Survey says Calgary residents don’t want whales and polar bears

2006-07-28

Zoocheck Canada

Zoocheck Canada commissioned a major market research firm, R.A. Malatest and Associates Ltd. to conduct a survey of Calgarians to assess their attitudes regarding the Calgary Zoo’s plan to acquire whales and polar bears for their proposed arctic display. The results are clear that Calgarians don’t want whales and polar bears in their city.

Survey results:

• The majority of Calgary residents surveyed are not supportive of the Calgary Zoo’s plans to acquire whales and polar bears;
• Calgary residents surveyed feel that the best way to learn about whales and polar bears is in the wild. Only 11% are feel that learning is best done in captive settings;
• More than three-quarters of Calgarians feel that the needs of the animals cannot be accommodated in captivity;
• Nearly 90% felt that it is important for whales and dolphins to be in the company of their family members (pods);
• 76% feel that the polar bears are unable to travel distances anywhere near their counterparts in the wild; and
• Three-quarters of residents are not supportive of keeping wide-ranging carnivores such as whales and polar bears in captivity.

"We are not surprised by the results as they are reflective of similar surveys conducted in Vancouver a couple of years ago,”reports Julie Woodyer, Campaigns Director for Zoocheck Canada. “We commissioned the professional research company to conduct the survey to ensure that the results were not biased in any way. We wanted politicians to make their decisions about potential funding for the exhibit based on unbiased information and not propaganda”

Zoocheck Canada first exposed the zoo’s plans to acquire these highly controversial animals more than a year ago pointing to scientific studies out of Oxford University among other esteemed institutions as proof that wide-ranging carnivores (including whales and polar bears) suffer in captivity. The wildlife protection group erected a billboard in downtown in May which started people talking about the zoos plans and researching the issue further. “We have recently commissioned bus shelter ads in the City to ensure that we keep Calgarians thinking about whether this sort of cruel display is right for their city,”Woodyer added

Zoocheck and other public interest organizations are asking the Calgary Zoo to halt their plans for whales and polar bears and 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.