On December 17, 2005, I left the WAO to pursue justice for the animals.
On December 17, 2009, I returned to the WAO to help Nicole Garcia save the WAO.
Two years later this date, the WAO is essentially no more. The last of the tigers left the Talley Road property leaving about 107 primates at the mercy of the Reiningers and Cryers. I can only pray Born Free visits the primates regularly to make sure the survive the winter and continue to receive proper diet and enrichment.
Every year like clockwork I feel sad during the week of the 17th as I can only imagine how different things would be if only... But it was not meant to be.
It's hard to believe that in less than three months, the last of the WAO animals will finally move on and thankfully, so will I.
In the meantime, I was able to learn a little more about three tigers, originally from South Dakota, now living in Florida:
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 4:45 PM
To: 'christine@cswildlife.org'
Subject: Former WAO Tigers
To: 'christine@cswildlife.org'
Subject: Former WAO Tigers
Dear Christine:
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Kristina and I am a former WAO animal caretaker of over 10 years, and I’ve been following the relocation of the WAO animals as they traveled to their new homes.
Congratulations in receiving three of the WAO’s tigers. I understand Carson Springs Wildlife accepted three out of the four former South Dakota tigers (that used to live together at the Leslie Road facility until they were relocated to Talley Road) whom arrived at the WAO back in December 2001.
I understand you took in Konan (male), Misha (female), and Shaniah (female). We never did learn what happened to Kineisha (female), the three tigers’ sibling, as she seemed to have just simply disappeared from the WAO earlier this year.
I was hoping you could provide me details on the health status of the tigers along with a few pictures of the three cats enjoying their new home. A friend of mine let me know that your organization posted a couple of pictures of two tigers on your Facebook page, but no picture of the three cats together.
Needless to say, we are thrilled that the last three tigers left the WAO this week and have found a new home that will provide them with food, medical care, and enrichment they so richly deserve! We (myself and several volunteers) would love some insight on how the cats are adjusting to their new home and how they fared on their long trip to Florida! Any information (and pictures) would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much –
Warm regards,
Kristina
From: christine@cswildlife.org [mailto:christine@cswildlife.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 5:13 PM
To: Kristina Brunner
Subject: Re: Former WAO Tigers
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 5:13 PM
To: Kristina Brunner
Subject: Re: Former WAO Tigers
Hi Kristina,
We have Konan, Misha and Kenisha.
They arrived in excellent condition due to the great job of Loving Hands Transport. Unloaded well and are currently in their lock out enclosure for the night. We wanted them to settle in before going in their 10,000 square foot regular enclosure. Since they are so content we will let them out tomorrow. See and please like our Face book page . Photos are there. Many more tomorrow.
They seem in good health those not very muscled which I think is from not having lots of room and climbing things and their age. Konan and Misha are a bit chubby. Not a bad thing. They all got their own whole turkey for dinner tonight.
Have do not know any history of WAO or how many cats were originally there. Maybe you could fill me in.
Never heard the name Shaniah.
Christine
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 6:52 PM
To: 'christine@cswildlife.org'
Subject: RE: Former WAO Tigers
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 6:52 PM
To: 'christine@cswildlife.org'
Subject: RE: Former WAO Tigers
Greetings again, Christine,
Thank you very much for responding so quickly! I, and I know several others, are relieved the cats arrived without incident! I will “see and like” your FB page to learn more about the tigers!!
I was saddened to learn that it was Shaniah who passed away, but relieved to learn Kineisha arrived okay! News of animal deaths at the WAO for the last two years have been sketchy at best, so I guess it’s not surprising that the wrong tiger’s name was communicated to me earlier this summer. In any case, I’ve known these tigers since their arrival at the WAO back in December 2001. I’ve included two links of the former South Dakota tigers so you can read for yourself their past history prior to their arrival at the WAO.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, December 5, 2001 (ENS) - Twenty-two lions and tigers have been rescued from "unacceptable conditions" at a facility in South Dakota, the International Fund for Animal Welfare announced today.
The big cats - including lions as well as Siberian, Bengal and white tigers and cubs - have been sent to the Wild Animal Orphanage in San Antonio, Texas.
