Owner declaring his zoo a religion | Canada | News | Winnipeg Sun

CALGARY - The animals aren't lining up two-by-two, but an embattled Alberta zoo may soon undergo a religious experience.

Lynn Gustafson, longtime owner of GuZoo near Three Hills, about 140 km northeast of Calgary, is calling his property a "house of parsons" and wants it granted religious society status.

Gustafson's attraction had its licence revoked by the province last week following a list of problems cited by an independent review of the facility.

The zoo was granted a seven-day permit to make decommissioning plans, but that was later extended two days by the province.

Gustafson this week locked down his property and vowed to invoke the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Prior to that, he entertained offers from taxidermists for his exotic animals and considered asking for a new licence on the condition he make facility improvements.

On Wednesday, he filled out a declaration of incorporation of a religious society, a designation which he says would help defend his animals.

His daughter-in-law, Irene Gustafson, said the application is to make he zoo into a sanctuary of worship for the protection of animals.

However, if this doesn't work, the family will continue fighting, she said.

"There is a plan B and it would most likely involve lawyers," said Irene.

Sharon Lopatka of Service Alberta said religious societies are not required to be incorporated, but often choose to be when land is involved.

"In order for a religious society to hold and deal with real and personal property, such as taking title to land for the site of a church building, they may choose to incorporate," she said.

She said along with the paperwork, an applicant must sign an affidavit to verify the information was passed at a properly constituted meeting of the group's congregation.

Meantime, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development is carrying on with business as usual, saying it won't stop decommissioning the zoo because of the latest action.

"It really has no bearing on our decommission order," said spokesman Dave Ealey. "He can call it what he wishes, but it's still captive animals that need to be properly managed."

Ealey expects the actual decommissioning process to begin Friday and take about 60 days.

jenna.mcmurray@sunmedia.ca

-With files by Kathy Mueller

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Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/2011/06/09/owner-declaring-his-zoo-a-religion

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