City’s wild animal ordinance ignores zoo staff’s concerns

An open letter to Barbara Baker, director of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Dear Dr. Baker: As a lifelong city resident, I want to apologize to you and zoo employees. Recent public hearings and media coverage of the wild and exotic animal ordinance gave the false impression that you or any zoo employee would tolerate abuse of animals that are loved so dearly. I watched the testimony on the Pittsburgh cable channel and was upset that your staff was not given due process. The side conversations, facial expressions, distracted behavior of the ordinance supporters and empty council chairs were offensive to me as an independent observer. It was sad that no one would listen as professional zoo staff explained how the ordinance would make their job less safe and more difficult.

As a child, I spent many days at the old zoo observing beautiful animals in cramped cages showing neurotic behaviors. I am so happy now that the zoo is compassionately giving animals more natural environments in a modern zoo setting. When I was a veterinary student, I spent a twoweek rotation at the zoo. I learned how difficult it is to work in exotic medicine. As a veterinarian, I know the sacrifices and commitment you and your staff make to work in a zoo setting.

As a longtime member of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, I am very familiar with the well-publicized animal rights agenda. Everyone can agree that animals of all kinds must be treated humanely. However, I would hate to see the elimination of zoos, life-saving animal medical research and food animal production. This is the goal of some animal rights organizations.

I have been behind the scenes of the zoo and circus and know how much the elephants crave human contact and the affection your staff hasfor the female elephants. I know that you, your staff and advisory board care about the safety of the animals, employees and zoo visitors. At the hearings, even the circus animal caretakers showed deep affection to their animals. The circus is also a target of the ordinance.

My hope is that my grandchildren continue to experience the grandeur of seeing elephants in a natural exhibit. However, my grandchildren in Chicago cannot see elephants as that city has none. Seeing a live elephant helps to encourage conservation in the wild. I am sure the zoo’s staff has studied how the employees interact with the elephants and that the welfare of the animals and handlers is a priority.

I hope the city will reconsider the hardship placed on the zoo by this ordinance.