Zoo Owner Who Fed Sick Dead Camel to Predators... Suspended Prison Sentence and 3 Million Won Fine

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A zoo operator who was prosecuted for cutting up a sick camel and using it as food for carnivorous animals was sentenced to a suspended prison term and a fine.

According to the Daegu District Court on the 21st, recently, Judge Kim Ok-hee of the Western Branch Criminal Division 5 sentenced Kim (in his 50s), a zoo operator charged with giving a dead camel from one zoo as food for carnivorous animals at another zoo (violation of the Animal Protection Act, etc.), to one year in prison with a two-year suspension and a fine of 3 million won. He was also ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.

This case has attracted attention as it is the first instance of a zoo operator standing trial for animal abuse and related charges.

The zoo, which was also charged with violating the Act on the Management of Zoos and Aquariums, was fined 3 million won.

Kim is accused of not treating a camel that developed a tumor in February 2020, allowing it to die, then arbitrarily dismembering it and giving it as food to animals at another zoo he operates.

The zoo, which opened in 2019 and housed about 50 species of animals, closed two years ago citing COVID-19. Last year, it became controversial after it was revealed that animals were neglected in enclosures filled with filth without food or water supply.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.