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The Greater Vancouver Zoo is a [[zoo]] located in [[Aldergrove, British Columbia]]. It is the first zoo in the world to own [[Segway PT|Segways]]. |
The Greater Vancouver Zoo is a [[zoo]] located in [[Aldergrove, British Columbia]]. It is the first zoo in the world to own [[Segway PT|Segways]]. |
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==History Of The Zoo== |
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The story of the '''Greater Vancouver Zoo''' began in the late [[1960's]] when world traveler and businessman, [[Pat Hines]], purchased 120 acres of land in Aldergrove, British Columbia. It was ideal for the realization of his dream to create a game farm. At first registered as the [[World Wide Game Farm Ltd]]. it became known as the Vancouver Game Farm, which had its official opening on [[August 20]]th, [[1970]]. |
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The first animal to arrive was "Dennis", an agreeable male [[llama]] from [[Mount Vernon]] in [[Washington State]]. Very quickly, animals of every size, description and background began to fill the newly constructed [[paddocks]]. |
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Pat Hines and his wife [[Ann Hines|Ann]] operated the Game Farm with family members and employees. When their daughter [[Eleanor Hines|Eleanor]] married [[Hugh Oakes]], the young couple took over the management of the facility until it was sold to new owners in 1991. The story of the Greater Vancouver Game Farm is told in Pat Hines book [["From Rabbits to Rhinos, Gophers to Gnus"]] published by [[Rima Books]] ([[Okanagan Falls, British Columbia|Okanagan Falls]], [[British Columbia|BC]]). |
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Under new management, the Game Farm benefited from many changes including a new name. Reflecting the public's changing expectations of Zoos, the Vancouver Game Farm became known as the Greater Vancouver Zoological Centre. Many improvements took place during this time period with new animal enclosures, interpretive miniature train rides, a picnic park with covered gazebos & BBQ's, expanded landscaping, a remodeled entrance, more parking spaces, interpretive and educational programs and activities. In 1998 our "North American Wilds" exhibit opened and provided a narrative Safari bus ride for visitors through one area where black bears and wolves live together; and then into another habitat for the elk, mule deer and bison. |
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In 1999 the name of the Greater Vancouver Zoological Centre was changed to the Greater Vancouver Zoo, along with a change of owners and with further improvements for the facility and its inhabitants. As time changes, again the focus of Zoos were changing and more enchancements were made, now in respect to conservation efforts. The Greater Vancouver Zoo joined the [[Oregon Spotted Frog]] Recovery Program in 2000, a species which was the only organism that received an "emergency listing" as an endangered species in [[Canada]] at that time. The Greater Vancouver Zoo still is actively involved in this program, our staff yearly along with the Recovery Team tags, weighs, measures and releases the frogs into the wild. |
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Over the next few years numerous more enhancements were completed including the building of these new enclosures: [[Grizzly Bear]], [[Artic Wolf]], [[Camel]], [[Mountain Sheep]], [[Hippo]] and improvements to the [[Giraffe]] enclosure. Many animals have been rescued over the years at the Greater Vancouver Zoo; one animal in particular who could never be released back to the wild as she was abandoned at such a young age is "Shadow" our Grizzly bear. In addition the majority of our reptiles, exotic birds, various cat species and many others we have taken in for numerous reasons. The Zoo has also made improvements to buildings & nurseries, introduced the Educational [[Bird of Prey]] (free flying raptor presentation), built new perimeter roads for service vehicles, electricity upgrades, water wells dug, new staff room, new indoor Education Centre developed and a new train are just a few of improvements and additions along the way. |
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The focus for the future is on further enhancements to our animal enclosures, conservation efforts, education and all environmental aspects. We look forward to the future and we hope that you will be there to support us every step of the way. |
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==Accusations of cruelty== |
==Accusations of cruelty== |
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Revision as of 00:55, 6 December 2007
| Greater Vancouver Zoo | |
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| File:VancouverZooLogo.jpg | |
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| Date opened | 1970 (as Langley Petting Zoo) |
| Location | 5048 264th Street Aldergrove, British Columbia, CAN |
| Memberships | Formerly CAZA (until May 2004 due to accusations of cruelty (see below) CAZA/AZA |
| Website | http://www.gvzoo.com/ |
The Greater Vancouver Zoo is a zoo located in Aldergrove, British Columbia. It is the first zoo in the world to own Segways.
Accusations of cruelty
On May 31, 2006, the Crown Counsel of British Columbia laid formal charges[1] against the Greater Vancouver Zoo, in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, for failing to provide adequate facilities for a baby hippo acquired in October 2004. This was the first case of a major Canadian zoo being charged with cruelty to animals. [1]
In January 2007 the case was stayed as crown counsel believed, with the opening of a new habitat for hippos, that the charges were no longer in the public interest. This was not seen as vindication for the Greater Vancouver Zoo, nor a statement that charges were unjustified[2].
In 1997 two reports by Zoocheck Canada and UK veterinarian Samantha Lindley called on the Greater Vancouver Zoo to improve the conditions for the animals it holds, such as elephants and big cats. In 2003 few improvements had been made.[3]
Animals
References
External links
| Types of zoos | |
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| Conservation | |
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| Related | |
