Ontario introduces new bill to protect wildlife amid lack of zoo regulation in Canada

Photo: Ivan Stanic/Adobe Stock

A member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Ontario, Canada, has introduced a new bill aimed at safeguarding captive wildlife in the country. The new proposal seeks to fill a gap in provincial regulations of wildlife animals in zoo settings. The new bill—the Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2024—was announced earlier this month by Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier; Dolf DeJong, CEO of Toronto Zoo in Toronto, Ontario; and the World Animal Protection, a Canada-based animal welfare non-profit.

Currently, anyone in Canada can acquire wild animals and operate their own zoos as there is no licensing requirement for keeping non-native wild animals in a zoo. Additionally, there are no consistent standards in place, which leaves municipalities relying on inconsistent bylaws.1 Still, almost 50% of municipalities in Ontario have no bylaws overseeing the keeping of wild animals. This lack of regulation has led to the rise of “roadside zoos,” where animals are kept in substandard conditions, according to a news release.¹

“Keeping exotic wild animals in inadequate conditions is not only harmful to the animals but also dangerous for the public. Owning and caring for wild animals should be restricted to qualified individuals and organizations who are subject to proper government oversight,” said Collard in the release.¹ “It is long past time for Ontario to implement a regulatory framework for the keeping of wild animals in order to ensure the well-being of the animals and keep the public safe."

The Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2024 would mandate licensing for all zoos in addition to yearly inspections to ensure high standards of care and safety. Facilities would be required to meet strict licensing criteria like having proof of financial resources and emergency preparedness plans. The bill would also ban the use of wild animals for entertainment activities like petting sessions, photo ops, and performances that are detrimental to their wellbeing.

"The safety and well-being of both animals and people depend on these regulations. This act sends a clear message: substandard conditions and neglect have no place in Ontario. As a leader in wildlife conservation and education, the Toronto Zoo strongly supports these first steps to protect animals and communities alike,” said DeJong in a news release.¹

According to the World Animal Protection, Ontario has approximately 30 roadside zoos running without provincial regulation, making Ontario the province with the highest number of these facilities in Canada.¹ Moreover, the province lacks a central registry to track the locations and numbers of exotic animals in captivity.

"Ontario has a troubling history of unregulated facilities keeping wild animals in unsafe and inhumane conditions. The Captive Wildlife Protection Act is a critical step to protect animals and safeguard our communities,” Colin Saravanamuttoo, executive director of World Animal Protection, said in the release.¹

According to the organization, 88% of people in Ontario support provincial licensing and regulation of zoos. The bill is backed by animal welfare organizations, municipalities, and members of the Ontario legislature across different political parties.¹

Reference

1. Landmark bill introduced in Ontario to protect captive wildlife and regulate zoos. News release. World Animal Protection. December 4, 2024. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landmark-bill-introduced-in-ontario-to-protect-captive-wildlife-and-regulate-zoos-895315585.html