Jamaica Zoo was thrust into the spotlight just over a week ago after a viral video showed a worker being bitten by a lion.
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Paul Fearon, operator of Jamaica Zoo Attractions
The operator of Jamaica Zoo Attractions in St. Elizabeth has disclosed that the facility was inspected by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) a few weeks before the incident involving a lion at the facility.
The zoo was thrust into the spotlight just over a week ago after a viral video showed a worker being bitten by the animal.
During an inspection following the incident, NEPA said it identified breaches of the regulatory instruments issued to Jamaica Zoo Attractions and it was preparing a report on its findings to determine the final action to be taken.
However, Paul Fearon, the operator of Jamaica Zoo Attractions, says the facility had been given the all-clear just weeks earlier during a previous NEPA inspection.
He says one of the permits was even renewed by NEPA.
But with the agency's new position that one of the regulatory instruments was breached, Mr. Fearon was asked in an interview whether he feared Jamaica Zoo Attractions could be shut down.
"No, because I don't do anything for that," he responded. "The next step, I don't know [but] I know I'm operating."
Mr. Fearon, who was speaking Monday with TVJ's Smile Jamaica hosts Neville Bell and Simone Clarke Cooper, said he was not aware that he needed a licence to operate as an attraction.
According to the Gleaner, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) said it tried without success to have Jamaica Zoo Attractions obtain a Jamaica Tourist Board attraction licence, due to its failure to meet regulatory requirements and public liability insurance.
Regarding what was captured on video, Mr. Fearon said taunting the lion is not part of the training of workers at Jamaica Zoo Attractions.
The zoo worker had repeatedly pushed his finger through a fence separating himself and the lion, as the animal growled furiously before snatching his finger.
Mr. Fearon said the employee in the video acted recklessly but he insisted what took place was "an unfortunate situation" because the man is a "good worker, dedicated and reliable".
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