WCS Strikes Back at Paterson

New York's Governor David Paterson has proposed budget cuts of almost 50 percent for the state's zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens, but they aren't going to lose their funding quietly. The Wildlife Conservation Society (operator of the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo)has struck back on You Tube of all places.

The WCS shot a video called, "Parrots Make Bad Secretaries" which it features on the front page of wcs.org, is available on YouTube, and was sent to active members of the WCS via email in mid-February.

The video, which lasts for 1:21 seconds, opens with three newspapers slamming down on a desk. The three papers, "The New York News," "New York Review," and "Daily Muse," look strikingly similar to "The New York Times," "New York Post," and "Daily News," respectively. The first two papers show headlines that refer to Albany making budget cuts in zoological areas while the banner on the "Daily Muse" reads, "Albany to NY's Plants and Animals: Drop Dead."

The film then transitions to the office of the director of the Bronx Zoo two days later and shows him escorting a delivery agent through an office that is staffed by exotic animals. While walking the agent to the desk of a winged-package recipient, the director explains that despite the thousands of jobs, education to the next generation, and millions of dollars in revenue that the Bronx Zoo generates for the state of New York, the state has cut his budget in half and he is trying to make due.

After the parrot is asked to sign for his package, the video closes with a screen that says, "Animals shouldn't do these jobs. New Yorkers should. Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Aquariums = Jobs."

None of the WCS's propaganda is outwardly directed towards New York State's controversial governor, though you after watching the video through their website, you are given an option to fill out an electronic petition that gets emailed directly to Governor Paterson along with several other New York State officials.

I for one applaud the WCS for taking a proactive stance in showing just how ludicrous the governor's proposal is. Paterson was not elected by the people and the people have been very open in suggesting that he does not run for a second term, so it is mind-boggling to me that he has the audacity to propose cutting thousands of jobs from organizations that provide an educational public service. Perhaps his parents never gave him the opportunity to enjoy or learn from these resources as a child, but for those children who have had that opportunity, it is truly a blessing.

The Bronx Zoo lies in a very urban environment where it is surrounded by children who could never afford to take advantage of it should the state pull funding. The zoo provides a public service every Wednesday by opening its doors for free and it negotiates group rates for schools to ensure that every child can benefit from exposure to some of the world's most beautiful creatures.

Outside of New York City, the WCS takes part in conservation and rescue efforts all over the world. The WCS works diligently to preserve the environments of endangered species. The WCS represents creatures who do not have the ability to represent themselves.

Governor Paterson and the rest of the politicians in Albany who think that cutting funding to the zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens is a good idea should be ashamed of themselves. Once again, I applaud the WCS and the Bronx Zoo for standing up to Paterson with a video that is both entertaining and educational, just like the zoo.