The history of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the zoo industry is extensive and highly adversarial. An appropriate treatment of this topic would be voluminous. This is focused on PETA’s current activities regarding the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the AZA’s current strategy regarding PETA.

Given PETA’s prolific anti-zoo history, outrageous behavior, and consistent lack of scruples, it should be apparent to anyone in the zoo industry that an AZA/PETA collaboration is dangerous, short-sighted, and ​naïve​. One only need look at their current messaging regarding zoos to appreciate that PETA has no interest in the long-term survival of the industry. Recklessly facilitating closer ties between PETA and AZA is nothing short of a dereliction of duty by the leadership of the AZA.

Yet, Dan Ashe, CEO of the AZA is doing just that.

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Addition Appeasement	2
PETA at the 2018 AZA Conference	4
Ndume the Gorilla: Unclear Motives	6
Do PETA’s Values Align with AZA?	9
Appendix I: PETA and Affiliate Organizations	21
Appendix II: Delcianna Winders	23
Questions to Consider	24
Affiliations	24
Accomplishments	25
Views on Zoos	26

Portions of articles are excerpted throughout this document. Full text can be found at the provided links.

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 1

AZA and PETA: The Politics of ​Addition ​Appeasement

10/4/2018 - The Politics of Addition (by Dan Ashe)¹

“Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, ‘Politics is human beings; it’s addition rather than subtraction.’

In general, we become stronger as we add others to our community or coalition, and weaker when we subtract or exclude participants. However, how do we work with others, especially when their fundamental values may differ from ours? Should we work with them at all?

Many in our community are voicing their opinions on these topics after seeing, or hearing about a poster by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ annual conference, in Seattle, Wash.

This poster highlighted PETA’s work confronting abuse and neglectful conditions for animals in collaboration with individual AZA members – not AZA itself. However, as I stated during our record-breaking Annual Conference’s general session on Wednesday, I embrace and practice the ‘politics of addition.’ We will work with organizations when our values and objectives align and oppose them when they do not. Some relationships will be more enduring, complete and lasting than others, but none are permanent.

In 1848, England’s Lord Henry John Temple Palmerston said, ‘We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.’

Later, Sir Winston Churchill abbreviated Lord Palmerston’s adage like this, ‘We have no lasting friends, no lasting enemies, only lasting interests.’

We will build relationships and partnerships based upon our lasting interests.

Regarding the specific poster of concern, posters are selected by the conference program committee, which is made up of a diverse assemblage of AZA members from AZA’s committees. The 2018 Program Committee delivered what is, unquestionably, one of the best and most engaging lineups of sessions, speakers, and posters ever assembled for an AZA conference. The individual who presented the PETA poster is, in fact, an AZA individual member, and PETA’s representatives have also attended past conferences and have always acted professionally and respectfully.

Yes, there are some topics about which our organizations disagree. On some, our disagreement is quite strong, and our interests are in diametric opposition. So, that’s why AZA has no ‘partnership’ with PETA. However, that shouldn’t prevent us from working

¹  ​https://www.aza.org/from-the-desk-of-dan-ashe/posts/the-politics-of-addition

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 2

with them when we have aligned interests. We both seek to end illegal wildlife trafficking; to eliminate animal abuse and unethical animal attractions; and to teach people to respect and conserve nature.

As U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director (and an avid waterfowl hunter), I had the responsibility to set the annual seasons, limits and conditions that allowed the harvest (i.e., killing) of several million ducks, geese, and doves each year. I oversaw and authorized the import of thousands of hunting trophies annually. PETA strongly opposes all hunting. However, if I could find common cause to work with them to help prevent the poaching of elephants, or trafficking of pangolin, I wouldn’t let their opposition to hunting get in the way. We would, respectfully, agree to disagree about hunting, and get to work saving elephants and pangolin.

It is in our best interest to do the same, using opportunity and ally to advocate for ourselves and our work. When we develop a more positive relationship with diverse audiences – even if they disagree with us on some things – we increase their awareness and understanding of what we do and reduce the potential for them to treat us as adversaries.

