Oakland Zoo Supports Global March for Elephants and Rhinos

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 Oakland Zoo staff, volunteers, and zoo supporters will join forces with local grassroots organization, March For Elephants, San Francisco (MFE), in a march to spread awareness about the ivory crisis and the thousands of African elephants and rhinos that are dying each year in the name of ivory and rhino horn.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) September 29, 2015

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 Oakland Zoo staff, volunteers, and zoo supporters will join forces with local grassroots organization, March For Elephants, San Francisco (MFE), in a march to spread awareness about the ivory crisis and the thousands of African elephants and rhinos that are dying each year in the name of ivory and rhino horn. The 1.6 mile march will start in San Francisco at 10:30am at Jefferson Park Square, located on Gough Street, and will end with a Rally at United Nations Plaza, located at McAllister Street and Leavenworth Street. For parade route information, go to: http://marchforelephants.org/2015-sf-march-info/. The San Francisco march on October 3rd is part of a global march that includes more than 130 cities around the world ? the most participants to date in this annual event.

"Oakland Zoo is proud to stand beside March For Elephants, for the 2015 Global March for Elephants and Rhinos in San Francisco,? said Gina Kinzley, Co-Elephant Manager at Oakland Zoo. ?The time has never been better to march and rally on behalf of these magnificent beings, with AB 96 on the Governor?s desk, a bill that Oakland Zoo has co-sponsored, now is the time to stop the ivory trade in California. Please join us!"

According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, 96 elephants are being killed each day for their ivory tusks. One rhino is killed every seven to eleven hours and extinction is looming. March for Elephants, SF, is a team of Bay Area activists taking action against extinction by inviting the public to join the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos and raise awareness about these animals before it is too late. Many conservationists believe that if something isn?t done to stop the slaughter of elephants in Africa, these animals could become extinct within the next ten to fifteen years. Rhinos could be extinct in fifteen years or sooner.

At the conclusion of the march, a rally at United Nations Plaza will take place, featuring several dynamic speakers: Wendie Wendt (Keynote Speaker) of ROCK THE ELEPHANT, Pat Cuviello, Animal Rights Activist, Toni Frohoff of IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS, Wayne Hsiung of Direct Action Everywhere, Gina Kinzley of Oakland Zoo, Jamey Ponte of KUAPO, and Ed Stewart of PAWS.

This event is part of an international effort to engage the public, educate, and grow awareness in regard to the elephant and rhino crisis. According to March for Elephants, SF, China is the world?s largest market for illegal ivory. San Francisco plays a major role in the illegal ivory trade and according to a survey by the Natural Resources Defense Council, up to 80% of ivory in San Francisco is illegal under current law. While there are state and federal laws that prohibit the import and sale of some types of ivory, there are multiple loopholes that make enforcement of those laws almost impossible. Assembly Bill 96 is a bill that would get rid of the loopholes and prohibit the sale and purchase of ivory in the State of California. AB96 is on Governor Jerry Brown?s desk awaiting his signature. If he signs the bill, ivory will be banned in California in July of 2016. For more information on AB96, go to: https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB96/id/1062151

ABOUT MARCH FOR ELEPHANTS, SAN FRANCISCO:
MFE is a grassroots volunteer organization based in San Francisco that works on behalf of earth?s last elephants and rhinos. We are a group of dedicated advocates, lobbying strategically to promote local and global awareness about the elephant and rhino crises, calling for governments to take immediate action to end poaching in range nations, and demanding an end to the ivory and rhino horn trade at all levels: locally, nationally and internationally.

You can help us by marching for elephants in October. Learn more by visiting http://marchforelephants.org/2015-sf-march-info/

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Julie Callahan
jcstars(at)earthlink(dot)net
408-981-4134
http://www.MarchForElephants.org
https://twitter.com/march4elephants
https://www.facebook.com/events/1613044038927147/

ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO:
Oakland Zoo is outspoken when it comes to elephants. The Zoo is home to four African elephants, three females and one male. Their names are Donna, Lisa, M?Dunda, and Osh. More than six acres make up their expansive exhibit, which includes a swimming pool, trees, hills, and areas for dust bathing, which is a natural behavior among elephants. The elephants are managed with protected contact, meaning zookeepers and elephants do not share the same space; bull hooks are not used. The animals are never forced to do anything they do not want to do; instead, they are rewarded with treats for participating with foot care, morning routines, and health exams. Ten spreads (scattering of food throughout the exhibit) are done each day to encourage foraging and exercise. Truckloads of browse or tree branches are collected and donated from surrounding areas, to ensure the proper diet is given to the animals.

The Bay Area's award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many educational programs and kid's activities perfect for science field trips, family day trips and exciting birthday parties. Oakland Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation onsite and worldwide. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb12991689.htm