21/02/2011 03:18 PM
The public may be at risk of attack from animals at some Canadian zoos because security fencing is too low, it has been claimed.
Two animal welfare organisations are warning that six zoos in Ontario are keeping animals, including families of big cats, behind inadequate fencing, CTV News reports.
Zoocheck and the World Society for the Protection of Animals wants the region to make legislation tougher for the owners of such animals.
After a visit to six zoos, Zoocheck's Rob Laidlaw told the news provider: "The two big problems were the low fence heights for some animals and ... if people were motivated, they could get close to the animal cages," he said.
In some instances, lions and tigers were behind three-metre fencing – but Mr Laidlaw warned that tigers can jump four metres.
Some zoos didn't have perimeter security fencing to keep animals on the property, the organisations also said.
Recently, additional security fencing was installed around a geothermal pool at a park in New Zealand after a ten-year-old boy died.
The boy fell into the hot pool in Kuirau Park, in Rotorua, on Boxing Day last year.
Two animal welfare organisations are warning that six zoos in Ontario are keeping animals, including families of big cats, behind inadequate fencing, CTV News reports.
Zoocheck and the World Society for the Protection of Animals wants the region to make legislation tougher for the owners of such animals.
After a visit to six zoos, Zoocheck's Rob Laidlaw told the news provider: "The two big problems were the low fence heights for some animals and ... if people were motivated, they could get close to the animal cages," he said.
In some instances, lions and tigers were behind three-metre fencing – but Mr Laidlaw warned that tigers can jump four metres.
Some zoos didn't have perimeter security fencing to keep animals on the property, the organisations also said.
Recently, additional security fencing was installed around a geothermal pool at a park in New Zealand after a ten-year-old boy died.
The boy fell into the hot pool in Kuirau Park, in Rotorua, on Boxing Day last year.
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