Woman petitions to improve zoo

CLOVIS -- A Clovis woman has started a petition drive asking for improvements at Hillcrest Park Zoo.

Among other things, she wants the larger animals at Hillcrest taken to wildlife conservation facilities, leaving more space for remaining zoo animals.

Jessica Boisseau is a yoga instructor, aerial acrobatic dancer and in training to be a "functional medical dietician." She located to Clovis last spring with her spouse, who is active duty Air Force.

"There are unethical living conditions at Hillcrest Park Zoo," Boisseau said last week when contacted about her petition drive. "This is a problem that no single person is responsible for; it's the way we regard animals as a society."

Hillcrest Park Zoo Director Damian Lechner said he was approached by Boisseau with her concerns over a month ago.

"We are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our past three inspections have shown zero violations," Lechner said. "We are in compliance with the governing body."

But Boisseau said she has witnessed numerous examples of behavior in the animals that she believes indicated they are under stress.

"Their enclosures are too small, they lack adequate enrichment," Boisseau said.  "I do not think they have enough space to compensate for the size of the enclosure."

Boisseau said she has no background in zoo or wildlife management, but she feels "animals have more needs beyond those of basic survival.

"Society's attitude toward animals is like the old adage about the frog in the hot water ... the frog is in the cold water on the stove, you slowly turn up the heat until it is cooked. We have cultivated a comparable situation in terms of animal care."

Boisseau said corrections at the zoo would be a "great opportunity" for positive change and to "serve as an example for others and other roadside attractions."

As one example, Boisseau said the enclosure for Sooner the tiger is too small and he is all alone.

"He seems happy," Boisseau said of the big cat. "But I understand he was quite attached to assistant zookeeper Mark Yannotti, and he misses him."

Yannotti died in June 2021.

The zoo's wolf is also alone. "They're pack animals," Boisseau said.  "They shouldn't be alone."

Boisseau said the two bears at the zoo showed signs of enclosed animal stress -- pacing and groaning and licking the fence.

Boisseau said she wants to see the Association of Zoos and Aquariums certify the Hillcrest Park Zoo. Boisseau described the AZA as "the gold standard" in certifying zoos.

Her petition drive, which can be seen online at change.org, had more than 500 signatures late last week. The goal?

"How many will it take to convince [Mayor] Mike Morris the people of Clovis care about this issue and are willing to vote accordingly?" Boisseau said.

Morris said he believes the zoo is "in good, professional hands."

"The Hillcrest Zoo is a wonderful asset of the community. Our citizens enjoy it, as do people from the region. For instance I ran into some visitors from Fort Sumner there the other day.

"Damian Lechner is a wonderful hire for the city.  He's taken a good zoo with plans to make it even better."

Lechner said he believes the zoo does meet the space requirements for all its animals. He also said there are plans to expand and improve habitats.

Lechner said he offered to work with Boisseau on zoo fundraising efforts, but received no response.

"I am still interested in working with Jessica, to do these things, but she hasn't reached out," Lechner said.  "I would rather work together than against each other."