In the wake of a recent tragic incident in which six black bucks died in “mysterious conditions” at the Kanpur Zoo, passers by witnessed two “dead blackbucks ” lying in open coffins with a tombstone stating, “Oh Deer! Zoos are Death Traps” and “Close down Kanpur zoo” A funeral wreath wasplaced on the open coffin. PETA aims to show that zoos are not safe for the animals incarcerated in them and that visitors to the zoo leave without having learned anything meaningful about the animals’ natural behaviour, intelligence or beauty.

This is not the first time that animals who are incarcerated in zoos have died a tragic unnatural death. In the year 2007, 5 deers had died at the Kinnerasani Deer Park in Andhra Pradesh due to trauma and suffocation, 12 deers died of pneumonia at Tripura zoo. In the same year 13 Black Bucks died at the Aurangabad Municipal Zoo, following which 5 spotted deers died of cardiac arrest at the Sipahijala Zoo in Tripura. Not long after 13 Black Bucks died at the Binkadakatti zoo due to a hound attack. No one can forget the Thiruvananthapuram zoo incident where 13 black bucks died of foot and mouth disease and the 16 deer death in the infamous Veermata Jijabai Udyan and Zoo in Mumbai. These are just some incidents; more are attached in the fact sheet.

Zoos capture animals from the wild or breed them in captivity and force an incarcerated life for the animals, Captivity itself is cruel for animals meant to roam free. Zoos’ manufactured habitats usually preclude natural behaviors like flying, swimming, running, hunting, climbing, scavenging and partner selection. The physical and mental frustrations of captivity lead to abnormal, neurotic and even self-destructive behavior such as self-mutilation.

The Central Zoo Authority must close down zoos and encourage states to establish national parks and sanctuaries.

“Zoo claims that they protect species from extinction, such deaths prove that the zoos claim is a farce” says PETA’s Campaign Coordinator Sachin Bangera. “We are asking CZA to take stringent action against Kanpur Zoo and close them down immediately.”

- End -