BENTONVILLE -- A spider monkey exposed to cold weather developed frostbite on its hands and feet and lost several digits, according to a federal complaint filed against the Wild Wilderness Drive Through Safari in Gentry.
The complaint, filed in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, accuses the owner of 68 violations of the Animal Welfare Act between 2012 to 2016. Allegations range from failure to provide adequate veterinarian care in 13 cases to 43 instances of animals kept in dirty or otherwise inadequate conditions.
Animal Welfare Act
The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966 and it’s the only federal law regulating the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport and by dealers. The act is enforced by the Department of Agriculture, along with the department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Animal Care.
Source: USDA
The incident involving the spider monkey happened between Jan. 6 and Jan. 28, 2014, according to the complaint. Two other violations concerning weather were listed in the complaint.
A news release from the Animal Welfare Institute on Tuesday said the complaint was filed against Wild Wilderness Inc., the company operating the safari. The institute was started in 1951 to alleviate suffering inflicted on animals by people, according to its website.
"This is one of the worst exhibitors in the country and has been for decades. It is appalling that they have been allowed to continue to operate," said Cathy Liss, institute president. "Enough is enough. We strongly urge the USDA to seek revocation of Wild Wilderness' exhibitor license, as well as a meaningful fine."
Representatives with the Department of Agriculture couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
Two telephone messages left Tuesday afternoon at the Safari weren't returned. The complaint names Freda Wilmoth as an exhibitor and the holder of an Animal Welfare Act license for the venue.
Wild Wilderness resolved similar violations in 2008 by paying a $3,094 penalty, and the company was issued an official warning in 2012 for violations of regulations, according to the complaint.
The 400-acre safari is home to a variety of exotic animals and consists of a 4-mile drive-through, petting parks and walk- through areas for interaction with animals, according to its website. It reported holding 886 animals in 2016, the complaint says.
The complaint also accuses Wild Wilderness of willfully violating regulations on at least six occasions by failing to have sufficient distance and/or barriers between animals and the public.
Five wolf hybrid cubs were in an enclosure with no barrier between them and the public June 13, 2016, according to the complaint. On Oct. 12 of last year there was no barrier between the public and the juvenile camel enclosure or between the public and the juvenile hog enclosure outside the giraffe barn, according to the complaint.
Wild Wilderness is accused of violating regulations several times by failing to have a responsible, knowledgeable and readily identifiable employee or attendant present at all times during public exhibition in the walk-through park.
The safari is accused of violating regulations concerning failing to comply with the minimum standard for animals from 2012 to 2016. In one instance, an enclosure housing three primates contained a dirty shelter and had excessive accumulation of dirt, grime and waste on the floor.
Wild Wilderness resolved violations in 2008 by paying a $3,094 penalty and the company was issued an official warning in 2012 for violations of regulations, according to the complaint.
On another occasion, a rhesus macaque wasn't in an enclosure and was running free in the park's drive-through area.
NW News on 03/15/2017