Many of those who lined up to say goodbye to the lions, giraffes and lemurs at the Bowmanville Zoo said they were saddened to see the nearly century-old institution shut its doors.
“I’ve been coming here for years,” said a woman named Kim who would only give her last name. “It’s a great place for kids and families to come.”
Meanwhile, a handful of animal rights protesters gathered across from the entrance holding up signs with slogans like “good riddance.”
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had long been pressuring the zoo to close. The animal rights group released undercover footage last December that appeared to show a tiger being whipped.
The zoo’s owner had earlier drawn criticism for cursing an uncooperative baboon that he was trying to make ride a miniature horse live on television.
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals filed charges against the zoo’s owner in April. The owner has denied the allegations, which have not been proven in court.
In June, the zoo announced it would close because attendance had fallen “catastrophically.”
The zoo posted on Facebook, Sunday that it is “thankful for our loyal supporters and followers who have stood with us through thick and thin.”
The post stated the zoo would not charge admission on its final day, but would take “voluntary donations at the gate to fund the relocation and rehoming of the animals.”
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV Toronto
