24 suffering wild animals evacuated from the former animal park in Montredon-Labessonnié, in Tarn

The state service removed these animals after observing serious violations of animal welfare regulations, including dangerous cages, inappropriate diets and a lack of veterinary supervision.

The state did so this Tuesday “office trip” of 24 wild animals “in a state of suffering” in the former cat park Les Trois Vallées, located in Montredon-Labessonnié (Tarn), the prefecture of Tarn announced this Tuesday in a press release. A tigress, two wolves, an otter, a caracal and 19 raccoons were evacuated to other approved locations.

The press release talks about a “serious situation for animals on site”. After a surprise inspection of the site on 2 September, Tarn prefect Simon Bertoux took action on 9 September, “very”an administrative closure order for the premises and a formal notification order imposing emergency outdoor placement of animals.

During the inspection, “These findings reveal a loss of control over animal holding conditions”define a press release. According to this inspection report, emergency intervention was required because “Massive failures in day-to-day management seriously endanger the welfare of animals on site” : cages that are dangerous for the animal (presence of sharp and blunt objects, etc.), lack of regular maintenance of the cage, rations inappropriate in quantity and composition, stale food, absence of a health veterinarian, absence of clinical monitoring of animals, absence of medical care, absence of a disease surveillance and prevention plan, details the press release from the prefecture.

Around thirty professionals, state agents (inspectors from the Directorate of Employment, Labor, Solidarity and Population Protection (DDETSPP), agents from the French Tarn Biodiversity Office, the national gendarmerie), health veterinarians, Tarn firefighters, specialized animal transport companies, as well as the structures that now receive these animals, were mobilized during the operation. “to ensure the health, welfare and protection of animals”shows the press release. The animals were moved to four breeding locations, in consultation with the Ministry of Ecological Transition, thanks to support from the assistance service for confiscated wild animals (SAASS), created by the French association of zoological parks.

Prefect Tarn invited the operator to calm down so that he could ensure, in accordance with the prefecture’s decision, the placement of all remaining animals on site. If it fails, another automatic placement operation will be set.