Maya Angelou said it best, ‘We do the best we can with what we know, and when we know better, we do better.’

I believe that having people from animal protection groups attend our conference, as long as they are professional and respectful, positions us to know better and hopefully, do better.”

The member and poster Dan is referring to?

“Finding Common Ground in Animal Law: PETA and AZA Member Representative Partnerships” -​Delcianna Winder​s, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Captive Animal Law Enforcement, PETA

See Appendix II for additional information on Winders, her stance against zoos, and the efforts she has made against the zoo industry.

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 3

PETA at the 2018 AZA Conference

Poster Content:

Objective:​The PETA Foundation’s Captive Animal Law Enforcement (CALE) division partners with experts to confront abusive and neglectful conditions for captive wildlife at unaccredited facilities, including solitary confinement of social animals, barren concrete enclosures, and punishment-induced performances.

Outcomes:​With the help of representatives from AZA facilities, CALE:

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 4

• Secured the first-ever court order prohibiting the declawing of big cats, forcibly separating cubs from their mothers, and using cubs for public encounters.²
• Transferred black bears Ben and Bogey from tiny, barren concrete pens at a roadside zoo [Tregembo Animal Park] in North Carolina to a vast habitat [The Wild Animal Sanctuary, CO] where they can finally climb, dig, run, and hibernate³
• Helped rehome six polar bears who were held by a circus in cramped, overheated cages without access to water for swimming and who were struck and whipped to force them to perform tricks⁴

In the past 5 years, [AZA] member representative [word cut off] helped CALE relocate: 72 bears, 39 big cats, 4 chimpanzees, 1 elephant

The assistance of outside...critical to CALE’s success...placement

assistance..collaborations are essential...achieving the common...protecting captive wildlife. [words cut off in image]

“I partner with PETA to challenge injurious big cat declawing amputations, cub photo-ops that feed the private trade in big cats, and abusive traveling acts because together we can help put an end to the worst forms of exploitation endured by captive wildlife” - Jay Pratte, Omaha Zoo

“PETA supports the implementation of positive reinforcement training and facilitates the relocation of elephants to more appropriate captive environments. Although we may have different views on some topics, our collaborative experiences have been overwhelmingly positive with outcomes resulting in better lives for elephants” - Margaret Whittaker, Creative Animal Behavior Solutions (CABS) (former director of elephant care at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee)

“I’ve helped PETA with cases involving bears and big cats languishing in the worst-of-the-worst conditions at roadside zoos and am thrilled to be a part of the victories this highly successful team helps secure, including rehoming animals and reforming exhibits.” - Darrien Minier, Oakland Zoo

²  ​People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals v. Wildlife in Need & Wildlife in Deed, Inc​., No. 4:17-cv-00186 (S.D.Ind. 2018)

³ Byrd v. Tregembo Animal Park, LLC, No. 17CVD2979 (Dist. Ct., New Hanover County, NC 2017 ⁴ ​People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc​,.v. U.S. Dep’t of Interior. No. 01-02299 (D.D.C. 2001)

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 5

Ndume the Gorilla: Unclear Motives

The controversy surrounding the transfer of Ndume from The Gorilla Foundation to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has been positioned by Dan Ashe as a case of PETA assisting an AZA zoo to move an animal to a better home. The reality of the case is much more complex, and it is yet another example of PETA using the AZA to further its agenda. PETA’s actions are being misinterpreted and misconstrued by AZA as somehow philanthropic.

In fact, PETA is furthering precedents regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA), animal movement, and their status as experts on these topics. A reading of the related court documents demonstrates a much larger agenda, and it is worth noting that PETA does not recognize AZA zoos or the Cincinnati Zoo as being “good” institutions. Furthermore, PETA’s support of Cincinnati is newfound, as they were calling for the removal of AZA’s accreditation in 2016 following the incident involving Harambe the gorilla.

These inherent contradictions were noted by David Casselman, an attorney who routinely works against AZA members (notably the LA Zoo) and is representing The Gorilla Foundation.

