Contacts:
Fleur Dawes, fleur@idausa.org, 415-879-6879
Courtney Scott, courtney@freeoregonzooelephants.org, 503-544-7384
Images: http://bit.ly/OreWorstZoo 

PORTLAND, OR (February 10, 2018) - In Defense of Animals, Portland Animal Save, and Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants will honor the death of Packy and draw attention to “zoothanasia” with a rally at the Oregon Zoo this Saturday, February 10.

What: World Zoothanasia Day Rally at Oregon Zoo: honoring Packy the elephant and other animal victims

When: Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, speeches at 1:00 pm

Who: Portland Animal Save, Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants, In Defense of Animals

Where: Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, Oregon 97221

More information: https://www.facebook.com/event s/950524455124129

54-year-old Packy the elephant was killed by the Oregon Zoo on February 9, 2017. In Defense of Animals and University of Colorado Professor, Dr. Marc Bekoff declared Packy’s death day as World Zoothanasia Day in honor of Packy and the many other animals who are killed when they are no longer wanted by zoos.

“Members of the public are horrified when they learn of the unjustifiable zoo murders of animals when they are deemed ‘surplus’ or no longer wanted,” said In Defense of Animals elephant scientist Dr. Toni Frohoff. “Many animals in zoos are given no more consideration than unwanted merchandise. We encourage everyone who cares for Packy to join us in marking the second World Zoothanasia Day to honor countless animal victims who are killed by zoos.”

Packy was born at Oregon Zoo in 1962. In his lifetime, he sired seven calves, and the Zoo profited off of his life for all of his 54 years. His most recent diagnosis of active and drug-resistant tuberculosis was deemed incurable, yet it was reported that he showed no signs of suffering from the disease itself, with no signs of pain or discomfort.

According to an Oregon Zoo keeper, Packy was, “active, playful and engaged with keeper staff every day.” Despite these clear signs of his well-being, his condition required intense care, attention and expense on the part of the Zoo.

The dark secret is that zoos have limited room, and limited budgets, for their animals. Old or ill animals are not good for business. They are considered to be taking up space that could be given to younger, reproductively active animals who can breed and keep ticket sales coming in. This cold, hard fact is summed up by a comment reportedly made by a member of the Oregon Zoo staff in a meeting, "How much is a 54-year-old bull worth compared to a four-year-old reproductive calf?"

As well as the rally, a one-minute silence will be held on World Zoothanasia Day on February 9 to honor Packy and all of the other animals whose lives are taken from them unfairly and unnecessarily while the zoo industry continues to profit.

The public rally has been scheduled for the day after World Zoothanasia Day, Saturday, February 10th, so that anyone who fondly remembers Packy may attend.

Read more about zoothanasia in Dr. Marc Beckoff’s latest Psychology Today piece: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201802/remembering-packy-the-elephant -world-zoothanasia-day

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

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