An alderman says it may be time for aldermen to resume serving on the board of the Calgary Zoo.
The suggestion comes after the Calgary Zoo admitted two if its three capybaras died in their care.
One of the capybaras died last summer shortly after it arrived but the Zoo did not go public about the death until Saturday. The Zoo now admits it was attacked by another capybara while in captivity.
In recent years, the Calgary Zoo has reported other deaths including two baby elephants, 41 stingrays and a goat.
The Zoo receives $6-milion, yearly, in funding from the city and Alderman Bob Hawkesworth thinks it's a shame aldermen no longer serve on the boards of some publicly funded facilities.
"The groups we are talking about, the major attractions, may have missed out themselves by no longer having direct access to council and administration," says Hawkesworth.
Hawkesworth says he doesn't think having an alderman on the board would have prevented any animal deaths but it may help with governance.
An external review of the Zoo's operations is now underway and involves officials from the Canadian Association of Zoo and Aquariums as well as its American counterpart.
