"Tampa's Zoo Advocates" recognizes the need for a positive work environment. As numerous members of our group are current or former employees of our community's Zoo, we truly believe that we have a realistic perspective regarding the staff and visitor welfare issues that need to be addressed.
Former Employee Files a Civil Lawsuit Against Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: Animal Keeper Reported the Unsafe Handling of Animals and was Terminated. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper.
The Hillsborough County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division is the government organization in charge of upholding food safety standards within Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo's restaurants and food stands. This organization also issues the permits required to operate food establishments within the zoo.
The Hillsborough County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division issues these permits and upholds the food safety standards by conducting site inspections of each restaurant/food stand.
"Tampa's Zoo Advocates" has obtained copies of official records illustrating serious violations within the Zoo's food service operations. These significant violations directly have and continue to effect the welfare of the visitors and staff of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Violations were documented in each of the Zoo's 4 main restaurants: The Garden Grille, Paradise Cafe, Grub and Grog and Cracker Shack.
The time period for the following Inspection Reports date from 2002 to Present.
The following documents include violations such as:
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Having operated 2 Restaurants and 3 Food Stands without the required permits or prior inspections
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A "Foodborne Illness Outbreak" investigation and confirmation.
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Numerous "Unsatisfactory" inspections reports.
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2 "Stop Sale Notices" issued for improper food temperature violations.
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Numerous "sanitary" violations, such as an employee with dirt under their fingernails
and a cut on their hand serving food, without wearing required gloves.
Permit Violation
Foodborne Illness Letter
Foodborne Illness Report
Foodborne Illness Page 2
Foodborne Illness Page 3
Foodborne Illness Page 4
Foodborne Illness Page 5
Foodborne Illness Page 6
Foodborne Illness Page 7
Foodborne Illness Page 8
Foodborne Illness Page 9
Cracker Shack Page 1
Cracker Shack Page 2
Cracker Shack Page 3
Garden Grille Page 1
Garden Grille Page 1a
Garden Grille Page 2
Garden Grille Page 2a
Grub and Grog Page 1
Grub and Grog Page 2
Grub and Grog Page 3
Grub and Grog Page 4
Paradise Cafe Page 1
Paradise Cafe Page 2
Paradise Cafe Page 3
The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is the governing body most directly responsible for the standards to which Zoo's are held accountable.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates has obtained several official USDA Inspection Reports that found serious infractions at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo in 2005 and 2006.
These reported infractions involve such serious issues as "Handling of Animals", "Employee Training", "Primary Animal Enclosures" and "Facilities, General".
Infractions such as the ones detailed in the following USDA Inspection Reports directly affect the welfare of the animals, staff and visitors of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Tampa's Zoo Advocates will be presenting additional USDA Inspection Reports as they become available.
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We encourage you to become an advocate for positive change within Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo by sharing these important issues with the media in your community.
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