Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo Plans Massive Condom Giveaway To Prevent Human Overpopulation

Chris White - Energy Reporter Julian Braun, a spokesman with the Lincoln 07/03/2017 Park Zoo, told The Daily Caller News Foun- dation that the condom handout is part of the zoo’s exclusive adults only after hours event One of Chicago’s largest zoos plans on giv- happening throughout the remainder of this ing away more than 700 condoms Thursday year. as part of a new program designed to help prevent overpopulation. “In the past 50 years, as human population has more than doubled, wildlife populations have The event is meant to promote the debut of been halved. World Population Day was des- “Pillow Talk,” a program from environmen- ignated by the United Nations in 1989 to raise talists at the Center for Biological Diversity awareness about global population issues,” (CBD). Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is part- according to the activist group’s statement. nering with the group to show a connec- tion between human population growth and Pillow Talk will be a feature in more than 15 wildlife extinction. cities this summer, including areas in Colora- do, Texas, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Alaska. “People may recognize that we’re crowding Volunteers will distribute thousands of con- out monarch butterflies and horned lizards, doms in selected cities, and answer questions but they often don’t realize that there’s a about the environmental impact of human big way individuals can make a difference,” overpopulation on endangered animals. Sarah Baillie, a population and sustainability intern at CBD, wrote in a press statement an- CBD’s events comes as the group continues to nouncing the event. rail against the Department of Interior’s deci- sion earlier this month to delist grizzly bears Some of the most colorful condom packages after 42 years on the Endangered Species List. include slogans like “Wrap with care, save the polar bear” and “Before it gets any hot- “This outrageously irresponsible decision ter, remember the sea otter.” ignores the best available science. Grizzly conservation has made significant strides, but the work to restore these beautiful bears has a long way to go,” Andrea Santarsiere, an attor- ney with the group, wrote in June. CBD has been crusading against President Donald Trump’s pledge to build a wall be- tween the U.S. and Mexico. The group wants the courts to halt construction of the presi- dent’s border wall, arguing it will harm sensi- tive ecosystems and impede the movement of endangered species, specifically jaguars.

“Endangered species like jaguars and ocelots don’t observe international boundaries and should not be sacrificed for unnecessary bor- der militarization,” Kierán Suckling, CBD’s executive director, said in April.

CBD argues the Department of Homeland Se- curity must conduct an environmental assess- ment of the wall before they can begin build- ing it. The conservationist group believes the wall will harm the environment.