AR-News: Turn Greater Vancouver Zoo into sanctuary

[Barry Kent MacKay]

For Immediate Release

August 7, 2003

 

"TURN TINA'S ZOO INTO SANCTUARY" SAYS REPORT
Greater Vancouver Zoo should become home for native animals unable to live
in wild, say Vancouver Humane Society and Zoocheck Canada

 

The Greater Vancouver Zoo, which held Tina the elephant for more than 30
years, must stop keeping exotic animals for public entertainment  and become
a sanctuary for indigenous animals that cannot be released into the wild,
says a report published today by the Vancouver Humane Society and Zoocheck
Canada.

 

The report says the zoo should stop breeding animals or buying new ones and
accommodate only native species.  Existing exotic species, such as lions,
rhinos and giraffes, should not be replaced when they die, with the extra
space being used to create better conditions for remaining animals, says the
report.

 

"The Greater Vancouver Zoo, in its current form, is outdated and provides
little education or conservation value.  By phasing out the exotic animal
displays and moving toward becoming a sanctuary for native wildlife, the zoo
will be providing an essential service to both the community and animals,"
says Julie Woodyer, Campaign Coordinator at Zoocheck Canada.

 

The report criticizes the zoo's operations to date, detailing unkept
promises to improve the animals' conditions - including those of Tina's.  It
lists a number of interim measures that should be taken to improve the
environment for the existing species held by the zoo.  These include more
space and the introduction of environmental and behavioural "enrichment"
programs to provide stimulation and to encourage natural behaviours.

 

Peter Fricker, Campaigns and Communications Coordinator for the Vancouver
Humane Society said: "The zoo's record speaks for itself.  Tina should never
have spent 30 years in such poor conditions.  Now Tina is free, but what
about the other animals?  We don't want them to go through what Tina went
through."

 

CONTACT:

Peter Fricker, Campaigns and Communications Coordinator, Vancouver Humane
Society: 604-266-9744, Cell 604-603-5401

Julie Woodyer, Campaign Coordinator, Zoocheck Canada: Cell: 416-451-5976

 
__________________________________

Barry Kent MacKay
Senior Programme Coordinator: Canada
Animal Protection Institute 
www.api4animals.org