  This is the response I have received from the St. Augustine Farm & 
Zoological Park. I'll let ya'll draw your own conclusions:
 
  Jaime,
 
        As you requested, I would like to take this opportunity to 
respond to your letter regarding using Guinea Pigs as food items for 
animals in our collection.  I do wish you had contacted us directly in 
order to get the facts of the situation before starting a somewhat 
misleading and ill-informed online petition requesting we stop what is 
a commonly accepted practice in zoo's across the country.
 
        While some people do consider Guinea Pigs to be pets, they are 
also a common diet for several different taxa of animals in zoological 
collections, including birds of prey, large cats, and reptiles.  It's 
important to note that the Guinea pigs we purchase are farmed raised 
by the thousands for the sole purpose of being food items.  Any whole 
animal products we purchase for zoo diets were never meant to be 
anyone's pet, and we would never take in someone's ex-pet if offered.  
All the animals we use for food are purchased from a facility that 
humanely euthanizes all their food stock.  Keep in mind, Guinea pigs, 
like rabbits or chickens, are also consumed as a regular part of the 
diet for many people throughout the Americas.  In Peru alone, over 65 
million Guinea pigs are raised for human consumption each year.  It is 
also commonly found on menus in this country at many Latin American 
restaurants.   
 
        I do understand your feelings in this matter but it is 
important to keep in perspective that Guinea pigs, in fact, were 
domesticated to be food items.  Just as cattle, pigs and chickens, 
these animals have historically been farm raised for consumption.  I 
respect your right to petition this practice but I am compelled to 
ask, if you do continue the campaign, that you remove the statement 
leading people to believe we are feeding out someone's pet.  This is 
simply inaccurate and could amount to misleading people into signing 
the petition.
 
        I would be more than willing to discuss this matter with you 
further if you have any other questions or concerns.  I can be reached 
at the number below Sunday-Thursday, 8-5.  If I am not in my office, 
leave a message and I will be sure to call you back.
 
Sincerely, 
   
David Kledzik
Curator of Reptiles
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Zoological Park
(904) 824-3337 ext. 15
www.alligatorfarm.com  

 



~Jaime, Molly, Radar, Grumpy Carl, & Albert always in our hearts~
http://www.piggiepages1.blinkz.com/ 