The cats were used by Ken Alvarez, owner of Gate Keepers Animal Sanctuary, who took cubs produced from these animals to arrange fee for picture photo opportunities at fairs and large functions throughout the U.S. As he traveled with the cubs, he left the adult animals on a secluded piece of property 15 miles from Rapid City.
Alvarez had left for Mexico leaving just $30 with an inexperienced ranch hand for food. The animals were kept in groups of three or four in makeshift 10 foot by 20 foot cages. The cages offered no shelter or bedding, and contained more than three weeks of urine and fecal matter.
Several of the animals had infected wounds, and many were suffering from degenerating diseases such as rickets.
After local citizens became alarmed by the neglect of these animals, the local group Wild Cat Valley and the Humane Society of Black Hills became involved and contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate. The USDA agreed to seize the cats if a suitable sanctuary could be found to accept and care for them on a permanent basis. Wild Animal Orphanage agreed to accept all of the animals and the first 13 will arrive Thursday morning. The remaining animals will be relocated in about three weeks.
Wildlife experts said the move highlights the need for tighter U.S. laws covering exotic pets, and for enhanced public education regarding the risks involved in owning big cats.
"People need to understand the tremendous responsibility involved with taking on the care of these exotic animals," said Carol Asvestas, director of the Wild Animal Orphanage. "These animals require a lifetime commitment that can be very costly and at times dangerous."
"Dozens of 'big cats' still sit on waiting lists desperate for homes, some in even worse conditions," noted Shirley Minshew, IFAW emergency relief director for North America. "We need tighter laws that make it illegal for 'big cats' to find their way in to private homes and roadside zoos through sales by breeders or at auctions."
End.
Sadly, the only survivors left of the South Dakota tigers are the ones you currently have and five others living in Indiana– the rest died at the WAO. The majority of the tigers that were taken to the WAO were either a few months old or under a year. There was also one lion survivor, that left the WAO named IFAW, and he is currently living in Nevada. He was also about a year old when he first arrived at the WAO in 2001.
I don’t know what you have heard about the WAO’s history, but suffice to say the animals never received the care they truly deserved. Hence why the cats arrived with poor muscle tone. The cats had no enrichment until late 2009 and sadly, it ended essentially in 2010, and don’t even get me started about their diet! Horrendous!! I noticed there is still a lot of hanging skin under Konan’s belly, which gives you an idea of just how big he was at one time. Thankfully, the USDA intervened in 2009, preventing the starvation of the WAO animals (see USDA reports on-line for 2009 – no meat or primate food was found on two separate visits to the WAO) allowing a few organizations to send in a tone of meat, essentially saving the WAO big cats from death.
The reason why I asked about the tigers’ health is because many other sanctuaries reported their former WAO cats arriving with vitamin and mineral deficiencies, among other health concerns. I would highly recommend having your vet draw blood to determine if they too are vitamin deficient or if they are experiencing other serious health conditions (I am aware of three big cats diagnosed with cancer upon arrival at their new home).
While I was heartbroken to learn the WAO finally closed its doors, I was elated that so many of the WAO animals went to really good homes! It is fabulous to see the animals happy and enjoying themselves in their new homes, even after a year later. Too often the WAO animals looked depressed and very unhappy at both the Leslie and Talley Road facilities—they were essential animals living in small cages, with very little to do, living on hard-packed ground that felt like concrete with very little vegetation that was alive and certainly no platforms to jump up on or exciting toys to enrich their lives! And yea! They will finally be able to roll around in grass for the first time ever!!
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| I took this picutre on April 10, 2010 |
So again, thank you so much for taking in Konan, Misha and Kenisha. They are such love bugs, always playful and loving attention! I’ve included a picture of them so you can get an idea of how cute they are together! I miss them very much and pray for their happiness in their new home with you! Now, I shall mourn the loss of Shaniah and rejoice that Kineisha is alive and well -
Warm Regards,
Kristina
From: christine@cswildlife.org [mailto:christine@cswildlife.org]
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 5:29 AM
To: Kristina Brunner
Subject: Re: Former WAO Tigers
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 5:29 AM
To: Kristina Brunner
Subject: Re: Former WAO Tigers
I appreciate the info even though it makes me cry. They truly have a really good home now and real fresh meat every day. One Tiger we got last year had so little muscle tone she could barely jump on her stand. Now she's an acrobat.
