Traveling Petting Zoo Prompts Protest

JEFFERSON, N.C. – A traveling petting zoo is attracting criticism from animal advocates who say they’re worried about the condition of the exotic animals kept in cages. The zoo, called Jungle Safari, set up on Main Street in Jefferson on Wednesday. A woman sent WCCB videos and pictures, and says the kangaroo didn’t move for two days. She described it as “in rough shape.” She claims the tiger was “drugged, stressed,” and the camel “injured.”

We took her complaints to the owner of the Jungle Safari petting zoo. WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty asked him if the animals are ever sedated. “Absolutely not. The only time any of the animals are every under any type of sedation is when they have a medical procedure, and that’s done by a vet,” says Robert Engesser.

Engesser says it’s normal for the animals to be asleep in the middle of the afternoon. He says the roughly 18 or 19 animals on the road with him now are properly licensed, regulated, and taken care of. He is an animal lover, he says, and his business lets families see animals they might otherwise never get the chance to.

Engesser says, “The animals aren’t doing tricks, they’re not jumping through hoops, they’re simply hand-raised animals that we’ve dealt with from little ones up. They know us. They’re socialized with us. They’ve been around people.”

WCCB checked with Ashe County officials, and the Director of Planning tells WCCB several county departments have been to the traveling zoo to ensure compliance, specifically, the Fire Marshal, Chief Building Inspector and also Animal Control. They reportedly “…have not found any violations…” A Jefferson town employee also tells WCCB that the zoo obtained the necessary permit to set up.

Ashe County doesn’t allow people to keep exotic animals, but there is an exemption for circuses, petting zoos and other traveling animal exhibits. Animal advocates plan to protest Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM across the street from the petting zoo.

The petting zoo owner says they’re scheduled to leave town Sunday.