HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-08-26 CorrespondenceThe University of Iowa Department of Zoology tJL)
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�' �� r �• _- -- - Iowa City, Iowa 52242 -
-=iNool� 319/353-5751
Aug. 20, 1975
Mr. Ed`Czarnecki, Mayor
City of=Iowd City
Civic Center, 410 East Washington
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear Mr. Czarnecki,
As a consequence of the recent correspondence concerning ,the keeping of
leopards in the Iowa City zoo, 'I have found out (or had confirmed) certain
circumstances that I find truly surprising, and merit being taken up by the,
City Council. These are as follows: -
1. Decisions as to which animals are to be acquired for the Iowa City zoo
are not made by -the zoo director, who is trained -in wildlife but -rather 'by
'the'7rector of Parks, who has a degree in horticulture -(I am told). Should not
the primary -decision -about zoo occupants be made-.by..a.zoo director,.subject-.to
-:veto-only on budgetary- grounds?
2. I also found out that zoo budget is indeed tight. -This doesn't surprise
me one -=bit. But_then why bring in large, meat 'eating animalsT Meat'is expensive,
leopards tend to eat a`lot, and you are likely to 'find your veterinary, bills high -
also. It would be a pity -i£"the leopards eat ,up the whole zoo bulget,'leaving
little or nothing for the really interesting animals, such as the'prAirie dogs
of the beautiful prairie dog colony.
3. I have also had confirmed the fact that winter facilities are far from
perfect. 'This adds another very strong argument for a zoo devoted to local
animals an argument 'that 'didn't -occur to us when we;wrote our earlier. letter.
That is, `local `animals -can take the cold,tropical animals can't. So if the<
winter facilities are _.inadequately;heated or drafty, -the animals that have been
evolved to take cold winters will do much better than animals` removed from'the
tropics,"
One final comment. 'I have a three year old daughter, and have taken her to the
zoo several times. She is fascinated by the.prairie dogs -'as other children are
also - because_they'do things. They are animals leading a nearly "normal" life in
a nearly normal habitat. She didn'teven notice the 'leopard, `who was just sitting
around and moping. The object of a zoo should be to display animals "doing their
thing" -in as--nearly--normal a manner as possible, not simply to keep living carcasses
on display. -This object can most readily be achieved on ,a tight budget by displaying
animals;=.that.are-mostly small and mostly herbivores. I trxly hope, _mainly for
my and everybody'_s children ' sake, that the Iowa City zoo can be preserved and
strengthened on this basis.
Copies cent to: Sincerely yours,'
'Den Showalter Y
Den Shoxalter -
hick Lane Joseph Frankel! --
Iowa City Press -Citizen - Professor of Zoology
P.S. If the Council does take up this subject, I'd like to be informed of the ti -z.`
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DATE: - August 27, 1975
TO:___Parks_and Recreation Commission
-- --AttentionTom`'Cilek,-- Chairman -
-- FROM: __.-Iowa -City City Council .
"
RE: Referral_
-
At their regular Council meeting on August 26, 1975, the
City Council discussed the letter concerning the leopards at
the City Park sent by Joseph Frankel, Professor of Zoology
at the University of --Iowa. The motion was adopted to
refer the Letter tothe Parks and Recreation` Commission to
consider the present situation with emphasis,on re-evaluation
of our zoo facilities and re-evaLuation of the philosophy on
:-the 'need for -animals to be in a natural habitat.
Ay77
C
Abbie_Stolfus
City Clerk -
s
a
—
September 251975 -
f Mr. Joseph Frankel
j - Professor of Zoology
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa52240
Dear Mr. Frankel:
-
At its regular meeting
of_August 26, 1975, the-City Council
-- `received and placed-on-file
your letter regarding the leopards
in the City Park_Zoo." This
matter has been referred to the Parks
and Recreation Commission.
Mr. Showilter will contact you con-
cerning the date of the meeting.
- We thank you for your
interest in bringing this to the atten- =
-tion of the City-Council.
If we-can be of further service, please
do not hesitate to 'contact
us.
Sincerely yours,
I
r
Neal G. Berlin
City Manager
NGB/nh
-
i
cc: Dennis-Showalter
Tom'Cilek
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