Easter Monday is CAPS' National Zoo Awareness Day.

In the past, protests have not been staged outside Colchester Zoo in Essex, because local media has been perceived to be too pro-zoo. That seems to be changing. Recent reports suggest that Lord Hanningfield, the leader of Essex County Council, has a personal ambition to bring back 2 giant pandas from China, where he was on a trade mission.

The zoo has said they would welcome this. Hanningfield said there would be "queues for miles" to see them. He has let teh cat out of the bag, showing to people what zoos are really about - tourism and profit. Nothing to do with animal welfare. Zoos are anachronistic in this day and age.

By staging a potest outside one of the previously "untouchable" zoos, ie Colchester, we will be making a mark.

Media coverage is also guaranteed.

Please contact us on  zooprotester@yahoo.co.uk for details and to let is know if you can make it. Times as yet unconfirmed.

Also see CAPS website for more details
 http://www.caps-uk.dircon.co.uk

See CAPS statement on pandas
PRESS RELEASE 2 April 2004
>
> CAMPAIGNERS CALL ON COUNCIL BOSS TO DROP PLANS FOR ZOO PANDAS
>
> The Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) has called on the Leader of
> Essex County Council, Lord Hanningfield, to withdraw any plans to
introduce
> Giant Pandas to a British Zoo.
>
> Lord Hanningfield has just returned from a trade delegation visit to China
> and has told the media that he has had a long-held ambition to see Giant
> Pandas in a British zoo. Colchester Zoo has apparently expressed interest.
>
> CAPS believe that the over-riding purpose of bringing pandas to a British
> zoo would be for tourism and Lord Hanningfield appears to admit that with
> his comment "I am sure that the queues to see them would stretch for
miles."
> According to the United Nations Environment Programme "Giant Pandas are
one
> if not the most sought after of animals for zoos. They are probably the
> biggest crowd pullers on Earth."
>
> Giant Pandas breed poorly in captivity and are now often bred by
artificial
> insemination, although survival rates for cubs are poor. The United
Nations
> Environment Programme also states: "The popularity of the panda has led to
> the creation of many captive breeding facilities, which may have added to
> the demand for Giant Pandas from the small wild populations."
>
> China's agreement to send Giant Pandas to zoos around the world has often
> been accused of having more to do with international relations between
> governments than about conservation. There are only around 1,000 Giant
> Pandas left in the wild in China, and funding of wildlife reserves and
> habitat preservation and restoration are the only real way to protect
these
> animals.
>
> Craig Redmond, spokesperson for the Captive Animals' Protection Society,
> said:
> "It is well known that Giant Pandas fare poorly in captivity and to
subject
> these animals to transportation to England and confinement to a zoo would
be
> a catastrophe for animal welfare. This would be about generating more
money
> from tourism, not furthering the conservation of the species. The money
that
> would have to be spent on transporting, housing and caring for the animals
> would be better spent on protecting the pandas' natural habitat."
>
> The public is increasingly concerned about the welfare of animals in zoos
> and Giant Pandas have not been kept in a British zoo for over a decade.