Remembering Linda Howard

I cannot believe it's been six years since I last spoke with Linda Howard.  She was a true animal warrior who wanted desperately to help the WAO animals, but needed a friend to help her.  As it turned out, she helped me.  When I first wrote the Texas OAG I was so hopeful that this Office would do something to save the animals.  The return letter I received from Charitable Trust made it clear they were not interested in pursing the case.  I was disheartened and afraid that the WAO Board of Directors would get away with all the alleged animal abuse stuff and massive theft.  When I told Linda about the rejection letter, she promised to help me write a new letter that would get the ball rolling.  And she did.  And it worked.  Without her help, the WAO case would have never gotten off the ground and the WAO animals that survived the ordeal today  would never have found great new homes.

Today, I found this posting and picture on Facebook of Linda:

International Primate Protection League

"Remembering Linda Howard
Today is a sad day for me, the sixth anniversary of the tragic death of Linda Howard at the age of 39. Linda was one of the best advocates nonhuman primates ever had and worked closely with IPPL for many years. We really miss her.
Here’s a tribute I posted to Primfocus.
"We at IPPL are just devastated and stunned at the tragic passing of our friend and colleague Linda Howard on 27 July 2006. Linda was just 39 years old. The primates never had a better friend and the primate abusers never had a more formidable foe.
Despite her years of selfless struggle on behalf of our primate cousins, Linda had never seen a wild monkey. In fact she had never left the United States till recently. I felt she should have a chance to see the monkeys for whom she had worked so diligently for decades living in freedom as they were meant to live, and invited her to come with me to attend the International Primatological Society Congress held in Entebbe, Uganda, in late June 2006, and to travel with me afterwards to see monkeys.
Linda was so excited. She got her first passport and endured the battery of shots needs for travel in tropical Africa. We set off for Africa on 23 June. Many field primatologists attend these conferences to present their observations and Linda listened to their talks - and also we heard from some experimenters.
In Uganda they still serve a soda called "Bitter Lemon" not available in the United States. Linda became addicted to this refreshing soda! She was also happy at the availability of good vegetarian food on this carnivorous continent.
After the conference we went up to Murchison Falls National Park in northern Uganda. On the drive up we saw many baboons and every time Linda would insist the driver stop and we would watch the troop until the baboons disappeared from view. We saw the spectacular waterfalls and lots of elephants and hippos along the banks of the Nile. Then we went on to Jacana Lodge in the forested area of Queen Elizabeth Park. Our days there were surely one of the greatest thrill of Linda's life. The trees were full of exquisite colobus monkeys and the more elusive redtail guenons.
One night I was in the lodge reception area and Linda stayed in the room. There was a knock on the door. Linda knew it wasn't a staff member, because they always knock. She opened the door and there stood a mother and baby baboon. It was as if they somehow knew there was a friend behind that door. The baboons made no effort to enter the room, they just stood there a few moments, and left. Linda was totally overjoyed.
Goodbye, sweet Linda. May you rest in peace.”

I will never forget how excited Linda was on her trip to Uganda.  Here's a snippet of an email she was able to send:

Hi Kris,

More soon -- I only have 2 minutes of connection time remaining!

Have a great time and Uganda is AMAZING!  There are olive baboons and vervets all around our lodge so I'm in heaven!!!  Our room overlooks the Nile and we can hear hippos!

Talk to you soon,

Linda

Here are a few pictures she took on her trip!

Vervet friends at Jacana Lodge parking area.  This was our tour vehicle!

Baboons on road through Maragambo Forest

Warthogs and Banded Mongooses at Mweya Safari Lodge

Warthog and Banded Mongooses at Mweya Safari Lodge

Waterbuck in Mweya Penisula

Chimpanzee Island at Entebbe Zoo

Elephants in Mweya Pennisula

Sunrise over Kazinga Channel

 

I loved listening to her describe her trip.  She was so happy.  I pray she has finally found the peace she was looking for in life.  I miss Linda very much.

Okemo's Journey to Heaven Today

This evening, Okemo will be quietly put to sleep.  After speaking with Vicky, I truly believe Okemo is ready to go to Heaven.  He has stopped eating and refuses to get up to greet and talk to her.

I knew his time would be short at In-Sync Exotics once I learned squamous cell carcinoma was eating away his jaw bone back in February of this year.  You can see how much his appearance changed over time...