1/21/2019 - Opposition to PETA Amicus Curiae Brief⁵

The PETA Amicus Curiae brief represents the second half of a coordinated attack on TGF [The Gorilla Foundation] by CZBG [Cincinnati Zoo] and PETA. Both seem driven by a desire to secure press coverage, with far less apparent concern for the true issue in this case, the life and well-being of Ndume. The two entities are working in coordination, with CZBG providing substantive legal arguments, while PETA (who has never observed the TGF facility) seems focused upon efforts to smear TGF.

While PETA is quick to criticize TGF, it notably fails to mention that CZBG has drawn more than its fair share of USDA citations. Plus, the issues the USDA found at CZBG are far more serious than any found at TGF, including failures that directly led to the shooting and death of a gorilla named Harambe. Neither CZBG nor PETA managed to note that PETA repeatedly chastised CZBG regarding dangerous practices endangering the lives of its animals and the public. Indeed, PETA has gone so far as to request that the AZA revoke their membership accreditation.

“Just as the Pittsburgh Zoo recently forfeited its AZA accreditation because the association took a firm stance on its sensible and prudent safety standards, ​the AZA must reconsider its accreditation of the Cincinnati Zoo​as long as the zoo continues to allow these dangerous elephant encounters."

⁵  ​https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/filings/DAXA3DDY/ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI v THE GORILLA FOUNDATION et al candce-18-06529 0046.0.pdf

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 6

PETA now tries to justify such CZBG efforts, contrary to its own observations about how they treat gorillas. Why did PETA fail to note its own comments on this issue? They clearly know that zoo gorillas live a miserable existence. Indeed, in one of its own press releases, PETA made it quite clear it knows that zoos such as CZBG, cannot even begin to meet the needs of gorillas.⁶

"Gorillas are self-aware. They love, laugh, sing, play, and grieve. Western lowland gorillas are gentle animals. They don't attack unless they're provoked. ... ​Zoos cannot even begin to meet these magnificent animals' complex needs​."]

The Ndume situation, specifically PETA’s involvement and “collaboration” with AZA, has become a talking point for Dan.

2/2019 - Attractions Magazine⁷

While most members of the public support and see the necessity and benet of zoos for wildlife and conservation, others oppose it, calling the practice of keeping animals in captivity unethical. This is a regular challenge faced by Ashe. Based on the words of former US Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, who said: “Politics is human beings; it’s an addition rather than subtraction” – Ashe says he practices “the politics of addition,” believing we become stronger as we add others to our community or coalition and weaker when we exclude participants. “When we develop a more positive relationship with diverse audiences – even if they disagree with us on some things – we increase their awareness and understanding of what we do and reduce the potential for them to treat us as adversaries. Recently, we saw the benets of this approach, when PETA supported the Cincinnati Zoo in efforts to rescue a gorilla being held in a solitary ‘sanctuary’. “In that instance, with PETA’s backing, the zoo has led a lawsuit in the federal district court in San Francisco seeking to compel the Gorilla Foundation in California to release the gorilla – Ndume – a gorilla isolated from its own species following the death of his companion Koko. If transferred back to the zoo, he could live in a multigenerational group. The outcome of the case is still to be determined, but it shows a rare collaboration between an anti-zoo group such as PETA with a zoo, with shared interests for the greater good. “It’s in our best interest to work with other organisations on issues in which we both agree, using opportunity and allies to advocate for our work,” Ashe says.

6/14/2019​- ​Walking the Talk of Animal Welfare: The Story of Cincinnati Zoo and Ndume the Gorilla by Dan Ashe⁸

They say, “If you’re going to talk-the-talk, then be prepared to walk-the-walk.” Talk is cheap and easy, but progress and accomplishment requires investment of talent and treasure, and a willingness to accept the risk of falling short or failure.

⁶  ​https://www.peta.org/blog/gorilla-pays-with-life-for-others-negligence/

⁷   ​http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/index.cfm?pagetype=features&codeID=33750

⁸  ​https://www.aza.org/from-the-desk-of-dan-ashe/posts/cincinnati-zoo-ndume-the-gorilla-and- walking-the-talk

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 7

Honestly, the easiest thing for Cincinnati to do would have been to let Ndume stay at TGF. Just move on. No one would have blamed them. Emboldened by recommendations from AZA’s Taxon Advisory Group and Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, and a clear signal of support from animal protection organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), they moved forward.

