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This letter is one of four written by a Coalition member to Dr. Simmons. She has received no reply. Join her. Write letters to protest this practice!
July17, 1999 Dr. Lee Simmons, Director The Henry Doorly Zoo 10th& Deer Park Ave Omaha, NE 68107
Dear Dr. Simmons, As a former resident, I was dismayed to read that the Doorly Zoo appears on a list of zoos in the U.S. which "had the highest percentage of sold, traded, loaned or donated surplus animals going to dealers, auctions, game or hunting ranches, unidentified private individuals or unaccredited zoos or game farms." The list covers the period from 1992 to mid-1998, during which time 19,361 animals left the nation's zoos. The survey was conducted by the San Jose Mercury News, and took two years to complete. When tracking the animals leaving the zoos, the newspaper obtained data, which had been available publicly, and was contained in the International Species Information System. Thirty-eight percent (7.420) went to dealers, auctions, hunting ranches, unidentified persons or unaccredited zoos or game farms. The majority went from zoo to dealer, (5,200). This information is also available on a website. At least the Doorly Zoo in not high on this list-35% of 186 animals, but was not at the low end either. I am concerned about the ultimate fate and welfare of these , and all of the large number of animals leaving zoos. The De Brazza monkey apparently went to a Minnesota exhibitor, who also deals in animals. The survey noted that some, including endangered or threatened species, could end up as backyard pets, in roadside zoos or private collections. Some were probably shot on fenced hunting ranches. So much for the interstate commerce cluase of the Endangered Species Act. I'd like to inquire as follows: How many surplus animlas were sent from the Doorly zoon since 1997? Where did they go and where are they now? Were they "altered" in some way so as not to produce offspring, or were they sent for breeding purposes? What is the manner in which you place animals leaving the zoo? I am particularly concerned about the following: 6 Japanese macaques, 6 black-handed spider monkeys, 3 celebes macaques, 2 brown-headed spider monkeys, 1 colobus monkey and 1 red handed tamarin. The above ended up in the hands of Bod Troumbly, whose licensure is unknown, but was prosecuted on criminal wildlife charges in 1991. Colobus monkeys are very fragile and would be at great risk if placed on the open market. The Doorly zoo had the largest number of animals going to the above person. I have not heard from you about my concern for the two tigers sent to the Denver zoo, which were observed in cramped quarters. I am sending along a copy of that letter. I inquired if you had checked into this situation. I saw a picture of one of them on Denver news this week. He looked bored, and did seem to be housed in small quarters. I would like to request a reply regarding my above concerns. Thankyou for your attention to these matters. I expect and look forward to hearing from you . Sincerely, |
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