TORONTO—Animal Justice, Canada’s leading animal law organization, is calling on animal welfare authorities to seize and rescue Boogie, a young macaque monkey who is confined at a roadside zoo in Ontario. Boogie continues to exhibit signs of severe distress two years after his plight was first brought to the attention of authorities.
In fall of 2022, Boogie gained national attention after Animal Justice investigated a number of roadside zoos in Ontario, including Bervie Zoological Park in Kincardine where Boogie is held. Boogie was filmed biting himself and performing other repetitive stereotypical behaviours which are typically a sign of mental anguish from the stress of confinement.
The footage aired on CTV’s investigative affairs program W5. During the broadcast, animal behaviour expert Dr. Georgia Mason of the Campbell Centre for Animal Welfare at the University of Guelph stated that this type of behaviour is indicative of poor welfare across the lifespan of an animal.
Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) had previously seized and removed a number of animals from Bervie Zoo in 2022, including a baboon named Bruno, who was given a new lease on life at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, a renowned rescue in Sunderland, Ontario.
However, Boogie did not share the same good fortune and continues to languish. Animal Justice visited the roadside zoo again in 2023 and after witnessing no real improvements, filed a complaint urging PAWS to investigate the conditions at the zoo.
Now, another year has passed, and Boogie continues to exhibit the same abnormal, deeply troubling behaviors. In video recorded in August, Boogie can be seen repeatedly biting himself, circling, pacing, and rocking in his small wire-fenced enclosure, all potential signs of psychological distress.
“Boogie’s troubling behaviors have persisted for years, and it’s time that authorities relocate him to a sanctuary with better conditions where his needs can be prioritized,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice.“With most members of the public opposed to keeping animals in zoos, It’s unacceptable that Boogie remains trapped at Bervie Zoo, apparently alone and suffering.”
Animal Justice believes the best case scenario for Boogie is a sanctuary like Story Book Farm, which has high standards and prioritizes the needs of monkey residents. Animal Justice has shared its most recent findings in a formal complaint to PAWS and is urging immediate action to help Boogie. Bervie Zoo is also currently facing 21 outstanding animal welfare-related charges stemming from the 2022 seizures.
In addition to the heartbreaking conditions Boogie continues to live in, Animal Justice also found other issues at Bervie, including two lions forced to live in restrictive enclosures that pose an escape risk. A staff member was recorded on video assuring guests the lions were currently too “clumsy” to make the climb.
“Boogie’s behaviour and other issues found at Bervie prove the point that Ontario is the roadside zoo capital of Canada,” Ms. Labchuk said. “Without any mandatory licensing or meaningful welfare standards Ontario still remains the wild west for zoos, leaving animals to suffer in cruel, inadequate conditions.”
Unedited B-roll of Boogie from our recent investigation, as well as 2022 and 2023 can be found here.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]
