Ask the City of Austin to assist in starting a zoo committed to ethical and humane treatment of animals. Austin, TX is the largest city in the United States without an zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means that no animal care facility in Austin meets the standards and requirements that guarantee safe and healthy lives for captive animals. The City has the power and funds unlike any other to start a zoo from the ground-up to provide an alternative to the terrible animal facilities we currently have.

Why do we need a zoo?

Austin, TX is the largest city in the United States without an AZA-accredited zoo. This means that no animal care facility in Austin meets the standards and requirements that guarantee safe and healthy lives for captive animals. This is completely unacceptable in a growing metropolitan city that has the 10th largest population in the United States.

Starting an AZA zoo is not only beneficial for the animals, but it will provide a new recreational opportunities for families and it will be a tremendous boost to the economy in Austin. In Texas alone, it is reported that AZA zoos annually "generate $884.2 million in economic activity". Additionally, AZA reports that their accredited zoos attract over 183 million visitors every year, which is more than the annual attendance of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB combined.

Additionally, for the health and preservation of our planet it is necessary to demand conservation action from our zoos and aquariums. AZA accreditation, unlike ZAA and USDA, requires that zoos and aquariums contribute to conservation initiatives. Because of AZA and other partner associations, zoos and aquariums are the "third largest funder of conservation globally". AZA-accredited organizations alone contribute over "$160 million on conservation initiatives annually".

What is the alternative?

The main alternatives in Austin are the Austin Zoo and the Austin Aquarium, both of which have been fraught with animal neglect and animal welfare abuses.

The Austin Zoo's largest controversy gained prominence during a zookeepers' revolt, in which 24 staff members (17 zookeepers) spoke out against "unorthodox animal care techniques, an unwillingness to euthanize suffering animals and acts of retaliation against keepers who raised concerns". One particular instance was Babs the bear, who in her old age was found lying on the ground, "flailing when she attempted to move". She laid in her kennel for six weeks, with keepers giving her water through a hose, trying to force her to eat using hot dogs and donuts on a stick, and flipping her over with two-by-fours since she was laying in her own waste. One zookeeper recounted that she once found rats on top of Babs fighting over food in her fur.

The Austin Aquarium is no better. Austin Aquarium is just one of the many aquariums that the Covinos own across the country. Ammon Covino, the founder and operator of these aquariums, was federally sentenced for illegal harvest and trafficking of wildlife for exhibition in his aquariums. The Covinos have a long history of animal abuse and neglect in all of their locations. The most recent allegations occurred at Houston Interactive Aquarium, where the facility was cited by USDA for a giraffe becoming ill and developing a life-threatening neurological condition due to malnutrition. They also issued citations for not providing proper housing facilities or heat sources for their lemurs and capybaras during the winter months.

There are NO ethical zoos or aquariums in Austin. The closest AZA-accredited zoo is San Antonio Zoo - over 1 1/2 hours away. Guests continue to give money to the Austin Zoo and Austin Aquarium because there is no other option for them, and for most people the convenience is worth the potential consequences for animals. We must give people in Austin the option to choose how we treat the animals they love.

What can the City do?

Many AZA-accredited zoos are formed through partnerships between non-profit zoological societies and their respective city governments. Some of the most famous zoos in the United States are largely funded by the city or state, or even owned by the city. For example, San Diego Zoo receives contributions from the city, and North Carolina Zoo is owned by the state Department of Natural Cultural Resources.

Austin is growing exponentially, and there is a huge opportunity to start a zoo focused on animal welfare. The City can start by organising a committee designed to investigate the feasibility and opportunity of a zoo in Austin. They can also begin scouting locations in Austin for a central, accessible area to establish a zoo. It may also be useful to conduct a survey of Austin residents to understand their priorities for a zoo. The City will be provided assistance and guidance from zoological leaders from across the country.

What can YOU do to demand ethical treatment of captive animals?

1. Sign the petition! This petition will show the Austin City Council that Austinites demand better treatment of our animals. We want healthy and safe animal attractions, we want to significantly expand our local economy, and we want to conserve our natural resources for future generations.
2. Share this petition on social media! We must demand that the city consider starting an ethical zoo in Austin. The reputation of Austin is being tarnished by these animal facilities, and we deserve better. This petition will be submitted to the Austin City Council and appropriate zoological assistance and guidance will be provided to the City. 
3. Contact your City Council Representative! Visit the City of Austin website to find the phone number for your City Council Representative. If you do not know which district you reside in, refer to the City Council Map by entering your address.
4. Boycott the Austin Zoo and Austin Aquarium! Do not give your money to line the pockets of people mistreating and neglecting animals. 
5. Stay updated! We will share the progress of the establishment of an AZA zoo in Austin.