- Cruel and usual -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 7/31/2002
Last Visited: 2/14/2004
At the AZA-accredited Phoenix Zoo, director Jeff Williamson required non-AZA zoos and dealers to sign an agreement that his animals and their offspring would not end up "in animal auctions, canned hunts, the pet trade, invasive biomedical research, or any other situation contrary to the AZA code of ethics."In November 2000, Williamson sold 17 male ibexes-an exotic goat popular with trophy hunters-to a Texas wildlife dealer and breeder who reportedly supplies animals to hunting ranches.After U.S. News asked Williamson if he had ever checked on his ibexes, he made several attempts to reach the dealer and says his calls were ignored.
After several weeks, Williamson finally received a telephone message saying the ibexes were alive, but he has been unable to verify that.The experience has moved him to change the Phoenix Zoo policy.In future, no animals will be shipped to nonaccredited zoos or any dealers, and all old or surplus animals will be retired under the zoo's jurisdiction.Says Williamson: "We are not going to get ourselves into this situation again."