IDA is Proud to be a Sponsor for the PAWS International Conference in Los Angeles, Nov. 8-10

Registration is now open for the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) International Captive Wildlife Conference, November 8-10, in Los Angeles. You won’t want to miss this very special event, which features more than 50 speakers from around the world representing the fields of animal care and welfare, scientific research, conservation, ethics and law. Panel discussions will focus on key issues involving elephants in circuses and zoos, orcas and dolphins in marine parks, and big cats and nonhuman primates used for entertainment and as exotic “pets.”

Day 1 of the conference is devoted to elephants and the many issues surrounding their captivity, care, and welfare. Day 2 will focus on marine mammals, big cats, and nonhuman primates. Panelists include experts with direct experience of the often-shocking conditions in which these animals are confined in marine parks, roadside zoos and circuses, as well as their use as animal “actors” and exotic “pets.” Day 3 will address campaigns and advocacy and features national and international animal protection organizations, as well as individual advocates making a difference for wild animals in captivity.

Speakers include: Gary Baum, author of “Animals Were Harmed,” the Hollywood Reporter’s scathing exposé on the abuse of animals used in film and television • Author Marc Bekoff, famous for his revealing insights into the inner lives of animals • Primate expert Sarah Baeckler Davis, whose undercover work exposed the cruelty behind training nonhuman primates to perform • David Hancocks, author, architect, former zoo director, and zoo critic • Keith Lindsay, conservation biologist and Scientific Advisory Committee member with the Amboseli Elephant Research Group • Ric O’Barry, founder of The Dolphin Project and featured in Academy Award-winning documentary “The Cove,” which exposed the dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan • Joyce Poole, pioneer in the study of elephant behavior and communication and co-founder of ElephantVoices • Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist featured in the documentary “Blackfish” • Ed Stewart, former animal trainer and co-founder and president of PAWS, the nation’s first elephant sanctuary • Actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin (tentative), executive producer and narrator of Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary “An Apology to Elephants” • Steven Wise, director of the Nonhuman Rights Project, which seeks to win legal personhood for a nonhuman animal in the courts. (Click here for a full list of speakers and here for a complete program.)

The conference weekend includes a special anniversary gala celebrating PAWS’ 30th year of sanctuary care, education, and advocacy for captive wild animals. The gala will feature gourmet vegan food, entertainment, and celebrity guests.

For more information on the PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference and 30th Anniversary Gala, and to register click here.

For any other questions, please contact Melissa Gonzalez, melissa@idausa.org, 415.448.0048, ext. 205