Lawn Signs Oppose Calgary Zoo's Plans to Acquire Whales and Polar Bears

2006-08-15

Zoocheck Canada

National wildlife in captivity watchdog group Zoocheck Canada is continuing its public awareness campaign to keep whales and polar bears out of the Calgary Zoo by making lawn signs available to Calgary residents.

Zoocheck first exposed the Calgary Zoo's plan to acquire marine mammals more than a year and a half ago and vowed to oppose the plan calling it misguided, outdated, unnecessary and cruel.In April a billboard in downtown Calgary depicting a whale and a polar bear in a fishbowl went up causing all sorts of controversy. A few weeks ago bus shelter ads began to show up around Calgary and now private residents and businesses are being asked to join the campaign by displaying a sign.

“We recently commissioned a professional survey of Calgarians that revealed that the majority do not want the zoo to acquire whales and polar bears,” said Julie Woodyer, Campaigns Director for Zoocheck Canada. “It's no secret that far-ranging carnivores like belugas and polar bears suffer when confined. The response to the ads has been overwhelming. We have been getting queries from the public about how they can help and so we decided to make signs available to people to put on their lawns, hang from balconies or in windows.”

"This is simply the next step in our public awareness effort, but it's an important one. We are making the tools available for Calgarians to show their opposition to the zoo’s plans” Woodyer added. “Calgary residents can now simply call our toll free number 1-888-801-3222 to arrange to get a sign for their home or business.”

Zoocheck in conjunction with other animal protection and environmental organizations and members of the public are urging Calgary City Council and the Province of Alberta to direct any current commitment of zoo funding toward improving the lives of animals already residing at the zoo rather than building new displays to house controversial species whose needs cannot be met in captivity.

In August, 2004, a letter signed by 58 non-governmental organizations representing more than 15 million supporters worldwide wrote to the Calgary Zoo expressing concerns about the display and warning that any move to acquire whales would generate enormous controversy.