Animal welfare activists are calling on the province of Ontario to rescue a young macaque monkey named Boogie, who is displaying troubling behavior at a roadside zoo in Kincardine. The activists have filmed Boogie performing stereotypical behaviors such as spinning in circles, pacing back and forth, and appearing to bite himself. Boogie has been living alone in his enclosure for at least three years, showing signs of distress and self-harm. Animal Justice, a non-profit animal law organization, is urging animal welfare authorities to seize Boogie and relocate him to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in Sunderland.
Georgia Mason, director of the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare at the University of Guelph, viewed video footage of Boogie and identified his movements as classic abnormal behavior. She noted that the repetitive rhythmic movements, self-biting, and isolation are signs of distress and poor conditions. The fact that Boogie has been kept alone for such a long time is particularly concerning, as primates are highly social animals. The lack of social interaction and stimulation can have detrimental effects on the mental and physical well-being of primates like Boogie.
World Animal Protection Canada conducted an investigation in 2023 and found that Ontario lacks a provincial zoo licensing system, leading to weak and non-existent regulations at roadside zoos. Melissa Matlow, senior wildlife campaign director, emphasized the need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent animal suffering in facilities like Bervie Zoo. She visited Bervie Zoo herself a few years ago and expressed concerns about the welfare of the animals there, calling for the zoo to be shut down. Ontario’s lax regulations for captive wildlife make it a concerning jurisdiction for animal welfare advocates.
NDP MPP for St. Catharines, Jennie Stevens, wrote a letter to the solicitor general Michael Kerzner on behalf of the animals kept in captivity at places like Bervie Zoo. She highlighted the lack of meaningful animal welfare regulations and enforcement in Ontario, allowing facilities to operate under substandard conditions. Stevens emphasized the need for fairness to animals, ensuring they are protected and not kept alone, with their well-being as the top priority. The solicitor general’s office responded by stating that Ontario has implemented strong penalties and an enforcement system to protect animals, citing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act and the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales (PUPS) Act as examples of their commitment to animal welfare.
Despite the efforts of animal welfare activists and lawmakers, Bervie Zoo has not responded to requests for comment on Boogie’s situation. The lack of action from the zoo raises concerns about the welfare of other animals in their care and the need for greater accountability in the province. Animal Justice continues to advocate for the rescue and relocation of Boogie to a sanctuary where he can receive proper care and socialization. The case of Boogie highlights the challenges faced by animals in roadside zoos in Ontario and the urgent need for improved regulations to protect captive wildlife from suffering and neglect. Animal welfare advocates are calling on the government to prioritize the well-being of animals and ensure that they are not subjected to conditions that cause distress and harm.
