Pgh. zoo should want to be in the best league
Sean Hamill’s excellent article “Pittsburgh Zoo Was Kicked Out of Important Conservation Programs When It Left National Association” (Nov. 12) merits clarification. Most important, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium did not leave the Association of Zoos and Aquariums due to “a dispute over how it cares for elephants” or “philosophical issues.” It left, plain and simple, because the zoo’s executive leadership did not want to meet AZA’s improved and stringent standards for maximizing occupational safety of elephant care professionals — standards designed by their colleagues and which our 62 elephant-holding members are meeting today.
This is a deadly serious issue. Zoo leadership also knew, in leaving AZA, that the zoo’s participation in member programs, like Species Survival Plans, would be restricted. And participation will likely get more restrictive in the months and years to come, as our members continue reviewing SSPs and raising standards for animal care.
Finally, the AZA community would warmly welcome the return of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium as a member, as soon as it is willing to commit to the association’s “Gold Standards” for accreditation. AZA is not just recognized as the “largest zoological association” but as the very best. Only 10 percent of licensed zoos and aquariums can meet our exacting standards. Yes, there are less competitive leagues. But, as with the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, Pittsburgh deserves a zoo and aquarium that play in the major leagues. The door is open, and theporch light is always on! DANIEL M. ASHE President and CEO Association of Zoos and
Aquariums Silver Spring, Md. along of the ACA), or second, if a Republican were elected and saw the scheme for what it was, the subsidies would have to be stopped. It’s cruel, but necessary to make people see that they were sold a pig-in-a-poke by the biggest scam artist ever elected. Now that we have an exterminator in there, they’re complaining about the cleanup. Too bad! THOMAS MAZULA Ross
So Braddock Mayor John Fetterman acts as a spoiler in the Democratic Senate primary in 2016 and now we’re supposed to reward him with the lieutenant governership( “Braddock Mayor Announces Bid for Lieutenant Governor,” Nov. 15)? Is this what the party promised him to prevent Joe Sestak from becoming the Democratic nominee for the generalelection last year?
The fact is, we are saddled with Republican Pat Toomey for the next six years due to Mr. Fetterman’s Senate run. This self-promoter may have the national media fooled as he claims he turned around Braddock, but locals know better. Braddock has a long, long way to go, and he exaggerates the progress that’s been made there. It’s up to us to educate the rest of the state about this fraud. NORMA BRONDER
Squirrel Hill
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On behalf of myself and the many other veterans in this area who took advantage of the free offerings on Veterans Day (and a day or two before and after) by so many fine establishments, I say “thank you for service to all of us.” It was greatly appreciated! CHARLES M. BROSGOL
Robinson