Philip Mcleod

The McLeod Report - London, Ontario

A regular commentary on civic affairs in London, Canada by journalist Philip McLeod.

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Quote of the Day

'Construction on Eldon House began 180 years ago this year. It's time to set Eldon House free -- it;s old enough'

Long-time Museum London supporter and Eldon House volunteer Nancy Poole on the decision by a city council committee to create a separate board for London's oldest residence.


 


Civic Calendar

  • TUESDAY, MAY 22
    City Council
    5 p.m., Council Chamber (3rd floor access), City Hall, 300 Dufferin Ave. Public welcome. More info 519-661-4500. Agenda here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  • THURSDAY, APRIL 5
    Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
    4 p.m., Committee Room #4 (2nd floor), City Hall, 300 Dufferin Ave. Public welcome. More info 519-661-4500. http://london.ca

London, Ontario - The McLeod Report - Philip McLeod

Council votes to move the animals

LONDON (Jan. 31) – The final chapter of wild animals at Storybook Gardens is about to be written – somewhere else. City council has concurred with a staff recommendation to transfer the seals, otters, raptors, beavers and lynx to animal shelters and zoos somewhere else.

Although wild animals have been part of Storybook’s draw for more than 50 years – the caper of a sea lion named Slippery that escaped and swam to Ohio is legendary – the conditions in which they have been housed are not adequate by today’s standards.

The four seals are now bound for the St. Louis zoo, the lynx to the PAWS Wildlife Sanctuary in California, the otter and beavers to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rousseau, ON, and the raptors to the Sandy Pines Wildlife Sanctuary in Nepean, ON.

Council approved a recommendation from its community services committee, whose members were somewhat torn on the move.

“There are all kinds of things we can do at Storybook Gardens without having live animals there,” sand Councillor Nancy Branscombe.

Councillor Bill Armstrong: “We’re not living in the past, we’re living in today’s world. The quality of life will be much better for these animals.”

Councillor Dale Henderson: “We’ve had seals here for 60 years. To ship them away is fine for the seal, but we want a tourist attraction here, we want jobs here. How much would it cost? If we take the animals away, who knows what will happen.”

The seals will be in St. Louis in time for the opening of the new zoo in April.