Zebras seized by Sask. conservation officers now officially belong to Saskatoon zoo

Five zebras seized from a rural property near Candiac, Sask. are now the sole responsibility of the City of Saskatoon.

Five zebras seized from a rural property near Candiac, Sask. are now the sole responsibility of the City of Saskatoon.

Saskatoon’s Forestry Farm zoo has been providing care to the animals since provincial conservation officers seized them from Nicholas Hazell in June 2023. Hazell was charged with several wildlife offences, including importing, possessing and holding the zebras captive without required licences.

The Saskatchewan government was reimbursing the Forestry Farm for the daily care and boarding of the animals, and in October, it committed $120,000 to build a winter habitat for them.

Now that Hazell’s charges have made their way through court, and the province’s reimbursement agreement has concluded, the government has “gifted” the animals to the forestry farm.

A city administration report before this Wednesday’s planning and development committee says ownership and title — and any future liability for the zebras — was officially transferred from the Crown to the City of Saskatoon as of March 31.

In a news release on Tuesday, the city’s zoo manager said he was excited by the news.

“Our team has done such an incredible job working with the zebras since they came into our care,” said Jeff Mitchell. “We are excited for the community to come out and learn more about these magnificent animals.”