Reston Zoo Owner Responds to Recent Allegations with Open Letter

Eric Mogensen, CEO of the Reston Zoo, as well as the Virginia Safari Park Natural Bridge Zoo and the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, responded to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture allegations in an open letter on the Gulf Breeze Zoo’s website.

The NFW Daily News reported earlier this week the USDA charged Mogensen and his daughter, Meghan, who also works for the family’s three roadside zoos, with numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act. However, Eric Mogensen asserted the violations were minor and have since been resolved.

“All (issues) were corrected immediately,” Mogensen said in his open letter. “We contest cited issues when we believe they are inaccurate. The zoo has no outstanding violations.

“The staff at the Gulf Breeze Zoo cares deeply about our animals. There have been no signs of any animal abuse, and there won’t be.”

In 2012, Meghan Mogensen was convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to 30 days in jail after she euthanized a sick wallaby by drowning him in a bucket, according to the Washington Post. She was later transferred to the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

“The staff at the Gulf Breeze Zoo cares deeply about our animals,” Mogensen wrote. “Our keepers, as well as staff in other departments, take their jobs seriously and always strive to do their best.”