For their part, PETA joined as an amicus (“friend”) before the court and supported Cincinnati. This combined effort demonstrated to all observers a clear united front on behalf of Ndume between zoological and animal welfare professionals.

My favorite definition of courage is when someone follows their belief and does what they know is right, even when the price may be more than they want to pay.

Now that all is said and done, what has been done speaks most loudly.

July 2, 2019

A curated list of reasons why there should be no discussion of “politics of addition” with PETA:

- PETA’s tactics against zoos and aquariums include:

• Facilitating protests and providing related materials
• Interfering with permits and transportation
• Advocating unfavorable legislation and regulation
• Developing and implementing negative public relations campaigns
• Illegal infiltration and undercover investigations¹⁰
• Providing support to groups engaging in local anti-zoo efforts

⁹  ​https://twitter.com/DanAshe/status/1146191633634996224

¹⁰ ​https://www.animalactivistwatch.com/peta/peta-may-have-broken-law-by-snooping-on-zoo-court- rules/

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 8

PETA has been identified by the FBI as having known ties to domestic terrorism groups.¹¹

Extensive general information available about PETA:

●      https://www.activistfacts.com/organizations/21-people-for-the-ethical-treat…

●      https://www.petakillsanimals.com/?fbclid=IwAR0GwAZF5NaYwVLwIqHV4qwN1y-v Oyfx6J5wn7W8TXF_SPHR2GKwxQo0-OU

PETA is fighting a war, while we seek a policy of appeasement. How long do we persist in this failing strategy? How do we move forward when our leaders will not defend and protect the industry?

Do PETA’s Values Align with AZA?

AZA has no “partnership” with PETA. However, that shouldn’t prevent us from working with them when we have aligned interests. We both seek to end illegal wildlife trafficking; to eliminate animal abuse and unethical animal attractions; and to teach people to respect and conserve nature.

- Dan Ashe, 10/4/2018

PETA has an open stance against zoos and aquariums of all types. How can AZA and PETA align if there is disagreement about the entire existence of the AZA’s member institutions? What is AZA without its institutions?

¹¹ ​https://oig.justice.gov/special/s1009r.pdf

¹² ​https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/animals-used-entertainment-factsheets/zoos- pitiful-prisons/

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 9

¹³ https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/animals-used-entertainment-factsheets/ zoos-pitiful-prisons/

¹⁴ ​https://www facebook.com/official.peta/photos/a.55746449585/10157709822479586/?type=3& xts %5B0%5 D=68.ARBc3NjO-yUZ pVY3orqbE-lNEV4SLrLLPSlqF4v3oXD4LFtf6m63DjTs0hOxNlHy6QDWLPyNwza0-Bcl ICkNFs68n7kjrZKL6igXU BVBtrPjtWth1MpOWeI2n-cmhwESUwf9B1t3khcXYqFhdFbsjX6fj1cW Zl6ToMkL hfQVsLF9Rh9N5iHOw9N4-JTxp6D5 4wlvc fT-HXXqRqKxLbXloYpbNe1C3c9KLgJxBAC20sUXe4eyJKTDXe XOsVwZJ79Zm4B7l-N4-8vSGLV uVqxN0ixMym0qvOWFTri1EKU1gWu-rHOOvKAnnnh ZJauBH4bbL08wG1 -fCWn1GhvIHxbieQFCux4wHxWjuTw& tn =-R

¹⁵ ​https://www facebook.com/official.peta/photos/a.55746449585/10157709901079586/?type=3& xts %5B0%5 D=68.ARDVnROmxGTPOTWi MM9GS5BtpebnEsw9JW v53oNqOqjpY15DGid5 hG7CPD8Y7nZ6zp2C6JYaM WD2g7ZVby9AQiWg4aqYrL5LSIbWZuc Fb ZdPz9G O-uBvjVIz2Pi22gm9CL3qyl89fWuZBWwhwFBW0UcP GVDSPOqSNQtvhCZsPQhVH1VTbv 2AsmcgOPfRQAjgnRQ8mcZ6CO1ORZiylWfD7UMXoV3hWlPf6iHH3gY