Okemo on August 16, 2011
(2 days after he arrived at In-Sync Exotics)

Okemo checking out his tub in August 2011

Okemo checking out his playground in August 2011

Okemo's swollen jaw on February 22, 2012

According to In-Sync Exotics' vet, Okemo was sick long before he arrived at In-Sync by at least six months or more.

Okemo after his jaw was drained on February 22, 2012

The day I said goodbye to sweet Okemo on June 17, 2012

Okemo's swollen jaw draining on June 17, 2012

When I last visited Okemo, I told him how I was so sorry I could not get him out of the WAO sooner.  I told him how much I loved him and I asked Jesus to watch over him until it was time to bring him home.  Well, today Jesus will greet Okemo at the gates of Heaven.  

Run wild and free in Heaven Okemo.  You are loved.  You are blessed.  You will be missed.

Dear Lord,

Please bless and keep Okemo in your loving arms forever and ever.  He was a beautiful tiger with a loving spirit and he was very much loved here on Earth by his family and friends.  Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers - Amen.

Later:
Okemo entered Heaven's gates at 6:30pm.  May God bless him always.

This was posted in March 2013:

As I revisit my postings, I am reminded of that day when I was told Okemo was going to be euthanized and I still shed lots of tears over his loss.  I was on the phone with Okemo that fateful day (phone was pressed up to his ear) and as I cried, he slowly passed away.  I don't think I will ever forget that day.

Writing his eulogy for In-Sync was so hard for me.  While I didn't know him very well, he represented to me a life that was saved from the WAO and he deserved a chance at happiness.  Everyone loved Okemo at In-Sync.  I just wish he could have lived a full-rich life.  But it was not meant to be...

Here is what I wrote about Okemo on the In-Sync Exotics' blog:

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2012

Farewell Sweet Okemo

And God asked Okemo’s spirit

Are you ready to come home?

Oh, yes, quite so, replied his precious soul

But, as a tiger, you must know

I am most able to decide when I must go.

Are you coming then? asked God.

Soon, replied our whiskered angel

But I must come slowly

Since my human caretakers are very troubled

For you see, they need me, quite certainly they do.

But don't they understand? asked God

That you'll never leave them?

That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?

That nothing is created or destroyed?

For your spirits are forever and forever more.

Eventually they will understand,

Replied our handsome Okemo

For I will whisper into their hearts

That I am always with them

For I’m just a breath away from forever and forever more…

Our beloved Okemo crossed the Rainbow Bridge on the evening of Friday, July 27, 2012.  The most difficult decision we had to make was to decide when it was time to release Okemo from his failing body.  Our vet, board of directors, staff, those close to him were all consulted, but ultimately, we relied upon Okemo to tell us when he was ready to go.  As hard as it was to accept, Okemo told us last week that it was time.   He stopped eating, refused to get up, or talk to us.  He appeared tired and ready to go "home."

For our new blog followers, allow us to introduce you to Okemo. 

We first met Okemo when we went to the Wild Animal Orphanage to see what kind of help we could offer them.  At that time, Okemo was living in a large enclosure, all by himself, away from other animals. He looked so lonely, watching us with so much hope in his big beautiful eyes.   When we went up to say “hello” to him, Okemo immediately started chuffing up a storm, rubbing his body up against the enclosure walls.  He was very friendly and so happy to see "people" that it broke our hearts to leave him behind that day.  On our way back to Wylie, Texas, Justin was intent that we return for our Okemo, laying out the case to our board of directors the necessity of accepting this precious tiger.

On August 14, 2011, we were thrilled to bring home our 18-year old tiger, ready to lavish him with lots of TLC.  We noticed Okemo was a little on the thin side and very skittish of the other big cats.  It took a long time for Okemo to get used to having other cats around him, but it didn’t take long before Okemo was chuffing at our staff and volunteers.  He was such a love-bug -- we adored him!

Okemo with his pizza box on August 16, 2011

Our Facebook page

Ricki Hart He is quite the gentlemanly flirt!! After about 12 hours to settle in, he started chuffing like crazy! Comes right up to the fence to say "HI" and starts chuffing and rubbing the fence. We love him!!!

August 24, 2011

Jenny Cauthen Yager Ricki he was is a chuffing machine when I was cleaning his cage last weekend! He was very vocal, making cute little noises.

