June 17, 2005

To the Mayor and Council, District of North Vancouver

The confinement of animals on Grouse Mountain involves animal displays and performances that are in violation of the Animal Performance Bylaw (Bylaw 6423 that was approved January 1992). Operating a zoo is further against the ethical treatment of animals outlined in your Animal Rights Day Proclamation of August 3, 1987.

The proclamation states, "A new ethic for our treatment of animals is evolving that recognizes that animals have a right not to be abused and exploited by humans...".

The Grouse Mountain zoo business is not rehabilitation and release. The bears have been hand-fed for entertainment; the bears and wolves were imprisoned together as a tourist attraction (that resulted in the death of one wolf); the bird shows are a circus act and reindeers on display is a Christmas gimmick (many reindeer acts have stopped due to the exposure of the behind-the-scene abuses).

There has been many animal and public safety problems during the short period of this zoo. The endangered owl named "Hope" died. The bears escaped. One of the bears sent to another ski resort died. However the expansion of zoos in ski resorts have not been stopped. They plan to expand to keep more animals in captivity - such as elk being penned in on Grouse Mountain.

The operators at Grouse Mountain made a grave error in judgement by putting bears and wolves together. Common sense dictates that these species are not compatible. I have written papers on enriching the environments of animals in captivity and found that some methods can be employed without putting animal lives in jeopardy. Simply put, it was idiotic. These and other animals must not be subjected to further experiments.

Further, the statement by management that it was done to relieve boredom proves that the behavioural and psychological needs cannot be provided for in this zoo on Grouse Mountain.

In BC wildlife can be seen freely. Education and conservation programs are being conducted to protect wildlife without imprisoning them. Government funds should support existing education, conservation and rehab/release organizations. Lifeforce hopes that you will act responsibly, recognize your ethical obligation to animals and shut down this zoo.

Peter Hamilton
Founder, Lifeforce Foundation
(604) 649-5258