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 10

________________________________________

l7kBNm7s4KzJR6ZrE2XImOQJs8AV-u2wBRr7WcZifjw5wLFt1Kc9fB18idSDM6GRTLIGjIdn4bK4baLlhmcNzL mV0vjj9TyHsXrWsWIWusmoGFxwimoyCfYWGO7 9& tn =-R

¹⁶   ​h​ttps://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/whales-dolphins-want-out-new-ads-take-aim-at-seaworld- san-diego/

¹⁷ ​http://orlando-rising.com/central-florida-zoo-plans-massive-85-million-exp​a…

¹⁸ ​https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/nyregion/the-bronx-zoos-loneliest-elephant.html

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 12

Specieism is a focal point for PETA. What is AZA’s stance? Part of the campaign is a specific anti-SeaWorld call-out. SeaWorld is one of those targeted “unethical animal attractions.” How is AZA addressing that PETA is directly attacking AZA members?

-     PETA envisions a future in which sanctuaries replace zoos. What is AZA’s stance on this?

    6/26/2015

-     PETA openly advocates for Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) and “open rescue,” activists forcibly removing animals from facilities. Extremists have repeatedly cut cages and/or stolen animals from AZA institutions. In one instance, an animal rights extremist “liberated” a turtle (Squishy) at the Houston Zoo. Has AZA talked to PETA about open rescue? More importantly, is AZA condemning these thefts?

¹⁹ ​https://www.facebook.com/official.peta/photos/a.55746449585/10157690135859586/?type=3& theater

²⁰ ​https://www nytimes.com/2015/06/28/nyregion/the-bronx-zoos-loneliest-elephant.html

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 13

6/12/2018

[Wayne Hsiung is a co-founder of DxE and the group’s most outspoken leader. He is facing felony charges for multiple open rescues.]

5/31/2019

-       PETA is actively disrupting member institutions, with protestors engaging in criminal trespass and identifying specific individuals within facilities as targets. Is AZA addressing these tactics, which are likely to escalate?

²¹ ​https://www.dailycal.org/2018/06/12/direct-action-everywhere-leader-wayne-hsiung-trial-allegedly-stealing-goat/

²² ​https://www.chron.com/life/article/Animal-bandit-steals-Squishy-turtle-Houston-Zoo- 13903946.php

²³ ​https://orlando-rising.com/peta-protestors-beach-themselves-at-seaworlds-aquatica/

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 14

-       Conservation contributions by zoos are not recognized as meaningful by PETA, nor is the value of captive breeding programs. The group recently condemned artificial insemination techniques as “rape.” Since conservation is AZA’s major focus, how have they addressed these differences in opinions?

²⁸ ​https://www.facebook.com/official.peta/posts/10157683939279586?  xts _

[0]=68.ARBbJEUG-Rs9nW9tnYkAs QJhL595sEakhXgqPUt7kiprG ThnTCeyGkZtEf8Zi Uhju2Lok58cmwz 1qbW8uTWK9m3FVEdbnXD FSiJHgNEGVD8GiIZGB8Rd96nlNMxcnKLeJJrIk-tFFXfKtloDpcq9ecVOqU Yi99K2zS0LjW9uzwBbgw86VFAb3tw13-AMl2aTTsOPusqsHr-UYSDTRrLImZsLBye9JKNibLybem50eJQ ofUnDXeKzB427bZt1M2qKTdHzkLgRrSg-F8vbV 1Ul1ThawaJRYGlqBXfmfTqXozWIPsI gsd6BIBTKiaqI Xyjl4P49BPkjw& tn =-R

²⁹ ​https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1163035/PETA-animal-rights-rhino-san-diego-zoo-safari-park

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 17

³⁰ ​https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/animals-used-entertainment-factsheets/ zoos-pitiful-prisons/

³¹   ​https://www.peta.org/features/zoo-conservation-captive-breeding/

³² ​https://www.peta.org/about-peta/why-peta/predator-reintroduction-programs/

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 18

PETA is opposed to elephants in zoos. How is AZA addressing this difference in views?

