DETROIT, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The Detroit Zoo may soon be home to several exotic animals that were seized from an animal dealer in Arlington, Texas, amid allegations of abuse.
The Free Press said six Detroit Zoo curators and supervisors are already helping care for the animals, offering hope that a number of agoutis, allabies, lemur, sloths and other exotic animals could soon call the facility home.
Detroit Zoo spokeswoman Patricia Janeway said if the zoo is allowed to take in several of the rescued animals, the additions would initially be placed in quarantine before being introduced into their new habitats.
A municipal judge in Arlington, Texas, ruled last week the 27,000 animals seized from U.S. Global Exotics will not be returned to the international exotic animal dealer.
The animals were seized after a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals investigation determined the animals were not being provided with necessary care or being offered appropriate conditions by the animal dealer.
U.S. Global Exotics can appeal the ruling, but if the decision stands the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas will find new homes for the animals.
