Southeastern B.C. is no place for two full grown cheetahs, says the Environmental Appeal Board.
The decision comes after a lengthy review that determined the cats will not be returned to their previous owners, who had wanted to use them as “ambassador” animals promoting conservation of the endangered species.
Earl Pfeifer and his partner Carol Plato originally lost possession of the cats in 2015 when the one cheetah managed to escape its pen in Crawford Bay, north of Creston.
The couple applied unsuccessfully for a permit to keep the seven-year-old cats, known as Robin and Annie, following the incident and then appealed that denied permit.
However, in a 37-page decision, the appeal board says the couple have not offered any special circumstances that would allow the province to override legislation written in 2007 after a captive tiger fatally mauled a woman at a zoo-like attraction near Williams Lake.
“Of particular concern is the evidence regarding Annie’s escape (in Crawford Bay) in December 2015. This reflects on the appellant’s abilities as a handler, although the panel accepts that this incident raises more issues than simply handling expertise,” states the report.
Without the permits, the cats remain in Ontario for the time being.
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