May 19, 2009 10:45 pm US/Eastern
PETA Fights To Save Lion Cub From Relocation
ATTLEBORO (WBZ) ―
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Taji, a 6-month-old lion cub at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro, is being sent off to Zoo Arc in Indiana, which has sparked some controversy among animal rights activists.
WBZ
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Taji's parents are on loan by Zoo Arc in Indiana.
WBZ
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is facing off against the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro to save a lion cub from being relocated to a facility in Indiana.
He's 6 months old and absolutely adorable, but Taji the lion cub is causing quite a controversy. Taji was born at the Capron Park Zoo. Both his mother and father are on loan to the zoo from an animal facility in Indiana called Zoo ARC.
Technically, Taji belongs to Zoo ARC owner Kevin Chambers, and now the zoo is preparing to send Taji to Indiana.
"You can only have so many lions in an exhibit," said zoo director, Jean Benchimol.
But now, PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is warning the zoo, if it sends the cub out, it will be "...a shocking breach of responsibility."
PETA claims Chambers is an exotic animal broker and it would be dangerous to send the cub to him. A letter to the zoo from PETA accuses Chambers of allowing his animals to be sold at auction to people who can't or won't treat them correctly.
Chambers vehemently denies the allegations.
"They're unfounded," he said. "I've never sold an animal at auction."
WBZ checked with the US Department of Agriculture. Chambers does have a valid USDA license to sell animals. We also checked with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The AZA accredits zoos. A spokesperson tells us they have strict rules about how and where zoos can obtain animals.
Spokesperson Steve Feldman said they have no complaints against Chambers and "PETA has neither the credibility or expertise to comment on this."
Benchimol said she's known Chambers 15 years and trusts him.
"He's a good guy and he runs a very clean business."
Chambers said another zoo has expressed interest in Taji, but for now…
"He's going to come here and live near some of the adult lions I have and learn to be a lion himself and not have anything to worry about."
The folks at the Capron Park Zoo will definitely miss Taji. Since his arrival, attendance has been up.
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