Medicine Hat Media

The Guzoo Animal Farm Experience

There has been a lot of talk circulating around Twitter and Facebook lately regarding the mistreatment of animals at the Guzoo Zoo in Three Hills, Alberta.

Bengal Tiger. Photo by Nic Burgess

Bengal Tiger. Photo by Nic Burgess

Guzoo describes itself as being a wonderful idea by a silly man and has been in operation since 1990. Guzoo claims itself to be an animal sanctuary, but recently, there has been a public uproar that focuses around the habitat in which the animals are kept. The Guzoo website cites that many animals, including lions and tigers, cope well with (and even like) winter conditions, but that many of them are kept inside during the winter season and only let out during chinook weather. Even so, there is something that does not seem quite right about seeing a Bengal Tiger sitting in a tiny snow covered cage that is devoid of any trees or grass. Along with this, Guzoo’s website asks for sympathy for its Zookeepers, who apparently have it worse than the animals in winter:

Don’t feel bad for the animals in the winter, they are much better suited to tolerate the cold temperatures then you might think.  Instead, give our poor zoo keepers some sympathy.  Regardless of the weather conditions, they must trample through snow, struggle with frozen locks, numb fingers and fight with the feed tractor which often chooses not to start on the REALLY cold days. Having to dress in layer upon layer of clothing makes movement all that more laborious.  Shoveling snow out of gates and walkways, making necessary repairs to damage caused by board breaking winter winds, and trekking out into the various pastures to check that the automatic waterers have not froze up, are just some of the hardships of winter  Believe me; the winter is harder on the humans at the zoo than the animals.
From Guzoo in Winter

Barbary Macaque (Endangered) by Nic Burgess

Barbary Macaque (Endangered) by Nic Burgess

Other reported mistreatments include bad water dishes for the animals, injured animals, over abundance of animal feces, garbage within enclosures, dangerous objects within enclosures,  food seemingly thrown over the fence for the animals to pick at, extremely small living conditions and exposing the animals to frigid temperatures for which they are not accustomed to. Much of what I have found on the Internet describes how many of the animals in winter do not have heated water dishes for winter and as a result of the water freezing, resort to eating snow.

Another topic of discussion is that Guzoo apparently does not do much to help animals that are hurt or get into fights, and how animals that are killed are not cleaned up or dealt with, but rather, the corpses simply stay there for the duration of the season.

Many additional reports can be found by Googling “Guzzo Animal Farm” including:

I have also found a video of the poor conditions at Guzoo, which can be viewed below:

User Comments

12 Responses to “The Guzoo Animal Farm Experience”

  1. March 28th, 2011 at 6:49 PM


    Vaughn says:

    I agree that this is terrible, and there’s even more terrible visuals in the group photo pages, but that leaves one question:

    If this place gets shut down, what happens to the animals?

    A prudent question considering the owner released the following statement: “That lion is worth $10,000 to taxidermy, and if that’s what these people want — that’s what they’ll get…”

    http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110328/edm_guzoo_110328/20110328/?hub=CalgaryHome

  2. March 29th, 2011 at 12:29 AM


    Sandy Heldt says:

    These conditions are deplorable and the animals should be rescued

  3. March 29th, 2011 at 3:29 AM


    Justine says:

    http://brokenha1o.redbubble.com/ The famous Nic Pictures….. Could they be REAL?

    Is it possible he is part of a Hate Group? Just questions

  4. March 29th, 2011 at 7:59 AM


    B says:

    I’m sure feeding rabbits FREAKING CROUTONS is ‘doing nothing wrong!’ This owner has NO IDEA what to feed its animals! The owner should be left out in the freaking cold!

  5. March 29th, 2011 at 8:00 AM


    Vaughn says:

    The problem what that theory is there is hundreds of other pictures and videos by different people to support Nic’s pictures.

  6. March 29th, 2011 at 2:14 PM


    Joel says:

    “That lion is worth $10,000 to taxidermy, and if that’s what these people want — that’s what they’ll get…”

    So now the man threatens to kill off the animals if he isn’t allowed to keep them.

    Seriously, why does it have to be “his way or the highway?”. Could these animals be removed forcibly, placed into proper sanctuaries without his jackass arrogance around playing by his rules?

  7. March 29th, 2011 at 2:36 PM


    Dusty Melling says:

    They should be given to the Calgary zoo for free. (does it work that way?)

  8. April 22nd, 2011 at 1:16 PM


    Member of the Group says:

    There are a whole host of animal sanctuaries that have been lined up to take the Guzoo’s animals, free of charge should the place be shut down. A lot of people on a facebook group support the closure of the Guzoo have worked very hard to secure alternate arrangement to Mr. G killing them. As for Nik’s photos, yes he is a photo manipulation artist. His 20 pictures can’t compete with 1200 taken by anyone but him. That argument is getting old. It deflects from the real issue, which is the lack of care of these animals.

  9. June 10th, 2011 at 5:05 PM


    Leah says:

    Any questions you have on Guzoo and what is being done to help re home these animals visit http://www.caawps.ca

  10. June 10th, 2011 at 5:10 PM


    Leah says:

    To add onto my previous post, be sure to use the take action button and send emails and sign the new petition to Stop the GuZoo Taxidermy Slaughter, it is super quick and easy!

  11. September 4th, 2012 at 3:27 PM


    copernic says:

    I was at this so call zoo ,2 days ago ,and it is pityful to see those poor animal pacing endlessly in their cages .How much longer this suffering will continue before they close it for good .How come school teacher bring kids over there .???Are they blind ,,they don’t have any ampathy,at all ??No more business ,and it will close by itself .Stupide buraucraty this place should be close for 20 years already .,when it was a fur farm @@?@@
    They don’t have a clue about animal behavior !! and welfare
    i enrage and i cry

  12. May 25th, 2023 at 1:29 AM


    Sonata says:

    The Guzoo Animal Farm experience took me on a surreal journey where enchantment and wonder filled every moment. As I wandered through lush landscapes, I had the opportunity to encounter a vast array of exotic creatures up close. Immersing myself in their world, I forged unforgettable connections that left me in awe of the remarkable beauty and diversity within the animal kingdom.

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