Rage from the Cage

Phoenix Zoo director refutes allegations of animal abuse

A A A Comments Thursday, Apr 4 2002

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Which zoos can we trust now?

All I can do in Tinkerbell's memory is to write this letter and hope that it causes other people to ask hard questions. Until matters are resolved locally, I cannot bring myself to visit the Phoenix Zoo. I love animals, but I will not participate in supporting the offensive treatment of the animals.

Stumpy, in unhappier times.

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Sandi Delarosa
Mesa

Animal activist: I am one of those in the newly organized group that intends to actually do something to remedy the intolerable situation at the Phoenix Zoo where so many of the animals in its "care" are being and have been mistreated, some to the point of death. The fact that zoo officials are attempting to cover up the truth and protect themselves and their employees from the consequences of irresponsibility just means that they will eventually pay a higher price than they would if they were forthright.

We had several concerned zoo employees approach us for information at our protest at the zoo on March 30. Most did not know about these problems at their own place of employment and wanted to know what they could do to help end the abuse and remedy the situation in favor of the animals.

Conversely, many people exiting the zoo went past us refusing to hear about the situation; some even said they didn't care, notwithstanding the documentation we offered them to read. It appears many people aren't concerned about the health of the animals -- they're only concerned about being able to see them.

We are planning future ongoing action -- legal as well as non-legal (but not illegal). These persons hiding the truth here obviously have something to hide. But, with your exposés and our resources, all of that will come out and heads will roll. We are a well-informed group of animal welfare activists who know how to accomplish our goals.

As with most business, the bottom line here is money; and one of the best things your readers can do is call or write the zoo's board of directors and threaten them with loss of funding: no more contributions until this nonsense is settled to the satisfaction of the animals and the people who genuinely care about them.

Also, they can phone, e-mail or mail comments to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which accredits the zoo every five years. The association may not even be aware of the whole scenario going on here, nor the resulting negative publicity. The association is at 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3314. Phone: 301-562-0777.

Keith Landon
Scottsdale

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