-       PETA is actively interfering with animal movement by member facilities. What discussions are happening about that?

2/5/2018​- On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), I submit the following comments in opposition to the Zoological Society of San Diego's ("San Diego") request under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for a permit to import a male elephant calf named Ongard from Zoos Victoria and the Melbourne Zoo to Zoo Miami.³⁴

-       PETA’s Website (as of 6/16/2019) is anti-captivity.

●      No language regarding AZA/accreditation

●      No compromise, no equivocation

³³ ​https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/zoos/elephant-free-zoos/

³⁴ ​ht​tps://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/PETA comments opposing PRT-57017CSubmittedbyZoologicalSocietyofSanDiego.pdf

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 19

35 https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/zoos-pseudo-santuaries/

36 https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/animals-used-entertainment-factsheets/zoos-pitiful-prisons/

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 20

Appendix I: PETA and Affiliate Organizations

The concept of the “politics of addition” means that we will suffer from the transitive property - the adverse impact of PETA’s network as the organization gains more knowledge of and access to the zoo industry. What other anti-zoo organizations are part of PETA’s network? What challenges will this present in the future?

A sampling of organizations with anti-zoo activities that collaborate with PETA:

• Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)
• Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)
• Born Free USA
• Care2
• CompassionWorks International (CWI)
• Direct Action Everywhere (DxE)
• Empty the Tanks
• Equal Justice Alliance
• Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
• In Defense of Animals (IDA)
• North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA)
• One Green Planet
• Orca Network
• Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
• Whale Sanctuary Project

Arizona

• Keepers of the Wild California
• Los Angeles for Animals
• Lions, Tigers, and Bears
• Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Colorado
• The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS)

Florida

• Big Cat Rescue

Minnesota

• The Wildcat Sanctuary New York
• Direct Action Everywhere (DxE)
• Long Island Orchestrating for Nature (LION)
• Protest SeaWorld NYC

• Total Liberation New York

  
  

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 21

Oregon

-       Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants (FOZE) Tennessee

-       The Elephant Sanctuary

Washington

-       Friends of the Woodland Park Zoo Elephants

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 22

Appendix II: Delcianna Winders

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Lewis and Clark Law School  

• AZA member and conference attendee, with a focus on attending sessions regarding government affairs and litigation.
• At the forefront of legal and regulatory challenges to captive wildlife.
• Has successfully forged relationships within the zoo community, despite very outspoken anti-zoo views.
• Recently put at the head of the newly formed Animal Litigation Clinic at the Lewis and Clark Law School. It is unknown if she is going to pivot back to her Farm Sanctuary background, or if she is going to use this position to gain access to students, which are a source of pro bono labor and message amplification.

Facebook: ​http://www.facebook.com/delci.winders

Twitter: ​http://www.twitter.com/DelciannaW

LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/delcianna-winders-3a601211/

Overview: ​https://www.activistfacts.com/person/delcianna-winders/

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 23

Questions to Consider:

Why is Dan Ashe providing a platform for someone who has made her anti-zoo agenda abundantly clear in the course of her career?

Why is Delci Winders an AZA member and attending conferences if she is in direct violation of member standards?

AZA Code of Conduct³⁸

Areas of possible violation included below

Mandatory Standards (required)

• A member shall not engage in conduct that adversely affects, or is prejudicial to, the concepts and ideals of the AZA.
• A member shall issue no statement to the public which he/she knows (or should know) to be false or misleading.

