ADVOCATING FOR ANIMALS AT SAN FRANCISCO ZOO

EMAIL:clazsf@gmail.com Call:(415)287-3360

Citizens Lobbying for Animals in Zoos (CLAZ) started in Sacramento, California in 1996 by 13 year old Justin Barker. Barker started the organization to advocate for animals in the Sacramento Zoo. He worked with zoo keepers, union officials and animal experts to push for better conditions and management at the zoo.

Barker organized coalitions with Animal Protection Institute and The Council for Excellence in Zoo Animal Management to successfully bring media attention to the substandard conditions at the zoo. After pressuring the Association of Zoos and Aquariums The Sacramento Zoo’s accreditation was suspended for poor management. CLAZ recommendation to close the polar bear and cheetah exhibits took place 4 years later.

In 1996, CLAZ took on a new Campaign that would make international headlines. The Roseville Bear Relocation Project mobilized thousands of individuals and government officials to close the aging Roseville Park Zoo. After raising over $250,000, the zoo was closed and its last remaining residents, two black bears, were successfully relocated to Folsom Zoo Sanctuary.

In 2008, CLAZ was relaunched to advocate for the welfare of animals at the San Francisco Zoo and offer the public easily accessible information  and insight into the zoos practices.

The organization has already began building coalitions with citizens, zoo insiders and animal experts to ensure city officials respond the zoo’s managements problems and ultimately create a zoo that is focused on animal welfare.

Justin Barker, 26, is the organizations director and a San Francisco resident. Through his work with CLAZ, connections with animal experts and experience as an enrichment keeper at Zoo Ave in Costa Rica, Barker has in depth knowledge about the needs of animals in zoos