Skip to main content

Jamaica Zoo to be closed to the public for breaches of the environmental permit

Published Date: June 01, 2022

 

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) / has issued a Notice of Intention to Suspend to Jamaica Zoo Attractions Limited  Environmental Permit No. 2016-11017-EP00004 for the operation of a zoo. The Zoo is therefore ordered closed to the public effective 1 June 2022 until the company complies with the conditions sited in the Notice.

Jamaica Zoo was served with the Notice of Intention to Suspend at a meeting convened by the Agency’s CEO, Peter Knight, at its Head Office at 10 Caledonia Avenue this Monday morning. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Veterinary Services Division (VSD) and Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA). Mr.  Paul Fearon, operator of Jamaica Zoo was represented by Bruce Patterson & Company, attorneys’ at-law and an environmental technical expert.

The Notice of Intention to Suspend identifies breaches of general condition 9 and specific conditions: 1, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 19, 29, 29, 42, 43, 48 and 52 of the environmental permit.

The specific nature of the breaches relates to failure to amongst other thing:

  • Ensure that members of staff handling animals are properly trained;
  • Account for species held and/or filing related reports or notifications;
  • Submit  an animal nutrition  and welfare  programme; and
  • Engage competent technical skill sets to assist with operations.

Morjorn Wallock, Director, Legal and Enforcement Division, NEPA outlined some of the immediate steps that Jamaica Zoo is required to take in this matter. “The company is required to engage competent technical skills to assist with the operations of the Zoo; the installation of satisfactory animal enclosures for the welfare of the animals and submission of animal nutrition and welfare programme, among others."