Affiliations

Current

• Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, PETA Foundation (6/17-present) ​[current status unclear with new role at Lewis and Clark]
• Professor and Director, Animal Law Litigation Clinic at Lewis and Clark Law School (5/19-present)
• Animal Law and Policy Fellow, Harvard Law School (8/15-present)
• Adjunct Faculty, Vermont Law School (7/17-present)

__________________________________________

³⁷ ​https://twitter.com/DanAshe/status/1146191633634996224

³⁸ ​https://www.aza.org/code-of-ethics

AZA and PETA: The Politics of Appeasement (8/2019) - 24

Previous

• Deputy General Counsel, Captive Animal Law Enforcement, PETA Foundation (4/10-7/15)
• Director of Legal Campaigns, Farm Sanctuary (4/09-3/10)

Education

• NY University School of Law, JD, Law (‘03-‘06)
• University of California, BA, Legal Studies (‘97-‘01)

Conference Participation of Note

• International Captive Wildlife Conference, speaker (hosted by Performing Animal Welfare Society) (11/16)
• Animal Welfare Act at 50, initiated (hosted by Harvard Law School) (2017)
• Free the Elephants Conference, panelist (hosted by Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants) (4/18)
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums, poster presentation (9/18)
• International Captive Wildlife Conference, speaker (hosted by Performing Animal Welfare Society) (11/18)

Accomplishments³⁹

• “Following PETA complaints, enforcement requests, and meetings with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was ordered to pay $270,000—the largest fine of its kind in U.S. history—for dozens of violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The circus has since shuttered, and numerous other circuses have either also gone dark or stopped forcing wild animals to perform.
• After Winders filed a series of lawsuits against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) challenging its issuance of permits to outfits like Ringling Bros. and other circuses to haul endangered animals abroad for use in circus acts, all such exports ended. One of these challenges, against the Tarzan Zerbini Circus’ export of elephants for acts in Canada, resulted in the revocation of the permit—and today, ​no circuses in the country tour with wild animals.
• As a result of a lawsuit filed by Winders, the FWS reversed its more than 30-year practice of secretly issuing permits to harm, harass, buy, and sell endangered animals in violation of federal law and subsequently denied many of these types of permits.

³⁹ ​http://www.bemagazine.org/delcianna-winders/

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• Winders worked with residents in North Carolina to file a lawsuit that enabled Ben—a bear who paced constantly in a tiny and virtually barren concrete cage at a roadside zoo for six years—to be transferred to a sanctuary in California, where he now forages, bathes, and relaxes under trees in a vast natural habitat. Since then, her team has helped to secure the freedom of more than 60 bears held captive at roadside zoos across the U.S.
• Winders is now leading the charge in and outside of PETA regarding legal challenges to the USDA’s recent assault on transparency, which began with the removal of thousands of records pertaining to the agency’s enforcement of the AWA from its website in February 2017. Since then, her team has published many of the scrubbed documents, filed a lawsuit against the agency over the blackout, and more.”

Views on Zoos

Selected quotes from various publications. The full articles are available at the provided links.

8/27/2013 - Isn’t it time to shut our zoos?⁴⁰ -

Selected portions of editorial by Delci Winders with wide distribution, including ​Philadelphia Inquirer:

In zoos, aquariums and theme parks all over North America, tigers pace the length of their cages looking for relief that never comes. Birds are crammed into cages where they can barely spread their wings, much less fly.

The few bears who aren't forced to stand on concrete leave paw impressions in the dirt, where they step in the same spots over and over again. Elephants rock and sway like automatons with no "off" switch.

Dolphins swim in endless circles.

The unmitigated monotony of captive animals' existence goes far beyond mere boredom. Renowned oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau reported that he was forever changed after witnessing a captive dolphin commit suicide by ramming his head into a tank's wall.

Orcas in theme-park tanks break off their teeth by trying to chew through the metal bars that separate their pools.

Caged chimpanzees chew their own fingers until they are raw and bleeding. U.S. laws that govern captive animals are astonishingly minimal. Cage-size regulations, for example, require only that animals be given enough space to make "normal postural and social adjustments." In practice, that means that a cage is "large" enough if an animal can stand up, lie down, turn and move around a bit.

⁴⁰ ​https://www.inquirer.com/philly/opinion/20130827 Isn t it time to shut our zoos .html

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We consider ourselves to be progressive and compassionate, but continuing to imprison intelligent social animals from birth to death simply for our own amusement is neither.

