Four wolf hybrids were being kept in non-waterproofed enclosures, according to new charges by the USDA against Hollywild Animal Park. All dogs are required to be kept in dry enclosures.
The report details neglected, suffering animals and cramped and filthy enclosures.
Kim Atchley,Hollywild’s executive director, issued a statement: “We at Hollywild see the USDA as a partner in animal care. Any issue that our inspector brings to our attention as an area for improvement we respond to. That will always be the case. We move forward from each visit from the USDA with greater insight that benefits our ongoing care plans for the animals."
The USDA report included the following citations:
• the death of a baby alpaca who died from unknown causes this summer.
• the baby’s mother also died from unknown causes.
• unsheared alpacas reportedly experienced temperatures up to 100 degrees and another was found under nourished.
• the enclosures for the bears were found to be too small. That issue is to be corrected by Jan. 29. The enclosures were also filled with feces, mud, standing water and food waste, the report said.
• a tiger was also found in an enclosure filled with feces, urine and mud, and three ibex were in an area that had a “black layer of grime and numerous rolypoly bugs.”
• Hollywild was also cited for confining animals to dilapidated enclosures with exposed nails, loose floorboards, and gaps in fencing — putting them at risk of serious injury.
• An inspector found the remains of an animal believed to be a deer, in the park’s barn that reportedly had not been cleaned in a long time. Discarded building materials and waste were left scattered around the facility, noted the USDA.
Inspectors recommended that all the enclosures be adequately cleaned on a regular basis.
• four wolf hybrids were being kept in non-waterproofed enclosures. All dogs are required to be kept in dry enclosures.
The report said in the general evaluation of the facility, the animal feed was not being properly stored and was not protected from deterioration, mold or contamination from vermin. That issue was to have been corrected by Nov. 11.
Inspectors were at the park after a Jan. 9 fire in the primate barn that killed 28 animals including a chimpanzee, baboons, and lemurs.