They also get vitamins daily and will be examined by a vet.
Will send more photos soon. Thank you
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 6:34 AM
To: 'christine@cswildlife.org'
Subject: RE: Former WAO Tigers
To: 'christine@cswildlife.org'
Subject: RE: Former WAO Tigers
This is really great news! Thanks, Christine! I look forward to seeing the pictures of the 3 together…wish it was four…oh well…I’m just thrilled they will finally have some fun in their lives! I’d love to hear any fun updates on the cats, so please feel free to share any time! Kris
As promised, here are a few pictures I found on Carson Springs' Facebook page:
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary
Truck arrived bringing Tigers from Texas
December 15, 2011
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary |
Koko (fka Konan) the male is about 500 pounds. Hard to push with soft tires
December 15, 2011
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary
They were very content and rode well in air conditioned trailer.
December 15, 2011
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Number one volunteer Lydia gets the honor of the first release.
December 15, 2011
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary
Happy Tigers.
December 15, 2011
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary New Tiger having first turkey dinner in new home. Born in S Dakota 10 years ago. Came into Sanctuary life after outgrew the 40 pound limit for photo tigers. All 4 feet declawed. Went to San Antonio until that sanctuary went bankrupt. Now a home for life with her other 2 enclosure mates , one of which is her brother.
December 15, 2011
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary Out in the big grassy enclosure. Misha and Kela on their giant stand. They are all rolling on the grass and walking around in wonder.
December 16, 2011
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Koko thinks he is king of the stand.
December 16, 2011
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary
Koko on one of the houses.
December 16, 2011
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Kela. Aka Kinesha lounging after a day of play and walking around her giant enclosure. All very sweet and seem so appreciative
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So, Shanniah died at the WAO, cause unknown, and I'll probably never know the real reason, at the age of about 10 1/2 years. It's heartbreaking to add her name to the list of animals that died at the WAO. I am also relieved Konan lives. Like Shanniah, Konan is such a sweet cat.
Something tells me that before all the WAO animals leave the Talley Road property, more will die.
I would hate to be the new owners of the Talley Road land, once it sells. Can you imagine all the bodies that will be dug up if land developers try to build houses or commercial buildings on this property.
So, God Bless Shaniah in Heaven. She was such a love bug and she will be missed.
And God Bless Konan, Kineisha, and Misha in their new home. I pray that they enjoy and thrive in their new Florida environment!
And thus ends the 6th year of the start of the WAO investigation. When will this case ever end? Next year?
Later:
Unbelieveable. Found this posting on Facebook dated today. Sadly, WCH and WCS also posted basically the same FB posting.
Thank God the animals found new homes, no thanks to the USDA and all their failures.
Later: Misha and Konan look really good in their new home!
Later:
Unbelieveable. Found this posting on Facebook dated today. Sadly, WCH and WCS also posted basically the same FB posting.
International Exotic Animal SanctuaryToo bad the USDA "team" didn't do something YEARS ago to save the 80+ WAO animals that died during the course of the investigation.
We just heard some wonderful news…the rest of the big cats needing rescued from Wild Animal Orphanage are now resting in their new home. In August, IEAS rescued two tigers from WAO. Danvir and Sajani are enjoying their second chance at a quality life. Sajani loves just about anyone who comes to visit. Remember, if you are still looking for a last minute Christmas gift, adopt Sajani or another amazing animal at IEAS!
"I just wanted to extend my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all of you who worked so hard to offer help, transportation, expertise, and wonderful new homes to over 70 big cats from WAO that have now all been placed! It was a great team eff...ort and could not have been done without everyone's help. The last three tigers left on Wednesday and arrived yesterday to their wonderful new home.
Thank you all from me and the USDA team, and I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday and a prosperous New Year."
Fondly,
Laurie J. Gage, DVM, Dipl ACZM/Field Specialist for Big Cats and Marine Mammals
Thank God the animals found new homes, no thanks to the USDA and all their failures.
Later: Misha and Konan look really good in their new home!
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| Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation & Sanctuary Koko and Misha. Happy new Tigers 12.20.11 |
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