Final signature count: 10,647

10,647 signatures toward our 30,000 goal

There has been a disturbing increase in crimes against zoo animals in the United States. The latest instance occurred at the Dallas Zoo, where two emperor tamarin monkeys were illegally taken and other animal habitats were allegedly tampered with¹.

The suspect, Davion Irvin, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty².

This is not an isolated incident. A lappet-faced vulture was also found dead at the Dallas Zoo under suspicious circumstances, and there have been similar incidents at the Houston Zoo, where the fence to the brown pelican habitat was deliberately cut³.

The tamarin monkeys were recovered unharmed and placed in quarantine after being found in an abandoned home in Lancaster, Texas⁴. A clouded leopard named Nova was also found near her habitat after going missing from her enclosure and suffering from intentional cuts⁵. Meanwhile, the langur monkeys were observed to have a similar cut to their enclosure, but none had escaped.

These incidents have prompted increased security measures at zoos across the country, including the San Antonio Zoo, which is working closely with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of their animals⁶.

Unfortunately, these measures are reactive, and do not address the root of the problem. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the governing body that accredits zoos, must take a proactive approach and mandate stronger protections and safeguards to ensure the welfare of zoo animals. That’s why we’re calling on the AZA to make it a requirement of accreditation that zoos implement stronger measures to protect their animals.

Sign the petition today and help us protect zoo animals in the United States!