The embattled Bowmanville zoo's promotion for a star-powered fundraiser this weekend apparently featuring Canadian pop star Justin Bieber's family was suddenly derailed on Wednesday after his father denied any involvement in the event.
The exotic animal zoo, which has seen its share of controversy this year, is expected to shut its doors at the end of the season, after allegations of animal mistreatment by the former director led to a dramatic drop in attendance this year. (Michael Hackenberger denied his guilt via the zoo's Facebook page soon after charges were laid but resigned anyhow, stating "the welfare of the zoo and the animals that it serves has always been my principal concern.)
Early on Wednesday, the zoo announced on its Facebook page and website on that Justin Bieber's "family" would be taking part in an all-day fundraiser this Sunday to raise money to "keep the animals fed, happy and healthy while we search for new homes for all of them." Tickets were priced at $295 each and a zoo spokesman said it would include a "meet and greet" with the superstar.
"I can confirm Justin will be at the zoo on Sunday," said zoo spokesman Angus Carroll.
A note on the zoo's website early on Wednesday stated: "Over the last few months, Justin Bieber and his family have met some of our amazing animals . . . We are delighted to announce that the Bieber Family will be attending the Bowmanville Zoo fundraiser . . . with the goal of raising money for the successful rehoming of our animals."
But by the afternoon, the plans had dramatically changed. Carroll told the Star that the superstar "may or may (not) attend with his family." And at around 4 p.m., Bieber's father Jeremy denied the family's involvement in the event via Twitter.
"My family is in no way affiliated or supports any zoo. Nor are we apart of or the host of any fundraiser," he stated.
Neither he nor Bieber's publicist responded to a request for comment.
After deleting the original Facebook announcement about the event, the zoo updated its Facebook late Wednesday with a note stating that a fundraiser would still take place.
"We will continue hosting our event as planned to raise funds for our animals and we hope to see many of the celebrities we've invited, including the Bieber family, though there are no guarantees at this time," said the release. "This is very unfortunate for the animals of the zoo, but we remain optimistic that we will still be able to raise the much-needed money for our animals."
The zoo added that all tickets sold Wednesday had already been refunded.
Carroll said the event is "meant to raise money to help place the animals at other facilities." A zoo spokesman said it costs $50,000 a month just to feed and house the animals.
The zoo, which is home to tigers, giraffes, and other exotic animals, announced its closure earlier this year after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a video which appeared to show former owner Michael Hackenberger whipping a tiger during a training session.
In April of this year, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged Hackenberger with four counts of causing an animal distress and one of failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care for an animal. The case is currently before the courts; none of the allegations have been proven in court.
Carroll said while the zoo saw a spike in attendance numbers early in the summer, it still expects to "close at the end of the season."
In July, the city of Toronto issued a warning letter to Bieber informing him that it was illegal for exotic wild cats to enter the city's limits, after he posted images of himself with lions and tigers on his social media accounts this year. The Bowmanville Zoo, which lent out the lions to Bieber, also received a warning letter.
Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, says she hopes the money raised on Sunday ends up in the "right hands."
"Various accredited sanctuaries have offered to retire these animals, and we hope that for once, the Bowmanville Zoo will do the right thing," she said.
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