On May 28th, the reality of visitor safety and animal protection in today’s society among zoos tragically surfaced with the shooting of Harambe, a Lowland Gorilla, whose species is on the brink of extinction. These tragic animal deaths and associated public safety incidents continue to rise in numbers.
We justify the captivity of animals in zoos for the purpose of maintaining their species, yet, we continue to fail in the realm of both visitor and animal safety. This can be changed by ensuring effective laws are in place serving to protect. It's the responsibility of every being to ensure preservation, conservation and safety. We understand our failures in this and we are stepping up and reaching out for change.
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is the governing authority of zoos. It was written with a focus on the import/export of animals and animals in labs. Therefore, when you read it, you will see it contains near to nothing for public safety. This would make sense given lab animals are not on exhibit for public view. Furthermore, the AWA is extremely broad in its entirity.
The Association for Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) is an association zoos may join, however are not required to do so. The AZA serves to assist zoos and aquariums with having higher standards for animal care than what the AWA mandates. The members as part to their membership are required to adhere to some of the AZAs standards, but, not all. For example, the AZA does not recommend water moats for primates, as they can not swim and have been known to drown in moats. This petition requests that the AZA place critically endangered species of the utmost highest priority within all projects and agendas (note: the gorilla animal care manual has yet to be published).
This petition seeks that the AWA be revised to have greater regulatory oversite relative to zoos, with great regard for the safety of visitors and the animals. This petition further seeks that the AZA have authority and enforcement ability to require the membership of all zoos and their satisfactorily meeting all standards sets forth by the AZA, or, have the AZA incorporated into the AWA.
This petition seeks the requirement for all zoos to allocate capital funds to abolishing and updating enclosures within reasonable time frames that may pose a safety risk for the public or animal. In the event an enclosure be found to pose a safety risk for the public or a critically endangered species, that such species be removed from public view as quickly as possible and that the zoo routinely be required to report to the AZA the efforts and progress of actions taken to secure and protect the animal.
Lastly, this petition requests that all zoos be required to make available to the public the methods by which zoo paid personnel become qualified to use weapons within in a zoo, for both open carry and concealed weapons.
We ask lawmakers to join and support our pursuit for all aspects discussed in this petition. We sign this petition in good faith that you will hear our voice and take actions to ensure rightful preservation, protection, stewardship of animals and public safety within zoos.
