A landmark investigative documentary by the television program Enquête reveals significant and systemic animal welfare violations in roadside zoos across Quebec. The documentary, which aired February 26 on Radio-Canada, features exclusive footage of zoo rescue operations, two of which were facilitated by Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society International) and a testimony from a former employee.
As revealed in the investigation, Quebec’s current regulatory framework fails to meaningfully restrict roadside zoos and other unethical animal display facilities. By not requiring rigorous standards for the sourcing, care, housing and security of captive wild animals, the province allows irresponsible operators to profit from animal suffering. These gaps in oversight also pose serious public safety risks, particularly where wild animals are kept in inadequate facilities and exposed to direct public interaction.
Humane World for Animals Canada is urging the Quebec government to take urgent action to improve provincial regulations to protect animals kept in captivity for entertainment, and to enact an immediate moratorium on permitting new roadside zoos.
As depicted in Enquête’s investigation, wild animals in roadside zoos are commonly confined to small, barren enclosures, with insufficient space to move and a lack of proper veterinary care, nutrition and environmental enrichment. Many of these operations are also linked to unethical and dangerous activities.In recent years, Humane World for Animals Canada has repeatedly intervened to rescue more than 250 animals—including lions, tigers, bears, wolves, zebras and kangaroos—from roadside zoos in Quebec.
“Enquête’s investigation clearly demonstrated that Quebec’s outdated regulations are failing animals and allowing serious suffering to continue in roadside zoos. The government must act now by immediately suspending permits for unaccredited zoos and putting strong, enforceable protections in place for captive wild animals,” said Ewa Demianowicz, program director for Humane World for Animals Canada. “We have been raising these concerns for years—the situation is urgent, and Quebec can no longer delay. It’s time to bring captive wildlife policy in line with public expectations and modern science.”
The investigative documentary exposed the consequences of this regulatory failure. In 2019, a Quebec roadside zoo owner was charged with criminal neglect and animal cruelty, leading to the seizure of more than 250 animals by the Montreal SPCA. Humane World for Animals Canada played a key role in supporting the care, treatment and rehoming of the majority of those animals. Despite this intervention, a second zoo was later permitted to continue operating in the same facility and declared bankruptcy in 2023. Humane World for Animals Canada again stepped in, rescuing seven remaining lions and working with leading North American sanctuaries to secure both temporary and permanent homes for them.
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