The claims by Jody Henderson, Marketing and Promotions Manager for the Greater Vancouver Zoo, that the zoo has the well - being of the animals at the forefront of what they do, and that they are completely transparent in what they do, ring a false note with me.

At the same time, she is quoted as saying, "We are open to suggestions for improvement from the SPCA and from the public at large. In fact, in response to a recent suggestion from an SPCA official, we placed rubber flooring in the temporary hippo enclosure".

Now, I know very little about hippos, but I know from personal experience, that placing rubber matting on a concrete surface that you must stand on for any length of time, significantly decreases stress on and pain of, the leg joints.

The Zoo managers MUST know this, the vet MUST know this, yet Hazina the hippo was not even given rubber matting for almot 19 months, and not until the zoo was advised to do so.

I heard Ms. Henderson on CBC Radio recently. She was stating how the zoo has never hidden the conditions that Hazina lives under, but that they usually keep animals that are in less than desirable housing away from public display.

Why do they have ANY animals that are in less than
desirable housing?

Personally, I wish the zoo didn't exist, but that is another discussion.

I can only hope that this issue has raised public awareness about the plight of zoo animals in general, and that the Vancouver Zoo feels the heat of public scrutiny.