MIAMI -- Animal advocates want people to know what they say is Metro Zoo's dirty secret.

"We believe the public would be horrified to find out that many of the animals [that come to] the zoo might end up shot by hunters, in the exotic meat market or end up living in deplorable roadside zoos, like Edith," said Holly Bowman, of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida.

Edith's story made headlines last year when the chimpanzee was found living in a filthy cement pit at a Texas roadside zoo. Feces and rotting food were among the filth.

Edith once called Metro Zoo home.

"Once these animals become old or sick, they have a system to get rid of them, giving them to third party dealers so they don't claim responsibility," said Bowman.

Metro Zoo officials said they do not get rid of their aging animals. They said some of the chimpanzees are in their 30s.

When it comes to Edith, Zoo officials said she lived at Metro Zoo for five years, but they said they never owned the chimpanzee. They had her on loan.

Edith is reportedly still living at the zoo in Texas.

Metro Zoo officials said they have a good policy for the animals they own, even after they leave Metro Zoo.

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