People protest at Chandler Ostrich Festival

About two dozen protesters gathered outside the Ostrich Festival in Chandler Saturday morning after the death of a zebra that escaped the festival on Wednesday.

The zebra was struck and killed in Wednesday morning traffic, reigniting a debate over the role of animals in entertainment.

The protest was organized by Robert Franklin III of Direct Action Everywhere, a grassroots organization that opposes all forms of animal abuse.

“An animal has already lost its life due to this festival,” Franklin said. “People are realizing that this is something that could have been prevented by not even having the animals here.”

Protesters also called attention to the fact that the festival’s numbers have dwindled, once drawing 250,000 visitors, to now attracting only 100,000 attendees, according to the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

Protesters rallied along the street near the entry to the festival. They carried signs and chanted at passersby.

Celeste Hibbetts of Tucson held up a sign that read, “Ostrich races are cruel.”

One protester wore a T-shirt with the message, “Animals are not property.”

Franklin said his group does not wish to see the festival close down, rather they are asking there be more of an emphasis on human performers and family activities that are already a part of the festival.

“They have acrobats this year, which is a phenomenal addition,” Franklin said. “It’s a wonderful festival. They just need to leave the animals out of it.”

Some attendees walking into the festival said they support the festival’s history, calling for it to stay true to its roots and maintain the inclusion of exotic animals as entertainment.

“It’s sad that the zebra died, but as long as they’re treating them right, it’s kind of a far reach to say that they’re trying to escape,” said McKenna Dalgarno, who has attended the festival for the last two years.

“Accidents happen,” said another festival-goer. “But it’s not the Ostrich Festival without the ostriches.”

One attendee said there is value in featuring animals beyond just the entertainment factor.

“I think it has merits for conservation to see an animal up close,” said Nicole Fender, who grew up in Chandler and has attended the festival since she was a little girl. “It makes you invested in saving that animal. It’s different than seeing them on the television.”

Last year, a petition to stop the ostrich races garnered 2,816 signatures. The festival discontinued chariot races with the ostriches last year, but continues to race with jockeys.

However, Fender argued against making the animals do tricks or participate in races.