New campaign is launched to protect SF Zoos remaining big cats.

After spending two months in their small indoor cages the San Francisco Zoo's big cats were released back into their outdoor enclosures yesterday. Glass barriers and electric wiring has been put in place with the hopes that no other zoo visitors are killed or mauled.

Yesterday is also the day that No Lion House campaign launches. No Lion House is a four part campaign that focuses on the needs of animals and public safety.

The campaign will focus on these 4 points:

1) Permanently close The Lion House to visitors and all public events

2) Start a immediate moratorium on any breeding of the big cats. Only 4 years ago a lioness died during pregnancy.

3) Immediately begin the process of phasing out the current exhibit. Closing this 70 year old facility and protecting the public must be the zoos top priority.

4) Build a new lion and tiger facility. The facility should be animal focused, natural, free of concrete and fully enclosed.

No Lion House is the new campaign by Citizens Lobbying for Animals in Zoos. The organization was founded by 13 year old Justin Barker who in now 26 and a San Francisco resident.

Barker was instrumental in the suspension of the Sacramento Zoos AZA accreditation for poor zoo management. His recommendation to relocate the zoo's Polar Bear and was implemented in 2000.

In 1996 after successes at the Sacramento Zoo, Justin made international headlines with a new campaign.

Justin 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 were successfully relocated to Folsom Zoo Sanctuary.

Through his work at CLAZ and as the enrichment keeper at Zoo Ave in Costa Rica, Justin has in depth knowledge about the needs of animals in zoos.

Justin Barker, with broad community support is going to ensure that San Francisco closes its outdated exhibit for good. Glass walls and electric fences is not enough. Bigger steps must be taken to ensure that these animals get the care they deserve and that the public is not in danger"

Visit nolionhouse.com for more information. Please sign the petition on the Get Active link!