora is definitely a staunch advocate of the former method. "

 

Documents obtained by The Age also reveal that the October escape by the

binturong followed a staff warning that an escape was likely because the

animal had been moved into an empty otter enclosure, considered by many

staff to be insecure.

 

A leaked staff email reveals the move was made because zoo board chairman

Andrew Fairley did not want any empty enclosures during the busy school

holiday period.

 

In the email to Mr Vincent, acting supervisor Kelly Hobbs says management

also told concerned staff that " the General Curator would accept all

responsibility for an escape, that many staff required animal catching

experience and that this may be a perfect opportunity " .

 

The binturong, named Chinta, was found in a tree in Parkville. Despite the

zoo's insistence it would never compromise an animal's welfare, Chinta was

fortunate not be killed crossing busy inner Melbourne roads.

 

" I must express that as an acting supervisor I feel that many of my

concerns about animal welfare in the carnivore department have been swept

aside, " says the Hobbs email.

 

Zoos Victoria senior veterinarian Helen McCracken confirmed the move was

intended to fill empty enclosures during the busy school holidays. " That's

true, but is that an unreasonable point of view from a business

perspective? "

 

Dr McCracken said the zoo took all possible measures to secure the

enclosure after staff raised concerns about animals escaping.

 

Mr Hancocks said the binturong escape was an example of " animal needs

being demoted in favour of the requirements of the turnstile " .

 

Dr McCracken said the seal pool complied with " minimum " international

standards. " Is it the way I'd like seals kept in the long term?

 

" No, of course not. But you have to break eggs to make an omelette. "

 

The Malayan tapir will be the last of its species kept at the zoo

following a series of problems, including lesions on its eyes. Dr

McCracken said the corners of the animal's eyes had been stitched up to

protect corneas from further damage.

 

She conceded that solitary confinement of Rigo the gorilla was not the

" desired way of keeping him " , but said his aggressive tendencies made

integration with other gorillas difficult.

 

Mr Vincent acknowledged the zoo had made mistakes, but said valuable

lessons had been learned from such incidents.

 

He said the zoo had recently received accreditation after a comprehensive

audit by the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and

Aquaria.

 

Dr McCracken said animal care and welfare was the primary duty of

Melbourne Zoo. " We wouldn't compromise those standards of animal care for

anything; it is the most important thing for us. "