Authorities seized 89 exotic animals and removed 28 that had died from a Virginia roadside zoo amid an animal cruelty investigation that stemmed from allegations that the creatures were being mistreated.
Gretchen Mogensen, daughter of Karl Mogensen, owner of the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County, told WSLS 10 the two-day search by investigators caused his animals “ungodly stress.”
“The whole parking lot was filled with state troopers, which was alarming enough as it is,” said Gretchen, who is also a zoo representative. “However, when we saw large animal trailers, that's when panic absolutely sets in your heart.”
(Video: YouTube)
According to the daily mail“Dozens of animals were found with various health problems and appeared to be living in 'dirty' habitats and many were not receiving adequate care and adequate food and water.”
In one case, “a dead goat appeared to have been left bloated for over an hour after it went unnoticed by staff,” the company reports.
According to the search orderfiled Friday in county circuit court, lemurs, macaws, pythons and llamas were among the live animals removed from the property.
A 12-year-old white Siberian tiger named Zeus was euthanized while Gretchen was by her side.
“I stroked his head, kissed his nose and held his paws as they took their last breath,” she said through tears. “Even though the cat could have been in trouble and was sick, our vet took care of it and we had it [a] very strong record of what was going on.”
According to the attorney general's office, Zeus was euthanized with the consent of the owners “to humanely end his suffering following the recommendation of the specialist veterinarian following his examination.”
The decision to attack the zoo was based on first-hand observations and investigations, according to the warrant.
The researchers believed “there was a direct and immediate threat to the health and safety of the animals,” it says.
A confidential informant working at the zoo accused the elephant keeper of insisting they use a hooked metal stick known as a bullhook and poke the animals where “the bone is close to the flesh” to earn their respect, reports the Daily Mail.
“The only reason you hit an elephant is to intimidate,” the porter reportedly said. “Through fear you earn respect.”
Asha the elephant slept in her own urine, affidavits reveal. She was given cold baths so she wouldn't “baby” too much and kept chained to a wall and shackled.
“Asha rocks and rocks from side to side to calm herself and relieve boredom and stress,” the affidavits read.
Asha was forced to carry hundreds of tourists on her back, with little concern for weight limits.
“The warrant examined all aspects of the zoo, including records of (animal) donations made or received, animal care records, veterinary records, animal feeding records, veterinary inspection certificates, records of transport, sales receipts, daily visitor logs, communications. or documents about the care and handling of any animal and all digital storage devices, including cameras, computers, external hard drives and mobile phones,” reports the Daily Mail .
Many of the animals, including lemurs, birds, pythons, turtles, a donkey and an alligator, were found dead, according to WSLS 10.
The head, tails and legs of a giraffe and the legs of a zebra were also listed in the gruesome order.
Mario Williams, a lawyer for the zoo's owner, promised he would “contest the criminal charges, one by one.”
“Show us where the negligence was,” he said. “You have to teach us all these things. You know, you can't run around saying things. And without any proof, really.”
“Four giraffes, three females and one male,” have not been seized, but there will be a seizure hearing to determine whether the animals have been subjected to cruelty or neglect “at a hearing set for December 20,” according to the Daily. Mail, which adds, “In 2019, the USDA issued Natural Bridge Zoo more than 150 citations for handling animals, sanitation and housing facilities.”
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