Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2011 11:05 PM
To: 'james.anthony@oag.state.tx.us'; 'Robert.M.Gibbens@usda.gov'
Cc: 'christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us'; '2020@abc.com'
Subject: Wild Animal Repo (WAR) and Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO)
VIA E-MAIL :
TO: james.anthony@oag.state.tx.us
Robert.M.Gibbens@usda.gov
CC: christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us
2020@abc.com
Discovery Channel – Viewer Relations
January 16, 2011
Please accept this letter as an addendum to the original complaint letter previously submitted to your Office. The information contained herein pertains to my original complaint regarding alleged misrepresentation perpetrated by the non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization’s owners/operators of the Animal Sanctuary of the United States, d/b/a Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO); f/k/a the Primate Sanctuary of the U.S. (PSUS), f/k/a the National Sanctuary for Retired Research Primates (NSRRP), f/k/a The San Antonio Wildlife Emergency Centre, f/k/a Primate Sanctuary of America ( PSA ); f/k/a Chimp Aid; f/k/a Cat Haven; and f/k/a Feral Cat Rehabilitation Center and Whisker’s and Wag’s Humane Society.
On January 16, 2011 at 8:00pm CSD, I was set to watched and taped a new reality television show titled “Wild Animal Repo”, staring Scott Lope to be featured on the Discovery cable network channel. Unfortunately, I was not able to see the show because, according to Scott Lope’s Facebook page, “…Discovery just pulled a last minute schedule change and Wild Animal Repo has been postponed and will not air tonight.”
Earlier, I found a promotional announcement on the Internet, giving viewers a “sneak peek” into the new series. The “sneak peek” included three videos of depicting animal rescues to be shown on the series premiere: 6-tiger rescue, 22-bear rescue, and capuchin-monkeys rescue. While the “tiger rescue” has nothing to do with the Wild Animal Orphanage’s (WAO) animals, the other two videos I believe, feature WAO monkeys and bears. Scott Lope does not come out and directly say he is filming from the WAO’s Leslie and Talley Road properties, but I have absolutely no doubt the videos were filmed at the WAO sanctuary (not to be confused with a road-side zoo). I immediately recognized the monkeys, bears, cages, and I also recognized Henry Newman operating the front loader.
According to Mr. Lope, the 22 bears were “repo’d” because the owners currently do not have sufficient funds to care for the animals. It was explained during the “sneak peek” video that the bears were bred for the purpose of selling their offspring to either private owners or to research facilities/centers.
Based on this new and highly inflammatory information, I believe it to be imperative that the USDA and the Texas OAG conduct an immediate investigation into whether or not these statements, made on this “sneak peek” video, are in fact true and accurate.
At this time, I am holding back judgment as to whether or not the validity of the claims made by Mr. Lope are true, because of past evidence presented to both federal and local government entities over the last several years of all illegal activities perpetrated by the WAO Board of Directors. It would not surprise me in the least to learn that, along with tens of thousands of dollars misappropriated by the WAO board directors/employees and the numerous documented violations of the Animal Welfare Act, the WAO board of directors/employees were engaged in illegal breeding and selling of WAO animals for their personal gain.
I have no reason to believe that Mr. Lope perpetrated fraud on his potential television viewing audience by claiming facts not known to him, for to do so would put his credibility at risk, possibly losing his opportunity to continue filming “Wild Animal Repo.” Therefore, Mr. Lope’s claims deserve the utmost urgent investigation, prior to the show’s rescheduling date. I believe it is imperative to keep an open mind and not render judgment until after the USDA and the OAG has the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation and well document their findings regarding Mr. Lope’s assertions that the WAO board of directors/employees sold baby bears for money.
I pray the USDA and OAG will continue their investigations into the WAO’s activities so as to learn exactly how many bears were forced to breed; how many live births were recorded; the health condition of the bears when sold; the baby bears’ current location; and the total amount of money the WAO board of directors received as the result of the bear sales to either private owners or research facilities/centers.
I am aware of numerous offspring born at the WAO such as Capuchins; Long-Tailed macaques; Javan macaques; several lions; a bear named Hallie; tigers; and black-spotted leopards. As far as I know, these animals were not sold to the general public or to research facilities/centers. However, it is not much of a stretch to believe the bears may have been used for breeding/profit purposes as it has been well documented that the WAO board of directors and its employees exploited the animals for their personal gain.
In the meantime, I have grave concerns regarding possible violations of the Animal Welfare Act, as witnessed on the “Wild Animal Repo” sneak peek videos:
1. Does Mr. Lope have a USDA exhibitor license? Case law, after case law, has held that if one does any exhibiting of regulated animals, (for a fee or not), that person must have a license/permit.
TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS - Sec. 1.1 Definitions:
"Exhibitor means any person (public or private) exhibiting any animals, which were purchased in commerce or the intended distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the public for compensation, as determined by the Secretary. This term includes carnivals, circuses, animal acts, zoos, and educational exhibits, exhibiting such animals whether operated for profit or not."
I am sure the production company is not filming the “repo’d” animals’ relocation for free. Therefore, showing the animals while not under the care or control of an “actual exhibitor” is in violation of operating without a license. Mr. Lope made it very clear in the presentation he had the decision making authority when it came to moving the animals from various facilities to their new homes, and in some case, across state lines.
Even if the facilities still maintain a license, as soon as the “repo” team leaves with the animals, they are then no longer on the facilities’ licenses.
2. In watching the video of Scott Lope’s attempts to cage the tigers and capuchin monkeys, it was very clear to me that he and the camera crew were making the chaotic situation much worse, ultimately causing more harm than good for the animals.
TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS - Sec. 2.131 Handling of animals.
(a) All licensees who maintain wild or exotic animals must demonstrate adequate experience and knowledge of the species they maintain.
(b) (1) Handling of all animals shall be done as expeditiously and carefully as possible in a manner that does not cause trauma, overheating, excessive cooling, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort.
(2) (i) Physical abuse shall not be used to train, work, or otherwise handle animals.
(2)(c)(1) During public exhibition, any animal must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and to the public, with sufficient distance and/or barriers between the animal and the general viewing public so as to assure the safety of animals and the public.
It was obvious to me that these animals were super stressed. Mr. Lope, being a "self-proclaimed" animal handler of such animals, should have known there were better ways of moving animals from their accustomed homes to much smaller transport cages, so as to reduce the traumatic stress levels of the animals and prevent injury (i.e. tiger paw caught under the fence, etc.) in violation of Sec 2.131 (b) 1,
OR, Mr. Lope is in fact did not demonstrate adequate experience and knowledge of the species he/they maintain in violation of Sec 2.131 (a).
The self-imposed deadlines that Mr. Lope established in moving the animals out of their accustomed enclosures into the transport cages increased the risk of injury not only for the animals, but to his person, including the work crews around him. The animals were not in any imminent danger, requiring a immediate evacuation from their enclosures. This new reality show seems to be focused on exhibiting the animals, showing the public how dangerous it can for Mr. Lope to move exotic animals, rather than focusing on the animals’ mental and physical well-being during their stressful relocation.
In conclusion, it is my prayer that the USDA and OAG fully investigate the validity of Mr. Lope’s statements and determine whether or not he violated sections of the Animal Welfare Act. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kristina Brunner
Video Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3wh5rfU05U – Monkey Business
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWugK0L_UPY – Tiger Repo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecqYBa8-h4Y – 22 Bear Repo
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