Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 20, 1994 TAG: 9412210053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
John Kinsella, an enforcement supervisor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the investigation into Karl Mogensen's activities was closed this fall.
"The final decision was made that there were technicalities the attorneys didn't feel [were] worth pursuing ... considering the resources available to the USDA for things like this," Kinsella said.
The agency, which regulates zoos and exotic-animal dealers, suspended Mogensen's license to operate the Rockbridge County zoo in October 1993 for repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act. He was not allowed to sell or transport animals covered by his license.
His license was reissued last spring.
The USDA was investigating information gathered from state records that Mogensen transported a camel to Indiana and a caracal lynx - an African wildcat - to Florida shortly after his license was suspended.
Kinsella said the camel appeared to be a legitimate loan for breeding purposes, and that "a lot of arrangements and obligations" involving the cat had been made prior to the suspension.
The Natural Bridge Zoo, now in its 23rd year, closes for the winter months. Mogensen has refused comment to the Roanoke Times & World-News since the newspaper reported his suspension.
Reports from the USDA inspector, who made at least five visits to the zoo this year, list several violations, most for not fixing enclosures and not keeping proper records. A chief condition of Mogensen's license - to raise the perimeter fence from about 7 feet to 8 feet - was partially complete in June.
The latest inspection report, dated Sept. 6, said all standards were met.
by CNB