Reading and Media Resources

A veterinarian and an animal protection organization have filed an Endangered Species Act (ESA) citizen suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center & Sanctuary (“Noah’s Ark”), a roadside zoo in central Georgia, for allegedly failing to care for tigers, parrots, primates, and other protected species. Plaintiffs Dr. Karen Thomas, who formerly worked for Noah’s Ark, and Ohio-based Outreach for Animals, allege that Noah’s Ark and its leadership have violated the ESA by denying protected species adequate veterinary care, forcing protected species to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, failing to protect ESA-listed animals during an outbreak of transmissible avian influenza that killed hundreds of birds on the property, denying animals adequate nutrition, failing to adequately staff the facility to provide proper care for animals, and by physically abusing at least one primate and denying him follow-up veterinary care. Plaintiffs are represented by Richard Schrade, with the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic’s Carney Anne Nasser serving as a consulting expert. Plaintiffs are seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief and have secured placement for the ESA-protected animals at reputable sanctuaries.

[To accompany Case Law Update "Georgia Roadside Zoo Faces ESA Citizen Suit for Alleged Abuse and Neglect of Protected Species” from Brooks Animal Law Digest Issue No. 193]