6/11/2014 - On Cheyenne Mountain Elephant Transfer⁴¹

Not everyone believes sending an elephant to Cheyenne Mountain is the best choice "Just being able to be out in that large amount of space [that a sanctuary can provide] and roam is one of the best things for that animal to have," she says, "and she's not going to have that at a zoo."

6/26/2015 - The Bronx Zoo’s Loneliest Elephant⁴²

Later this summer, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to file a complaint with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on behalf of Happy and 15 other elephants housed alone or in pairs. Delcianna Winders, a lawyer for the PETA Foundation, argues that keeping just one or two elephants is not only cruel, it also violates the trade group’s own professional standards. “These zoos should be stripped of their accreditation,” she said. “Otherwise accreditation is meaningless.” In PETA’s perfect world, “accredited zoos would shift to a sanctuary model,” Ms. Winders suggested, explaining that they would “take in the tens of thousands of animals that are in roadside zoos, or living as pets in people’s living rooms and backyards.”

7/15/2015 - On the Future of Zoos43

...as the Ringling announcement foretells, the tide is definitely turning. People are increasingly questioning the morality of putting wild animals on display. SeaWorld’s ticket sales and profits are down because more and more people are concluding that it’s wrong to keep orcas and dolphins in concrete prisons and force them to perform.

We’ll see the end of elephants (and possibly all wild animals) in circuses, the end of orcas in captivity, and a shift in the priorities of zoos accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums toward rescuing animals (e.g., from circuses) and away from breeding and exhibiting. I’m so grateful to PETA’s Augustus Club members for helping turn these dreams into real possibilities.

⁴¹ ​https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/not-everyone-believes-sending-an-elephant-to-cheyenne-mountain-is-the-

⁴²   ​https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/nyregion/the-bronx-zoos-loneliest-elephant.html

⁴³   ​https://prime.peta.org/2015/07/meet-peta-foundations-deputy-general-counsel-of-captive-animal-law-enforcement/

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4/2018 - Panelist at Free the Elephants, coordinated by Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants⁴⁴

“I would be remiss in not acknowledging that in a number of ESA cases on behalf of lions and tigers particularly, sometimes in the case of bears, some individual members from the zoo industry have served as experts in our litigation, have helped with getting animals to sanctuary. So I think there is perhaps some opportunity there.”

9/2018 - Poster Presentation at AZA Conference:

⁴⁴ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsf-2Q3PTMg

⁴⁵ ​https://www.humanewatch.org/why-is-aza-allowing-peta-in-its-conference/

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10/2018 - Dan Ashe’s Explanation: “The Politics of Addition”⁴⁶

“This poster highlighted PETA’s work confronting abuse and neglectful conditions for animals in collaboration with individual AZA members – not AZA itself. However, as I stated during our record-breaking Annual Conference’s general session on Wednesday, I embrace and practice the ‘politics of addition.’ We will work with organizations when our values and objectives align and oppose them when they do not. Some relationships will be more enduring, complete and lasting than others, but none are permanent. Regarding the specific poster of concern, posters are selected by the conference program committee, which is made up of a diverse assemblage of AZA members from AZA’s committees. The 2018 Program Committee delivered what is, unquestionably, one of the best and most e​ngaging lineups of sessions, speakers, and posters ever assembled for an AZA conference. The individual who presented the PETA poster is, in fact, an AZA individual member, and PETA’s representatives have also attended past conferences and have always acted professionally and respectfully.

Yes, there are some topics about which our organizations disagree. On some, our disagreement is quite strong, and our interests are in diametric opposition. So, that’s why AZA has no ‘partnership’ with PETA. However, that shouldn’t prevent us from working with them when we have aligned interests. We both seek to end illegal wildlife trafficking; to eliminate animal abuse and unethical animal attractions; and to teach people to respect and conserve nature.”

⁴⁶ ​https://www.aza.org/from-the-desk-of-dan-ashe/posts/the-politics-of-addition

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