Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

The failure of zoos in the Canary Islands to meet the requirements of the Spanish zoo law (and subsequently the EC Directive 1999/22/EC) appears to be as a direct result of the Regional Government neglecting to implement the law.  Therefore, the Regional Government should, within one year:

- Request the Environment and Agriculture Departments to identify who has direct responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the law,

- Draft regional legislation that transposes the zoo law and defines responsibilities and competences between Departments,

- Establish a working group within three months, with representation from the different competencies – including: veterinary practice; animal health; animal welfare; animal husbandry; security; public safety; and conservation, to establish the inspection protocol and assessment criteria,

- Ensure the regular inspection of all establishments that are identified as zoos (as defined), within six months, and to authorize those that meet the legal requirements,

- Establish a protocol for the improvement of those zoos that with assistance are able to meet the legal requirements and to timetable a further inspection to ensure the requirements are met and

- To close those zoos that are not likely to meet the legal requirements and, through joint efforts between the relevant authorities and licensed zoos, decide what humane action is to be taken to safeguard the welfare of the animals in question.

All the above points should be adopted to ensure that zoos in the Canary Islands are correctly licensed, inspected and comply with requirements of the law 21/2003.

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