NYT/AP: 3 Endangered Monkeys Die at Chicago Zoo (zoo under review)

[DeepModem Mom]

3 Endangered Monkeys Die at Chicago Zoo
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 15, 2005


CHICAGO, May 14 (AP) - An endangered monkey is in quarantine while experts at the Lincoln Park Zoo try to determine what killed three others, the latest in a series of animal deaths at the zoo.

The United States Department of Agriculture is looking into whether the zoo violated the Animal Welfare Act, and the group that accredits American zoos is now reviewing all animal care practices there.

Officials at the zoo say the deaths of the monkeys this week may be linked to their recent move to a new exhibit that gave them access to the outdoors. Their deaths follow those of two elephants, two gorillas and a camel at the zoo since October, and the death of another elephant earlier this month as it was being transferred to Utah.

The surviving monkey, an 8-year-old female Francois langur, is under observation at the zoo hospital, said a zoo spokeswoman, Kelly McGrath.

The monkey showed no signs of illness Friday morning, Ms. McGrath said, but veterinarians were watching for the slightest change in its physical state or behavior....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/15/national/15monkey.html

[shockra]

1. Protest being held tomorrow at Noon.

PETA Calls On State’s Attorney to Investigate Zoo for Violating Animal Protection Laws

Chicago — More than 200 animal rights supporters in town for a PETA Helping Animals 101 conference, along with In Defense of Animals and Friends of Wankie, will gather outside the Lincoln Park Zoo on Sunday to protest the deaths of more than half a dozen animals during the past year. Already under investigation by federal authorities, the activists are asking the Cook County state’s attorney to investigate the zoo for violations of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act and calling for the resignation of embattled zoo president Kevin Bell:

http://www.peta.org/MC/NewsItem.asp?id=6402

The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited the zoo for failing to provide adequate shelter after a camel left outside overnight died in December. Three langurs died earlier this week after being moved to a new enclosure, which apparently contained hazards that endangered the animals. Whistleblowers have informed PETA that additional deaths have been hushed up, including the alleged drowning of a newborn marmoset.

[burrowowl]

2. Very definitely

a through investigation is in order. Sanitation, etc.