For Immediate Release: Friday, August 26, 2016

Attn: News Desk

America’s First Zoo Urged to Progress to Sanctuary Model

Local Citizens Launch New Campaign on Saturday

Philadelphia: On Saturday, animal advocates will gather at the Philadelphia Zoo to

urge the facility to transition to a sanctuary model where the zoo would rescue
animals in need and provide them with a maximally natural habitat rather than
breeding animals for display in captivity.

The public outcry after the May shooting of Harambe, a gorilla confined in the
Cincinnati Zoo killed when a three-year-old boy entered his enclosure, and other
recent animal deaths has highlighted some of the issues of the zoo industry.

The “Change the Zoo” campaign will request that the Philadelphia Zoo transition to a
sanctuary model, similar to the recently announced plans for the 140-year old
Buenos Aires Zoo, where the 2,500 animals currently confined there will be moved
to nature reserves and the 44-acre zoo itself is transitioning to a ecopark.

The Philadelphia Zoo is the nation’s oldest zoo - cramming over 1500 animals onto
42 acres, housing many animals in crumbling, Depression-era enclosures, and
paying executives exorbitant salaries (the CEO alone makes over $300,000 a year.)
More information about the campaign can be found at its dedicated website at
ChangetheZoo.com. Bi-weekly outreach events will be held at the zoo and offsite.

WHEN: Saturday, August 27, 2016, 1 pm to 3 pm.

WHERE: Public sidewalk outside of the zoos southwest entrance at 3400 Girard
Avenue, Philadelphia PA

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