
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 21, 1994                   TAG: 9407210100
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NATURAL BRIDGE ZOO OWNER MAY HAVE SOLD ANIMALS

Natural Bridge Zoo owner Karl Mogensen could be charged with selling or transporting exotic animals in violation of his license suspension, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official said.

John Kinsella, sector supervisor of regulatory enforcement for the USDA, said Wednesday that an investigation into the alleged violations has been completed.

"There are some pretty convincing documents in there that there were animals traded ...," Kinsella said. He recommended the case be sent to the agency's legal department, which has the authority to issue fines and complaint orders.

Mogensen's license was suspended last October for repeated violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. After Mogensen corrected problems at the zoo, the USDA conducted an on-site inspection and reissued his license this spring.

Under the terms of his suspension, Mogensen was not allowed to sell or transport animals regulated by the license. State records indicate he transported a camel to Indiana on Nov. 2, and a caracal lynx - an African wildcat - to Florida on Dec. 22.

The cat was flown to Jim Anderson in Florida, according to the health certificate filed with the state's veterinary office. In an interview earlier this year, Anderson said he paid $1,200 for the cat.

Kinsella said investigators checked into the two incidents, gathered documentation and talked to the dealers involved, including Mogensen.

Mogensen refused to comment Wednesday.

by CNB