Animal-rights groups keep pressure on zoo

Animal-rights groups keep pressure on zoo



Chicago, IL, May. 16 (UPI) -- Animal-rights activists seeking the
resignation of the director of Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo amid several
animal deaths are keeping the pressure on.


Nearly 200 sign-carrying demonstrators from People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, In Defense of Animals and other groups stood
outside the gates of the urban zoo Sunday demanding the Cook County
state's attorney investigate whether zoo officials have violated animal
protection laws.

The zoo has lost three elephants, a gorilla, a camel and three rare
monkeys in six months. Officials withheld word the arm of a small ape
was amputated last month.

PETA accused the zoo of concealing information from the public.

"We'd like the new director to be somebody who would work with, rather
than against, animal-rights groups," Debbie Leahy of PETA told the
Chicago Tribune.

Zoo officials issued a statement saying: "With 1,200 animals at the
zoo, representing hundreds of species, it is absolutely impossible to
anticipate how many births or deaths should be expected within a given
time frame."