2019 Oakland Zoo Annual Report

THE MANY FORMS OF ANIMAL CARE At Oakland Zoo, Animal Care & Welfare involves many things our visitors can see, like caring for our animals, seeing to their ongoing needs, and educating the public. However, it also involves work that many don’t get to witness, like our efforts in protecting animals everywhere.

While many zoos focus on animal conservation efforts outside their walls, not as many set their sights on animal welfare advocacy. I’m proud to say that Oakland Zoo stands out in this respect.

One place our advocacy work has been particularly effective is in challenging roadside zoos, which are unregulated collections of exotic or wild animals, often under inhumane or dangerous conditions. Working with partners like PETA and the Animal Defense Fund, our team’s expert testimony in court has been critical in helping to rescue animals from these deplorable conditions.

A large success in 2019 resulted in over 120 animals being rescued from Wilson’s Wild Animal Park in Virginia, including lions, tigers, bears, camels, goats, water buffalo, and more.

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