AR-News: (US-tx)Council panel seeking tiger-exhibit ordinance

[Animalconcerns]

Tilman Fertitta will have white tigers at his Downtown Aquarium in time
for Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in Houston if the City Council
amends its exotic animal ordinance.

The council's Regulation, Planning and Development Committee asked the
city's Legal Department to draft an ordinance that would allow the tiger
exhibit to operate under a temporary, 180-day permit while the aquarium
seeks accreditation as a public zoo.

Although the proposed ordinance change got the support of the committee,
it still would need the full council's approval.

But there are detractors.

Houston Zoo director Rick Barongi said Fertitta should not be allowed to
turn his restaurant into a zoo.

"It just doesn't work," Barongi said. "The mission of a zoo is primarily
for animals; the mission of a restaurant is feeding and entertaining your
guest. (Adding tigers) can't be an add-on or window dressing."

Animal-rights activists also said there is no conservational value in
white tigers because they are an anomaly bred for their unique color and
entertainment value. 

full story:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2416745

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