The operators of GuZoo say they are in limbo waiting for a new judicial hearing date to be set.The provincial government announced on Dec. 21 that the hearing, set to determine the fate of the Three Hills zoo, has been postponed to no fixed date. The hearing had been previously set for Jan. 31.ìThe longer the government is putting off the hearing, I think they are just hoping that it will break my dad, or the zoo,î said Bill Gustafson, son of owner Lynn Gustafson and GuZoo employee.ìWe put in close to $30,000 already into lawyer fees.îGuZoo is the largest private zoo in Alberta and is home to close to 400 animals, among them lions, tigers, cougars, lynx, bobcats, monkeys, parrots, wolves, camels and one serval. The Gustafsons also keep cows, horses, goats, sheep, dogs and cats. The facility also serves as an animal sanctuary.After pictures appeared on various social media websites last winter allegedly showing animals living in unclean conditions, the province contracted the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) to investigate the zoo. The process involved inspecting 108 elements under Alberta Zoo Standards. According to the CAZA report, GuZoo did not meet standards in 77 elements. The government of Alberta then ordered the decommissioning of GuZoo on June 9, 2011, but Gustafson countered by requesting a judicial review. On July 5, a consent order was signed, allowing GuZoo to operate under court-imposed conditions while the decommission order was undergoing legal review.ìIn our opinion, the postponement means that they still do not have any reason why they closed us so they are still looking. That is what it boils down to,î Bill Gustafson said.ìDad is quite upset because he wants it done with. We still have the same conditions they put on back in July.îUnder those conditions, the Gustafsons cannot bring new animals in or let animals off the premises.ìIt basically stops all movement unless we can get it permitted by the government to move something,î said Gustafson.ìWe could not even get our kids a pet dog.îThe Gustafsons must also notify Drumheller District Fish and Wildlife of any injuries caused by animals to visitors or zoo employees and of any injuries, illness or deaths of animals within 48 hours.However, they got permission last fall to start feeding deer roadkill to some of the animals again.ìThe government permitted it as long as the deer does not come from an area where chronic wasting disease is a problem,î said Gustafson.ìOne of the government's concerns is that such a disease becomes a problem at the zoo.îIn November, Lynn Gustafson decided to close the zoo for the winter for the first time in 21 years. The family hopes to reopen on April 1.ìUntil then, Dad will still accept visitors by appointment or family pass members,î Bill Gustafson said.
