Giraffes from the 3-Vallées zoo in the Tarn.
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B. Colin / 20 Minutes
The wolf cubs, lions and skunks of the 3 Valleys Zoo, in the Tarn, will not be moving anytime soon.
The Toulouse administrative court has, in fact, suspended this Monday the prefectural decree ordering its closure.
And this, at the request of Barbara Pompili, the Minister for the Ecological Transition.
On October 23, the ministry explained that it had made its decision following “numerous reports” and an “unexpected check” on October 19.
"This check confirmed that major shortcomings within the establishment endangered the animals, but also the visitors and staff of this site," said Barbara Pompili's team.
The ax fell too fast
The sanction was, however, too quick and too drastic.
According to the Toulouse administrative court, which was only able to take cognizance of the famous inspection report in part, it should have been preceded by a formal notice or a request for compliance.
Starving animals, unsanitary enclosures: I asked the Tarn prefect to immediately close the 3 valleys zoo.
The animals will be transferred to suitable establishments.
I will have no tolerance: when we welcome wild animals, we respect the rules.
pic.twitter.com/mFFlxUQ2TZ
- Barbara Pompili (@barbarapompili) October 23, 2020
In his appeal, Sauveur Ferrara, founder and owner of the zoo, was also worried about the fate of his some 400 animals.
The ministry gave him a month to find them an acceptable base, a real challenge for wolves, lions or giraffes.
The 3 Vallées Zoo series is probably not finished but the move is suspended for the time being, like the prefectural decree.
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Toulouse
Barbara pompili
Animals
Zoo
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