USDA: Don't let Hollywild Animal Park get away with animal welfare violations and deaths
On January 10, 2015 a fire at Hollywild Animal Park here in South Carolina killed more than two dozen animals. Hollywild Park chose not follow the model fire code for animal housing facilities (National Fire Protection Association 150), which requires smoke detectors and sprinklers. Because Hollywild was negligent in not providing said detectors and sprinklers, lemurs, chimpanzees, wolf hybrid puppies, tortoises, capuchins, baboons, mangabeys, a bear cub, an African crowned crane, and a barn cat are all now dead!
The USDA must revoke Hollywild's exhibitor license.
Hollywild Animal Park has continually failed to meet minimum Federal Standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established by the Animal Welfare Act. Prior to the January fire, the USDA has cited Hollywild repeatedly (reports say at least 50 times since 1991) for failure to provide animals with veterinary care, failure to provide primates suffering from psychological distress with environmental enrichment, failure to provide minimum space, incompatible animals housed together, failure to provide shelter from inclement weather, improper feeding and watering, filthy and foul smelling enclosures, inadequate drainage, and improper waste disposal.
At least six elephants have died at Hollywild since 1991, including 5 who died within a 3 month period.
Due to the chronic non-compliance of this facility and the inability for Hollywild to maintain a professional acceptable level of care, maintenance, and enrichment for animals, we urge the USDA torevoke Hollywild's exhibitor license and allow the remaining animals to go to qualified sanctuaries.
Due to the chronic non-compliance of this facility and the inability for Hollywild to maintain a professional acceptable level of care, maintenance, and enrichment for animals, we urge the USDA torevoke Hollywild's exhibitor license and allow the remaining animals to go to qualified sanctuaries.
The USDA is currently investigating the tragedy. Please tell the USDA that its credibility is at stake. It should not license a park which exploits wildlife and shows consistent neglect.
