TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The city of Topeka plans to appeal U.S. Department of Agriculture findings concerning care of two elephants at the Topeka Zoo.
After an inspection in August, the USDA cited the zoo for violating the Animal Welfare Act.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the specific violations won’t be made public until after the appeal process is completed.
The city’s announcement comes the same week the zoo received a five-year accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
City manager Jim Colson says the city “respectfully disagrees” with the USDA inspector’s findings. He says receiving accreditation shows the zoo has animal care programs that are among the best in the country.
