"They seem to be treated well here."
Perched on the steps of the sea lion pool, Céline observes the ballet of these mammals with wonder.
Since 11 am, the Brestoise accompanied by her children has been traveling the fourteen hectares of the Paris zoo.
“The children absolutely wanted to come to the zoo.
I booked the tickets at the beginning of September, ”
explains the mother, who is passing through Paris.
Under fire from critics, the zoo remains a privileged destination for families, to the chagrin of Alexandra Savisens.
“I have the impression that they are in prison when I look at them.
For mammals, the enclosures do not represent their natural environment, they are often too small ”,
laments the co-founder of Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) in front of the enclosure of the snow leopards at the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes.
This association campaigns so that animals are no longer imprisoned, exhibited or killed for entertainment and leisure.
In order, at least so she claims to create a more just world where animals will live in peace, by our side.
Read also What are the major animal protection laws since 1850?
The association has just obtained a first victory with the final adoption in the Senate of the bill on animal protection. This clearly stipulates the progressive prohibition of wild animals in circuses and dolphinariums, but also that of the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops and tougher penalties for abuse or abandonment. Its goal ? Strengthen the link between animals and humans in line with legislation on animals since 1850. A law that does not include sections concerning zoos.
The day after, of its adoption by 332 votes in favor, against one against and ten abstentions, Hélène Thouy, presidential candidate for the animalist party, considers this law
"insufficient"
.
"80% of wild animals live locked in buildings or in cages barely larger than an A4 page about chickens,"
she said, Friday, November 19, at the microphone of Europe 1 .
Read alsoPuy-de-Dôme: the former owner of a zoo sentenced for animal abuse
In the alleys of the oldest zoo in Europe, antispeciesist Alexandra Savisens points to each unsuitable installation.
“In these aviaries dating from the 19th century, the owls cannot even fly.
Orangutans are confined to playing with plastic bottles and flamingos have been mutilated so they can no longer fly.
It's terrible ”,
castigates Alexandra Savisens under her mask.
Critics swept away by management
"We increased the size of enclosures such as that of the gaur (wild bovid) at the menagerie and those of the wild animals at the time of the reopening of the Paris zoological park in 2014. Our choices are made according to the good -being of the animal is essential. "
Faced with this “anti-zoo” discourse, some visitors recall the benefits of these parks. "
These places allow the conservation of species, it's a good thing for biodiversity,"
says Jacques, 70, facing the lemur enclosure. An argument refuted by Alexandra Savisens.
“60% of species in zoos are not threatened with extinction. That is to say that they are locked up for free just after destroying their natural habitat, and that, for the pleasure of the eyes. I call it double punishment, ”she
laments
.
Inside the tropical greenhouse, opinions are more nuanced. While Amélia, 7 years old, sticks her nose to the windows to try to see the Lamentin, Clémentine her mother wonders about the treatment of animals:
"I come for my daughter, but it is true that I ask myself. questions regarding the treatment of animals. Especially for big cats who need space. "
In order to improve the quality of life of animals in zoos, the Ministry of Ecological Transition is planning better supervision. In collaboration with animal rights associations and zoos, the government wishes to introduce new standards, such as
"taking into account the temperature of the enclosure or basin, the multiplication of shadow areas and the compulsory enrichment of the enclosure ”.
Measures not applied for the moment regrets Alexandra Morette, president of the Code Animal association. Before concluding:
"These are just words, nothing has been concretely put into practice for animal welfare in these spaces."
Cinema, theater, music ... The student journalists of
IPJ, the Practical Institute of Journalism of the University of Paris Dauphine
, offer their perspective on cultural news.
IPJ Dauphine
