Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 15, 1994                   TAG: 9403150113
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NATURAL BRIDGE ZOO OWNER GETS INSPECTION

The agency plans to inspect the zoo today, said Miava Binkley, a department veterinarian who supervises Virginia. The findings will not be available for several weeks, she said.

In October, the USDA suspended Mogensen's license to operate the zoo and fined him $6,500 for violations of the Animal Welfare Act dating back several years. Under the suspension, Mogensen is not allowed to sell or exhibit animals.

Mogensen paid the fine in October, according to the USDA. He has about 300 animals - including a tiger, an elephant, bears, camels, African wildcats and hoofed animals - at the zoo, which opened in 1972.

Binkley said that Mogensen requested the inspection last week.

Mogensen had declined several requests for an interview for a story about the license suspension and conditions at the zoo that appeared in Monday's Roanoke Times & World-News. He could not be reached for comment Monday.

Binkley said that the media would not be allowed to "interfere with our process" of inspecting the zoo, which will probably take most of the day.

Mogensen is also under investigation by the USDA for selling or transporting at least two animals in violation of his license suspension.