Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 22, 1994 TAG: 9403220084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Miava Binkley, a USDA supervising veterinarian, said an administrative judge must first sign an order reinstating the zoo's license, which was suspended in October for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act dating back several years.
Zoo owner Karl Mogensen was also fined $10,000, $3,500 of which was suspended. He paid the remaining $6,500 in October.
The agency is continuing to investigate whether Mogensen violated his suspension by selling or transporting a camel and an African lynx in December, Binkley said. That investigation is being handled as a separate matter, she said.
An inspector who toured the zoo last Tuesday at Mogensen's request found some problems, including gaps in fences. The inspector returned Thursday and okayed the zoo, Binkley said.
Mogensen said Monday he hopes to be open by April 1, as the zoo has been for the past 22 summers. "I don't foresee any problems," he said.
No special conditions or requirements will be attached to the new license, Binkley said, although the agency will keep an eye on the zoo.
"Obviously, we're going to follow up on this guy a little closer," she said.
Joe Strauss, a West Virginia animal dealer and consultant for Mogensen, said the inspector was at the zoo most of the day and evening Thursday.
"They're always thorough. This was, let me pick a good word, painstakingly thorough," Strauss said.
In the past, the USDA had found violations, including excessive feces in cages, food and water contaminated by rodent droppings, torn fencing with protruding wires, broken glass and junk piles within reach of animals.
Inspection reports show that some problems were corrected, but new ones were found from year to year.
by CNB