Every year, for the last five years, I have written the USDA, begging them to make sure the WAO animals are protected from the chilling elements. It has been well documented that animals were found dead after a big freeze. All I can do is write letters. I just wish there was more I could do for the animals. This just breaks my heart, not knowing who will live and who will die after this big storm passes...
From: Kristina Brunner
To: Robert.M.Gibbens@usda.gov
Cc: Ray.M.Flynn@aphis.usda.gov
Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 9:17:55 AM
Subject: Extreme Cold Weather at WAO
Dear Dr. Gibbens;
For the next several days, the WAO will be under extreme cold weather conditions due to the arctic weather moving into San Antonio. It is being reported that the wind chill factor over night will dip to zero degrees. The above ground water lines will undoubted freeze over for the next several days, thereby depriving the animals of fresh water.
It is imperative that the workers put out alternate water containers for all the primates and big cats still at Talley Road (as I am under the impression the Leslie Road animals were relocated to Talley), today! These additional water containers will need to be monitored often to ensure it does not freeze over as well. The big cats will need lots of hay in their shelter boxes to help protect them from the chilling winds. The wolfdogs will also need hay in their shelter "igloos" as well. Effort also needs to be made to protect the feral cats from this weather by leaving the Talley Road warehouse door slightly open to allow the animals inside for protection.
The primates lucky enough to go into the heated boxes (as lower ranking monkeys may not be allowed in the heat boxes by the higher ranking monkeys) will not want to go outside the boxes for food or water. Therefore water and food must be placed right next to the boxes so as not to expose the animals to hypothermia. The wind will be very cold throughout the day and nighttime hours and so I pray that the monks not allowed in the heat boxes have some place to escape these chilling winds.
It has been documented that every time the WAO experiences extreme cold weather conditions, several monkeys die either from exposure or from dehydration. I believe with the prediction of snow on Thursday, makes it is imperative that the USDA assists the WAO in preparation of tonight's freezing temperatures, which is expected to last until Saturday.
I realize I have no standing to write this email asking for help from the USDA once again, however, based on past WAO care practices, the animal caretakers cannot be allowed to continue on as "business as usual" during this freeze. Too many documented animals have died due to the animal caretakers' past inept are during weather conditions such as this. Therefore, I highly encourage the USDA to visit the Talley Road facility to check on the animals to ensure they are receiving heat, food, and water for the next four days.
Thank you for your attention in this matter -
Regards,
Kristina Brunner
http://www.woai.com/weather/alertdetail.aspx?DetailID=1018579
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Bexar, TX
Issued at 6:32 AM Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Expires at 3:00 PM Tuesday, February 01, 2011
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX 620
AM CST TUE FEB 1 2011 ...MAJOR ARCTIC OUTBREAK UNDERWAY WITH CHANCES FOR SNOW
THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY... THE COLDEST AIRMASS SO FAR THIS WINTER SEASON
WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA TODAY BEHIND THE ARCTIC COLD FRONT THAT PASSED THROUGH
EARLY THIS MORNING. STRONG NORTH WINDS BEHIND THE FRONT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
WEDNESDAY. WIND CHILL VALUES IN THE SINGLE DIGITS ARE EXPECTED TUESDAY NIGHT
INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...WITH SOME WIND CHILL READINGS FALLING BELOW ZERO
ACROSS THE HILL COUNTRY. THE COLD WEATHER PATTERN WILL REMAIN ENTRENCHED ACROSS
SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY. BY THURSDAY...AN UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCE WILL APPROACH TEXAS AND BRING A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW THURSDAY NIGHT
INTO FRIDAY. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS SHOULD BE LIGHT...BUT ANY SNOW THAT REACHES THE
COLD GROUND WILL STICK. THE BEST CHANCES FOR ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL BE EAST OF
INTERSTATE 35 AND CLOSER TO THE COAST. RESIDENTS SHOULD PROTECT TENDER
PLANTS...PIPES...PETS AND LIVESTOCK. THOSE WITH TRAVEL INTERESTS THIS WEEK
SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST WEATHER FORECASTS AND MAKE PREPARATIONS TO ACCOUNT
FOR A POSSIBLE SNOW EVENT. RIDERS PARTICIPATING IN THE SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW
AND RODEO TRAIL RIDE SHOULD PREPARE FOR BITTER COLD TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
GO TO WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/EWX...OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR THE LATEST
INFORMATION...FORECASTS...WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES ON THIS UNFOLDING WINTER
WEATHER EVENT.
Today
Windy, High 48°, Low 20°
Tomorrow
Partly Sunny, High 35°, Low 16°
Thursday
Cold, High 35°, Low 24°
Friday
Sunny, High 43°, Low 30°
Saturday
Sunny, High 61°, Low 36°
LATER:
Looks like I was right, the water bowls did freeze as seen in the picture below:
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| Tiger licking ice that formed in water bowl. The water lines are probably frozen too. |
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| I'll bet the tigers were surprised to see the snow! |
Carol Asvestas would always get upset when she'd catch me breaking up the ice in the animals' water bowels so the big cats and other animals could drink fresh water. She would always say "the animals get enough water from licking the ice."
It appears Carol's teachings are still alive and well at the Talley Road facility.
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