No Whales and Polar Bears In Calgary!
Proposed Arctic Shores exhibit misguided, outdated and wasteful
On April 7, 2006, the
Calgary Zoo officially announced its intention to pursue the acquisition of beluga whales and polar bears for their
proposed Arctic Shores exhibit. The zoo hopes to break ground on the exhibit in 2007 with completion and opening set for
sometime in 2010. Arctic Shores is part of the zoo's Project Discovery expansion project.
In 2004, after hearing rumours about the Calgary Zoo's plans, Zoocheck Canada and more than 50 other wildlife protection
groups wrote to the Calgary Zoo expressing concern and asking them not to pursue the acquisition of whales. The groups said,
"It is not possible to recreate the ocean habitat of these highly complex, wide-ranging animals, nor provide
them with an environment that satisfies all of their biological and behavioural needs. In the wild, these animals range
over expansive areas of ocean and establish very complex, often lifelong, social bonds and groupings. We believe they are
among the poorest candidates for captivity."
Since the zoo's official announcement in 2006, wildlife protection groups have mobilized a variety of public awareness
initiatives, including a billboard in downtown Calgary, bus shelter ads, lawn signs, brochures and public events. Opposition
to the zoo plan is growing. A 2006 public opinion poll commissioned by Zoocheck found that the majority of Calgarians
actually opposed the zoo's plans.
Media and Calgary citizens were
surprised by the zoo's first public announcement about whales and polar bears. For almost a year the zoo steadfastly denied
that any decisions had been made about what animals would be displayed, despite the fact that
drawings of the Arctic Shores complex, including a beluga pool and a polar bear exhibit, were found on the website
of the zoo's architectural firm. The drawing was pulled off the site shortly after it was exposed.
As well, Up North magazine reported that the Calgary Zoo had approached the Territory of Nunavut to acquire
narwhal and musk ox from the wild, but were turned down by their Wildlife Management Board.
The Province of Alberta has already pledged $35 million to the zoo and the City of Calgary has apparently pledged $30
million. Despite this, both levels of government have the ability to direct that their funding go to specific zoo projects,
such as improving the existing animal accommodation and care, and not to supporting the acquisition of highly problematic,
wide-ranging species whose needs cannot be met in captivity. It may also be possible for funding to be redirected to other
areas of need, such as education, social services or wildlife conservation initiatives.
NEWS ITEM!
ZOO SCALES BACK ARCTIC EXHIBIT
(2007-06-30)
Zoocheck Commentary on Calgary Zoo "Corporate Affairs" Email (2006)
An Appeal to the Calgary Zoo from Wildlife Protection
Groups around the World (2004)
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