Billy's Fate to be Announced Tomorrow

1/27/09
Zoo supporters came out by buss full dressed in green zoo t-shirts to support a special meeting called by councilman Labonge. Labonge, the chair in support of the zoo had a panel of experts testify for about 1 1/2 hours to the detriment of Billy's best interest and freedom. Public comment followed and the meeting adjourned. Tomorrow is the final decision when the full council will be present.

GLAZA, the Zoo's supporting foundation has offered to help fund the part of $42 mill exhibit. Several unions were there crying economy problems arguing the importance to build the exhibit. Labonge tried to offset arguments he anticipates hearing tomorrow in effort circumvent them before they are presented. Labonge argued it would be too expensive to transport Billy to sanctuary and exaggerated the cost at over $2 mil. Among other claims, Labonge attempted to tally expenses allegedly expected for the care of other animals in the exhibit should they lose Billy, as additional expenses they would otherwise not be faced with; when in reality the animals he listed were all animals the zoo already cares for. This is just one example of Labonge's strategy and approach. Cardenes did a good job poking holes in the Labonge' expert statements, for example the actual cost for transporting billy is estimated at $1.3 mill and then announced that Bob barker was made a commitment to donate $1.5 mill to get Billy to sanctuary.

It was also made evident that the zoo plans to try and breed elephants in their new exhibit and that they would lose that opportunity if Billy went to sanctuary. They came out and stated that Billy is valuable to them for breeding purposes. They further argued that keeping elephants in zoos is the answer to conservation and education, regardless of how they might suffer there. They made one thing quite clear; the zoo's agenda should be the first priority. It's hard to predict what the council will do tomorrow.