Animal rights protesters take th

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Animal-rights protesters take their case to Aldergrove zoo

April 5, 2015 Ian Austin, The Province

Animal-rights activists chose Easter Sunday to make a stand about exotic animals in activity. “Vancouver Zoo, shame on you,” the protesters chanted call-and-response style as they walked and blocked one lane of traffic on 264th Street in Aldergrove before turning into the Greater Vancouver Zoo. “Don’t buy a ticket,” they chanted, blocking the exit.

“You have a right to protest,” said one of seven RCMP officers called out for the noisy-but-orderly protest. “You don’t have a right to block the road.”

The placard-waving crowd obediently cleared the roadway, but continued to condemn the facility with the help of a megaphone. “We came here today in solidarity with the animals,” shouted one protester, identifying herself as Jackie Mac. “A life in a cage is not a life.”

The representatives of various animal-welfare groups believe it’s cruel to keep exotic animals — lions and tigers and giraffes — in captivity when they belong in the wild.

A large crowd of zoo-goers, some deliberately coming to show support for the facility, were security-checked before being allowed to enter. “As a result of the protest, unfortunately we will be checking bags,” read a sign at the entrance. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Stressed-out zoo general manager Jody Henderson said zoos have evolved, and none of her charges were ever living in the wild. “They were all born in North America, in one of our facilities,” said Henderson. “You know what I’ve had to do today? I’ve had to hire security. “And all these RCMP officers are here today. That money could be spent on the animals.”

Brad Hawkings used the experience to teach his three-year-old son Pierce about democracy. “I just want him to know that you’re able to do this in this country — in other parts of the world you couldn’t do this. “It’s important that people stand up for what they believe in. “Having said all that, we’re going into the zoo.”

Francy Rodriguez said she understands both sides of the debate. “I’m in the middle,” said Rodriguez, shepherding her two children past the protesters into the zoo. “I don’t have the opportunity to go to Africa, but I want the opportunity to show these animals to my kids.”

Jennifer Forbes was also conflicted as she entered the facility. “I understand where (the protesters) are coming from, but this is a good chance for my kids to see animals that they wouldn’t ordinarily see.”

Lorie Chortyk of the B.C. SPCA said animal-cruelty complaints have been investigated at the zoo. “The B.C. SPCA’s position on zoos is that we are not in support of any environment that cannot meet the physical and psychological needs of the animals,” said Chortyk. “Most zoos cannot replicate their natural environment, so we are not supportive of keeping wild animals in captivity.”

The protesters stayed nearly an hour outside the facility, peacefully making their point for the assembled media.

Comment: About 60 demonstrators attended the event to bring attention to GVZ’s troubling history of untimely deaths, animal neglect, and the overall issue of holding animals in captivity. As at least one volunteer has told us in the past, there have been a number of troubling incidents that the general public never hears about.

See more on our Animal Exploitation page