An undercover tour went to the pseudo-sanctuary today to see how many cougars and tigers were left on the touring property. The tour reported the cages looked unclean compared to the last time the tour visited the property in 2008. My guess is the directors did not report to work today (and probably NOT for the entire holiday weekend) so the workers are probably slacking off again.
The tour guide told the tour that the cougars, housed in the back, would probably not return to the cougar compound, which incidentally was built for three cougars around 1998. According to the guide, the surviving cougars will probably be relocated to the second property. I guess out of 'site', out of mind, applies since no one will ask any more embarrassing questions about the few cougars left at the so-called sanctuary. The tour guide would not disclose the number of cougars living in the back part of the property, hidden from public view.
The wolf pup, Looky, was seen on tour living in 1/2 of the former cougar compound area. The other 1/2 of the enclosure is empty. Cinder blocks were seen outside the second half of the enclosure, presumably to be used to build 'shelter boxes" for either tigers or lions. Are they expecting a new shipment of animals? I hope not!
There did not appear to be any additional empty cages. However, the tour only saw one tiger living in the back near the cougars--the tour did not see the second tiger and lioness. Are they still alive? Or are they casualties as well?
Beauty, the surviving female liger, was alive and living alone. Bubba, the white tiger, was alive as well.
The tortoises are living in a new enclosure across from Lance and Leyla (tigers).
The tour guide reported the big cats were fed that morning and from what little remained of the big cats' food, it appears the meat was not chicken, but some other type of meat. Finally, are they being fed "prepared" meat?
Apparently the facility hired a second new "animal caretaker" as it was overheard the new employee would need to be taken under the "wings" of a more experienced "animal caretaker." According to the tour, the two new employees appeared very young (19-22 years of age) and neither one appeared to have any animal care experience. Great.
This is so typical as the pseudo-sanctuary as it would never hire an experienced exotic wild animal caretaker. Makes me wonder if the new employees have criminal records too...and I wonder who quit recently?
Meanwhile, another local on-line magazine writer picked up on the pseudo-sanctuary story and was told by the director and attorney, right after to so-called 'press conference,' that the news reporter would be allowed to view the dead animal files at a later date.
Once the promise was made, the director and attorney started ducking the reporter, refusing to set an appointment date to review the files. It's been a couple of weeks, and the reporter was not happy with the WAO lawyer, whom was responsible for setting up the appointment, as he has"disappeared" once again.
From what I understand the reporter is not giving up and will continue to investigate the so-called sanctuary. So much for the animal record transparency promised by the directors at the so-called press conference last month. The so-called sanctuary's own web site said it would post ViVi's necropsy report within a "few days." It's been over a month and where is the report?? Where IS the transparency? Just more lies made by the directors and supported by the board of directors. I've said it before and I'll say it again...what a joke!
The on-line newspaper filed his lawsuit response with the court. This case should get real interesting! According to court public records, the former owner of the 24 New Jersey tigers requested a copy of the lawsuit files.
You know, this has me wondering, how many other sanctuaries out there lack transparency? How many other sanctuaries promise to post pictures, videos, or reports on their websites for people to see, then renege on their promise? Where is the accountability? Where is the honesty and integrity in the animal sanctuary and shelter world? Anyone?
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