Animals removed from roadside Manchester zoo after living in deplorable conditions
More than 150 animals were removed Monday from a Manchester zoo deemed unsafe by an Iowa judge.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, The Wild Animal Sanctuary and other agencies worked together to undertake the removal of the animals — from black bears to gerbils — out of Cricket Hollow Animal Park.
A judge ruled last month that the animals must be removed from the zoo after four plaintiffs claimed the owners, Pam and Tom Sellner, were in violation of animal neglect laws. The plaintiffs said the Sellners should not be allowed to purchase any more animals.
The judge wrote in her ruling the zoo was unsafe for both the animals and human visitors. Animals defecated in the same space where they ate and clean water wasn't always available, she wrote.
The rescue effort took more than 18 hours, the ARL says. Crews took the animals to be treated and rehabilitated, preparing them for adoption or sanctuary placement, according to a news release. The animals included cavies, llamas, skunks, pigs, birds, rats, donkeys and several other species.
In total, 40 mice were relocated along with 34 rats, 15 sheep, 12 rabbits, 11 raccoons, 10 geese, 10 chickens, seven mini horses, six goats, three cats, three donkeys, two llamas, two goldfish, one turkey and one mule.
Veterinarians were on-scene Tuesday to give animals medical care.
Blank Park Zoo will be caring for about 20 critters, according to a news release.
"Some of the animals will stay at Blank Park Zoo on a permanent basis and we will work to place others in permanent homes at accredited zoos or sanctuaries," the zoo's release said.
Zoo officials said while Blank Park does not usually help with rescue efforts, its staff's expertise was needed in this instance. The release urged those who want exotic animals to obtain proper accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums first.
After an Iowa District Court judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, the process of removal was delayed by the owners' motion to stay the ruling pending appeal, the ARL wrote. The court denied the motion Wednesday, leading to Monday's rescue.
The lawsuit was the third filed against the zoo and has "effectively shut the zoo down," according to the ARL. A previous lawsuit concerning the treatment of four tigers and three lemurs set the precedent that the Endangered Species Act applies to those in captivity as well. Another lawsuit in 2016 led to the rescue of two African lionesses.
The zoo had its exhibitor's license revoked in December 2017 after the Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture for reissuing the license despite several violations issued by the USDA, according to the release. The Sellners' appeal of that judgment is still pending.
The Animal Defense League led the rescue effort, according to the ARL. Other organizations who helped in the relocation or are housing and healing animals include Blank Park Zoo, Corner Creek Acres, Cedar Valley Humane Society, Cedar Bend Humane Society, Gabriel Foundation, A Home for Every Bunny, Iowa Farm Sanctuary, KC Pet Project, Lusco Farms Rescue, Snakes Alive and Wildlife Rehabilitation Network of Central Iowa.
Danielle Gehr is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. She can be reached by email at dgehr@dmreg.com, by phone at 515-284-8367 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr.
Your subscription makes work like this possible. Join today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.