This latest news story has me greatly concerned for the survivability of the Wild Animal Sanctuary as it is growing by leaps and bound. You may recall 25 former WAO bears also went to this sanctuary. Unlike the bears, these cats will require a tremendous amount of food, which at this time, is rather expensive. These animals will require enclosures and vet care. Will these 25 additions take away from the care given to the former WAO bears and the rest of the WAS animals? Am I the only one worried that WAS, who happened to declare in 2006 that it was broke, may collapse under the weight of all these animals and end up closing like the WAO did in 2010?
http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-denver/rescued-circus-lions-bound-for-sanctuary-near-denver
Rescued circus lions bound for sanctuary near Denver
January 18th, 2011 2:50 pm MT.
There are many people who come to Denver to get a new start to life.
Now, 25 lions are getting that chance as well.
In what is being labeled an “historic and record-breaking animal rescue”, 25 circus lions will be airlifted to the Denver area as part of a rescue operation by Animal Defenders International (ADI).
The former circus lions have been seized by ADI from circuses throughout Bolivia where they lived in “shocking” conditions, the group said. They were removed from the country in December of 2010 and flown to a temporary holding area in Santa Cruz, California. Their final destination is the 80-acre Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, about 41 miles northeast of Denver.
“Their new lives will really begin there, so we just need to get them there and that is the real challenge,” said Jan Creamer, ADI President. “These animals who for years knew only a small, cramped cage will have freedom to roam, run and play.”
The ADI website says the lions were malnourished, thin and dehydrated and living in small cages on wheels. In one instance, eight lions were housed in a cage slightly bigger than two double beds that was placed on the back of a truck.
With the help of Bolivian authorities, the organization collected 17 lions in November, five more in December and the final lion in January. Because of their efforts, the ADI states, Bolivia became the first country in the world to ban the use of animals in circuses.
All of the lions will be airlifted from Santa Cruz to the Sanctuary at the same time, the ADI explains, in an effort to minimize the time they are apart from each other.
“It means that our veterinary team can oversee the lions throughout the flight,” Creamer said. “We also believe that this will be the safest and most efficient way to move the lions, but it is a huge undertaking.”
While the lions receive vaccinations and crates are being built to transport them, The ADI is currently seeking assistance from airline freight companies and even the U.S. military in getting the lions to the Sanctuary.
At their new home, the lions will be released into a new “state-of-the-art habitat” complete with lakes and grasslands, which the ADI states is similar to their natural surroundings.
Past Reminders:
http://denver.yourhub.com/Denver/Stories/News/How-to-Get-Involved/Story~114048.aspx
America's largest wild animal sanctuary closing
by: Toni Scalera
Sanctuary executive director Pat Craig with a rescued African lion.Provided by: Wild Animal Sanctuary
Article Contributed on: 8/15/2006 12:51:49 PM
DENVER -- The Wild Animal Sanctuary (also known as Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center) has announced the non-profit sanctuary for lions, tigers, bears and other dangerous carnivores is closing. Devastated by the negative effects of world-wide disasters in 2005, the sanctuary will be forced to close its doors -- leaving more than 150 wild animals homeless. The 140-acre sanctuary was the largest of its kind in the United States, but now its residents face an uncertain future as their caretakers scramble to find alternatives to euthanasia.
Like many other non-profit animal organizations in the U.S., the Colorado-based rescue organization was devastated financially last year when their donations all but disappeared as people shifted their support towards helping tsunami, hurricane, and earthquake victims. The sanctuary fell into major debt last year as donations dwindled and the year wore on -- and even though they did receive some renewed support late in the year, the funds that came in were not substantial enough to allow the organization to fully recover. Facing massive shortfalls, management has decided that it is in the animals' best interests to close its rescue operations as soon as possible.
The sanctuary, which has operated in Colorado for nearly 27 years, is home to more than 150 lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves and other carnivores that were originally confiscated from illegal "pet" situations by law enforcement agencies. The sanctuary will do everything in its power to try and find new homes for the animals, however, there are very few organizations in the United States that have the ability to take these kinds of animals in, so placing all the animals will be a very difficult.
"Most people logically expect their local zoo could take these animals in," says the Sanctuary's executive director, Pat Craig, "but that isn't the case. The fact is that almost every zoo in the country already has a serious surplus problem of their own, and are unable to help in situations like these."
The 140-acre sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the U.S., as the facility has more large carnivores than any other large carnivore sanctuary, including 75 tigers, 30 bears, 20 mountain lions, and dozens of leopards, African lions and other big cats. "The only way we will be able to place this many animals is with ample time," said Craig, "as it's going to take an incredible amount of work to find that many homes, and to also get the animals moved across the country when new homes are found."
However the Sanctuary doesn't have sufficient time to accomplish their goal of placing 100% of the animals since it costs over $15,000 per week to operate the facility and their operating funds have been completely depleted. "We may be able to stay open for another week or two, at best, so if we don't find more resources right away we will be forced to close before new homes can be found for each animal," said Craig. "Any support we can get right now will allow us to stay open another day... and each additional day we get will increase the odds for saving another life."
Our immediate focus is to find homes for the animals and get them transported. We will be continuously trying to raise funds to that end, as well as to meet other needs, such as food, utilities, equipment payments, and paying people to help close the Sanctuary.
In the unlikely event that we have anything left after the animals are relocated and all debts are paid, any extra proceeds, fixtures and equipment must, by law, be turned over to another non-profit.
Wild Animal Sanctuary Pat Craig, Sanctuary Director asked me to post this link for all of you. Due to the economy the Wild Animal Sanctuary is in need of help. Spread the word, come visit, and make donations! Thanks!--KB
http://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/urgent
www.wildanimalsanctuary.orgwww.wildanimalsanctuary.org
June 25, 2009 at 1:36am · View Feedback (10)Hide Feedback (10) · Share.
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