August 24, 2011 at 9:47am 

Our long time blog readers may recall Okemo used to be a little intimidated with his next door neighbors when he lived in Chuffing Park.  So, on November 27, 2011, Okemo moved from Chuffing Park to Aladdin's Castle.  Jasmine, his new neighbor, took to our boy right away, but Okemo often played it cool with our girl.  To read more about their introduction and to watch a video of Okemo moving into his new home, click HERE.

We first learned that Okemo was very sick about six months ago. In mid-February, Vicky noticed he had a swollen jaw on the right side of his face.  Our vet came out the next day to take a look at Okemo and decided it would be best to sedate him so a closer exam could be made while he was under.  So on February 23, 2012, Okemo was sedated and our vet examined his swollen jaw.  

Our vet cleaned and shaved Okemo’s jaw so he could see the swollen sac found on the right side of his chin.  Since the sac was filled with fluid, our vet lanced the sac allowing the accumulated blood, pus, and bone shavings to drain from his wound. Once the wound stopped draining, our vet thoroughly cleaned the area and took x-rays of Okemo’s jaw. We also drew blood from Okemo and both his blood and culture samples were sent off to be tested for any abnormalities.  When the tests came back, we were devastated by the resulting news—Okemo was diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma that spread to his lower jaw bone.  We also learned that Okemo was very sick at the time we brought him home to In-Sync Exotics, but his symptoms did not show up until early this year.  Eventually, the cancer ate away at his lower jaw bone until there simply wasn’t very much bone left.

With the passing of Okemo, Jasmine is now alone again.  First she lost her brother and cage mate, Raja, on October 23, 2011 and now she has lost her buddy, Okemo.  

Okemo was cremated on Saturday with many of his loved ones in attendance of his memorial ceremony.  Even though Okemo was with us for just shy of his twelfth month, we will never forget our handsome tiger...

We hope you enjoy our video of Okemo's "many faces."  We will never forget his wonderful facial expressions--not ever...

.

WAO Monks Are Finally Leaving the WAO!

Some great news!  The WAO monkeys are finally leaving the WAO!  Thank you God!!!  Bad news is -- Born Free is not telling the truth about the health conditions of the WAO macaques.  Just another sanctuary going out of its way to absolve the WAO board of directors and its workers of their horrible health care treatment they provided the WAO animals.  I pray the WAO workers never find employment working around animals ever again. 

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/bfusablog.php?p=3340&more=1

Born Free USA Blog

by Will Travers,
Chief Executive Officer

Let the Rescue Begin!

Published 07/25/12 

One of the most special days in Born Free USA’s history has arrived. We are ready, and we are excited!

Today the first batch of more than 100 monkeys from the Wild Animal Orphanage arrives at our Primate Sanctuary in south Texas. Last year we struck a deal to provide lifetime care for the macaques (and one baboon) after the WAO went bankrupt. In the eight months since, Director Tim Ajax and the rest of our sanctuary’s staff members have been working extra hard to build enclosures and make all the other necessary preparations for the WAO monkeys’ arrival.

The agreement, which represents one of the largest macaque rescues (if not the largest) in U.S. history, has tremendous financial ramifications for our organization. We are committed to providing abundant nutritional food, spacious and recreationally rich enclosures, and a minimum of human involvement (by our highly trained and devoted staff) so that the monkeys can live out their lives as naturally as is possible. None of that is cheap, and we do not cut corners.

One of our greatest challenges will be to keep our soon-to-be-600-plus residents comfortable in what can be extreme weather conditions. Last year, for example, the region suffered through a crippling heat wave and drought. We do all we can to provide ample shade and water, but again, tremendous expenses are involved.

So as we bring you updates about today’s 10 WAO arrivals on our sanctuary’s Facebook page, in our photo gallery and elsewhere, please consider making a donation to our Rescue & Rehabilitation Fund to help us in this endeavor — one of the most significant things we will ever do. Thank you for your support.

Blogging off,
Will

Press Releases

For Immediate Release: 07/23/12

Born Free USA Begins Mass Transfer of Macaques from Bankrupt Sanctuary

The happy ending of a two-year saga for 106 macaques [the number was 110 macaques according to bankruptcy court documents on 11.21.11]  and one baboon is finally here. On Wednesday (July 25) the first group of these animals — 10 stump-tailed macaques — are scheduled to be transported from their former home at the now-closed Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO) in San Antonio to their new home at the 186-acre Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, about an hour away.

