New book on zoos : request for information

[Guest guest]

Dear colleagues,

Rob Laidlaw, director of Zoocheck Canada, has

written a new book on animals in captivity for children(review attached). It'll

be released in Canada in September and the US in February. Mr Laidlaw

writes, " While I tried to make it hyper critical of zoos, since it is aimed

at the school market, I also incorporated some profiles of some of the

better facilities I've visited.There are a number of stories and, if my

memory is correct, I believe I included a couple about India. " He is now

working on a book on the same theme for adults and is soliciting information

from various sources. He wants to incorporate reports, papers, opinion

editorials and other materials from individuals, organizations and

independent sources around the world. I am sure that many of you will have a

lot to contribute. I would be particularly glad if individuals from India

took an active interest in this. As many of you will be aware, Rob Laidlaw

and Zoocheck Canada spearheaded the Indian Zoo Inquiry project facilitated

by Compassionate Crusaders Trust. The project report was used as a reference

in a Supreme Court case against Indian zoos recently. It does serve as a

baseline for further investigation into Indian zoo conditions. As the former

project coordinator of the Indian Zoo Inquiry, I would be pleased if

individuals in India took the initiative to carry on the project from where

we left. I know it is not easy, since it was not easy for me and funding is

hard to come by. But locally and regionally, it is possible to survey a zoo

without incurring much expense and Zoocheck Canada would be at hand to

assist with expertise. I do know several groups have worked on the zoo issue

in India in recent times and their reports are impressive. It is important

to keep the pressure on zoos so that they are compelled to reconsider their

basic objectives.

Please write directly to him at rob

Zoocheck Canada has also refurbished their website which is well worth a

look : www.zoocheck.com

Indian Zoo Inquiry report at :

http://www.zoocheck.com/reports_international.html

I would be willing to help in any way possible.

Best wishes and kind regards,

 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

*

http://astore.amazon.ca/gp/detail.html?tag=zoocheckcanad-20 & linkCode=sb1 & camp=21\

2357 & creative=380585 & asin=1554550254

*

*Good Zoos, Bad Zoos*

 

A large family of elephants ambles all day along a well-remembered route

across the hot African savanna. Halfway around the world in a zoo in Alaska,

a single female elephant paces back and forth in her cramped, concrete pen.

During the sub-arctic winter, she lives alone in a dark barn.

 

*As it plods great distances across the ice in the Canadian Arctic, a polar

bear continually sniffs the wind, closing in on a ringed seal. In a zoo in

Jakarta, another polar bear lies motionless on the concrete floor of its

enclosure, panting in the tropical heat. Its fur has turned green from the

algae growing inside its hollow guard hairs.*

 

These scenes are at the heart of *Wild Animals in Captivity* - a book that

focuses on wild animals living in captivity around the world. " Captive

animals become stressed when they try to act naturally, but can't, " the

author writes. " In many zoos, you'll see them pacing, weaving, or sitting

motionless. This is the animal's way of telling us that it's bored and

unhappy. Wild animals need a rich and varied environment-things to do, space

to roam, social groups, families to care for. "

 

This is an eye-opening look at the lives of captive wild animals-at bad

zoos, good zoos, and the best wild animal sanctuaries.

------------------------------

Product Details

 

- Amazon Sales Rank: #20245 in Books

- Published on: 2007-08-31

- Released on: 2007-08-31

- Binding: Hardcover

- 48 pages

 

*About Zoocheck Canada*

 

 

Zoocheck Canada is a national animal protection charity (#13150 2072 RR

0001) established in 1984 to promote and protect the interests and wellbeing

of wild animals.

 

For more than 20 years, Zoocheck has been a leading voice for the protection

of wild animals. We are the only Canadian organization with a specific focus

on captive wild animal issues and problems.

 

Today, throughout Canada, thousands of wild animals are held captive in

zoos, aquariums and private menageries. Many more are brought into the

country each year by circuses, traveling shows and entertainment companies.

And tens of thousands of exotic fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, many

of them caught in the wild, are imported into Canada, joining the thousands

of exotic birds and mammals already bought and sold in the wild animal pet

trade. Unfortunately, comprehensive laws prohibiting the exploitation and

abuse of these animals are weak and poorly enforced in many parts of Canada.

 

Zoocheck has been working to improve wildlife protection in Canada and to

end the abuse, neglect and exploitation of individual wild animals through:

 

- investigation and research

- public education and awareness campaigns

- capacity building initiatives

- legal programs

- legislative actions

 

Success

 

Over the years, Zoocheck's professional, animal protection campaigns have

resulted in the closure of some of Canada's worst zoos; the cancellation of

plans to construct new zoos and aquariums; improved husbandry conditions for

captive wild animals; new or improved municipal bylaws across the country

that control or prohibit the keeping and display of wild animals by private

citizens, circuses and traveling shows; regional and national public

education and awareness programs; a greater awareness of captive wildlife

issues; and support for projects that directly protect animals in the wild.

 

Zoocheck has also provided vital support to the efforts of individuals,

organizations and governments throughout Canada and around the world as they

work to address wildlife problems and issues in their own regions. Training

workshops have been conducted, campaign tools developed and advice,

information and assistance have been provided to hundreds of different

animal protection initiatives over the years.

How You Can Help

 

Zoocheck's important animal protection work is entirely dependent on

donations from people like you. We receive no government funding. Your

support is what makes Zoocheck's campaigns and projects possible. Please

give the animals a voice and become a Zoocheck supporter today. All

donations are tax-deductible.

 

Download Zoocheck

brochure<http://www.zoocheck.com/pdf%20files/about%20brochure.pdf>(pdf

file)

 

*We endeavor to promote animal protection in specific situations and strive

to bring about a new respect for all living things and the world in which

they live.*