Indiana Petting Zoo Cited by USDA After 78 Birds Die

Summary:

Frankfort, IN – The City of Frankfort has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after 78 birds died at its petting zoo. According to a USDA inspection report, a veterinary medical officer visited the facility to conduct a routine inspection on Dec. 11 and recorded several violations, including the deaths of 78 birds in a five-month period. This change included a reduction of 32 zebra finches to 19, 27 lovebirds to 17 and 77 parakeets to 22. In total, the report alleged the small avian species population declined from 136 to 58, resulting in a 57% overall reduction.

When employees were questioned about this, the report outlined how they told the veterinary medical officer that they would sometimes find dead birds but were unsure what the cause was. No veterinary exams or necropsies were conducted to learn more about what may have caused the deaths, according to the report. The report also highlighted additional violations, including personnel not being able to provide proof that the facility had an active contingency plan, noted that employees could not offer a written program of veterinary care, and pointed out that the animal food storage conditions were unsanitary. There was an additional issue with the facility’s twilight exhibit that was responsible for providing housing to three foxes. The report said the interior and the north end of the enclosure had an area that did not feature a dig barrier alongside two tunnels that measured around 8 inches in diameter, and that animals would escape regularly.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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