Helsinki baboons to be granted extra time after public response

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After an unexpectedly vigorous public response, the Helsinki Zoo announced on Monday that they would try to ascertain once more whether an alternative closure could be found for the park's baboons for the next three years while the baboon enclosure, the former Lion Castle, would be being renovated. The Zoo had earlier announced last Friday that the baboons would be done away with, right after the schools' autumn break.
      "We will check out all alternatives. The repair work will last at least for three years, and we should relocate the baboons elsewhere for this period", said Zoo Director Seppo Turunen.
     
A national movement for the baboons, which sprang up last weekend, condemned the Zoo’s earlier decision.
      A pro-baboons movement entitled ProPaviaani surfaced on the Internet, as well as a petition appealing for the sparing of the animals. Even some kind of SMS message about a candle vigil and demonstration was sent around. The most impressive gesture was made by a Helsinki advertising agency, BobHelsinki, which employed Dr. Erkki Kauhanen to conduct a baboons rescue project for a month.
      "The killing of the baboons is not an ethically correct alternative. Now the civic community is expressing its values and its distaste for the idea", said Kauhanen.
      A biologist and Ph. D. in Social Science, Erkki Kauhanen said that he would meet with the management of the Korkeasaari Zoo today, Tuesday. They would first discuss what the requirements would be for the relocation of the baboons.
     
For the time being, the baboons have been promised some extra weeks until the beginning of November - perhaps significantly one week after the municipal elections - whereupon the project is due to result in a proposal to the Zoo management.
      Nevertheless, the Zoo Director does not want to give people false hopes. "For the time being, there are no other acceptable locations for the baboons in Finland", said Turunen.
     
According to the Balai Directive that lays down animal health requirements, baboons must always have a minimum temperature of about twenty degrees Celsius, regulated humidity, natural light and enough room for a troop. Currently, the Zoo is expecting to get a clarification of the directive as well as of the temporary relocation of the baboons from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
      Furthermore, Turunen wants to emphasise that the baboons require professional care even when living in temporary exile elsewhere.
     
Zoo Director Turunen argues that the Helsinki Zoo complies with the ethical standards of both the European Zoo Association (EAZA) and of the World Zoo Association (WAZA).
      Moreover, Turunen adds that baboons are not an endangered species, and it would be wrong to keep the animals in enclosures with less than satisfactory facilities.
      The Director claims that the citizens movement to rescue the baboons came as a surprise, although the baboons were known to be the among the favourite animals of the wider public.
     
Dr. Erkki Kauhanen, who is leading the rescue operation, has been contacted by hundreds of people who have offered ideas to rescue the animals. Even various companies have offered material and voluntary work.
     
The petition on the Internet, the pro baboon movement, and the advertising agency BobHelsinki have all operated alone so far. Admittedly, some sort of cooperation should be started.
      It is known at the Zoo that the putting-down of the baboons would possibly end up in a boycott by visitors. On the other hand, the present situation has resulted in a surge in visitor numbers. A total of more than 2,200 people visited the Helsinki Zoo last weekend, which according to Director Turunen is appreciably more than usual at this time of the year.
      The timing of the call to put the baboons down is a sensitive issue: no candidates or political groupings in the Helsinki municipal election would like to have the stamp of "baboon-slayers" on their foreheads in the run-up to voting.
     


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Dramatic response to calls to do away with Helsinki Zoo baboons (11.10.2004)

Links:
  The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
  World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

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