USDA renews zoo license

The Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo has regained its license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which city officials plan to announce next week.

Tanya Espinosa with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed Thursday the zoo had its licensed reinstated last week.

The zoo lost its exhibit license on May 6 after its staff failed to provide a complete renewal application to the USDA, but the department didn't require the zoo to close.

Zoo Director Joe Clawson said the zoo provided the missing paperwork the next day.

The zoo had authority to continue operating while waiting on its license renewal, Espinosa said.

Monroe Mayo Jamie Mayo said the city received notification from the USDA about its license but plans to make an official announcement Monday.

On Thursday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation fired off communications to the media and USDA to investigate the zoo after a patron expressed concerns to PETA.

According to PETA, a patron visited the zoo in August and said a bear was found with thickly matted hair, panting heavily and appeared to have trouble walking. Other animals were left with no access to food and shelter from the sun. The patron also noticed food was contaminated with flies and animal waste.

Allegedly there was a dead quail inside a quail exhibit.

Mayo declined to comment on the allegations from PETA.

"The Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo received from the USDA a list of items that needed to be address in order for the zoo to be in compliance. None of which had to do with the treatment of animals. These items dealt with the facilities and maintenance. Not only have we addressed them, but we have exceeded those items which were listed," Clawson said.

PETA has repeatedly called on USDA to investigate allegations of mistreatment of animals.

"It's illegal to operate without a license and to leave animals in filthy enclosures with no shelter from the sweltering August sun," said PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders. "PETA is calling on authorities to crack down on this despicable roadside zoo and hold it accountable for every single violation of federal law it has committed."

Clawson responded to PETA's complaints, saying the bear has a pool, flowing water and shaded areas.

"She chose to be in the sun at the particular time this person took pictures. Furthermore, she was simply shedding her coat. The same as all bears do in nature. She had scratching posts to use if she chooses (just as bears have trees in nature to use, if they so choose). In order for us to manually shave the bear, it would require heavy sedation, which could be detrimental to the bear's health during the summer heat," Clawson said.

He said fresh refrigerated fish are served to the zoo's birds every morning. They are fed outside, and that will naturally attract flies, but the fish are not left out to rot, Clawson said.

In response to allegations of the dead quail, Clawson said, "Animals dying is an unfortunate part of nature. The quail was removed as soon as the animal keeper noticed it that morning. The animal keepers conduct a daily walk through the entire facility, beginning with the dangerous animals first, and then so on. These birds are some of the least dangerous, so it is natural that it might be discovered toward the latter end of the keepers' walk through."

PETA said it would forward complaints to the USDA.

Whenever USDA receives a complaint, the agency determines if any violation of the Animal and Welfare Act occurred.

If violations have occurred, USDA could issue a warning, fines or send the case to a federal judge who could impose more fines, suspend or revoke the zoo's license.

Clawson said PETA is encouraging people who have never visited the zoo to write to the USDA to complain about the zoo's condition. Instead, he encourages those who have been to the zoo to write letters relaying their experiences.

Clawson said PETA is fundamentally opposed to zoos.

"PETA has an agenda — to stop the use of animals, period," he said. "We're not the roadside hell hole that they want to portray us to be."

Follow Scott Rogers on Twitter @lscottrogers.