According to Adam Roberts, executive vice president of Born Free USA, “Last year, Born Free USA worked for months with The Wild Animal Orphanage and the Texas Attorney General to find a way to help these animals. If we didn’t step in with a plan, this large group of primates would likely have been euthanized. Since finalizing the details in November 2011 [Born Free received $250k to take in the monks last year, with another $250k promised when the Talley Road land is sold], our sanctuary has spent the past eight months building proper facilities and preparing for our new residents.  [Not true!  According to TX OAG Open Records, construction of the macaques' enclosure began in March of this year! ]  Their new home is ready and we are eager to get them here and help them in their transition.”

On Aug. 31, 2010, the WAO announced the decision to dissolve the sanctuary “due to overpopulation, underfunding and inadequate housing for the animals.” According to the WAO board, they were in a “do or die situation” and they had to find placement for more than 100 macaques, 55 tigers, 14 African lions, 16 chimpanzees, six wolf hybrids, and 20 baboons. Sanctuaries were found for all of these animals, in part through the leadership of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), of which Born Free USA is a member.

But finding a home for the primates presented the biggest challenge. In addition to the number of macaques involved, there are other highly complicated issues including: their sensitive social groupings — 12 different animal groupings with troops as small as three and as large as 28; the age range — from under 1 year old to some in their 30s; many physical health conditions from cataracts to skin and age-related bone issues; and a multitude of mental health issues many still suffer from as a result of their captivity prior to their life at the WAO. [NOT TRUE!  The mental health issues were the result of the care they received at the WAO not from their prior captors! -- This is shameful reporting and I am immensely disappointed in Born Free.]

At the spacious Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, according to Tim Ajax, director of the sanctuary, “these animals will join the current 532 primate residents and live in the best enclosures we can provide.”

Now that they have all been thoroughly medically tested, sterilized and identified, and the Born Free USA facility and staff are ready for their transition, the moves are schedule to start — initially in four groups, from July 25 through Aug. 17.

Ajax, who is coordinating and overseeing the entire move, says, “This is a very delicate move with many challenges for the animals and our staff. We are excited about the opportunity to assist them and anxious to get our new residents acclimated and comfortable, while also taking great care of our existing 500 animals.”

Roberts adds, “Every day wild animals need to be rescued from ‘pet owners,’ laboratories, roadside zoos, and other abusive circumstances, but this time it is about a large sanctuary having to shut down completely — a place where these animals were already once saved. Wild animals belong in the wild and these scenarios should never exist at all. Sanctuaries are filled to capacity, costly to run, and are the only aid we can give these animals.”

Among the more than 100 primates is Chappy, a crab-eating macaque, who was a biomedical research subject. The stress of life in the lab led him to pluck his body bald. [Stress from WAO captivitiy} Dex, a stump-tail macaque also used in research, has only his thumb and index finger on his right hand [had nothing to do with research - Dex lost his fingers fighting at the WAO.  There were many monkesy with missing fingers and tails, all reported to the USDA in 2006]. Chappy and Dex, along with Maddie, Leo, Stiggy and dozens of others, all suffered at the hands of humans before they found initial sanctuary at the WAO. [LIes...Lies...all lies...these animals suffered in the hands of the WAO workers.  The WAO refused to provide health care to its animals!]

To learn the truth about the WAO macaques, click HERE.

Re: Macaques moving to Born Free

From:
To:	Kristina Brunner

---

Kris, if not for you, what happened at WAO would have remained a secret atrocity.   The NIH and the individual Universities are ultimately responsible for everything that befell the primates they so irresponsibly shipped to WAO.  The parties at UW had no excuse not to  be aware that naive persons could not possibly care adequately for stumptailed macaques who were an intact society and would fiercely defend one another.   Those who had spent years in single cages may have been different, but the group from Vilas Zoo/ UW was its own nation.

Thanks for all your efforts, Kris.   I am only sad that my vision for the care and preservation of the stumptailed macaque nation in the U. S.  -- for them to have fulfiiling lives living outdoors with their family members and their friends in future, and for future human generations to see and appreciate them, could not be realized.   

Best regards,

You should write a book about all you had to go thru to bring this about.

Take care.

Friends of the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary

7.25.12

The first move of ten stump-tailed macaques went like clockwork and everyone came through in great shape. The WAO team did an excellent job and we're looking forward to releasing the monkeys out into a larger enclosure within the next several days. Here's a picture of one of the males checking out his new surroundings.

Friends of the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary

7.26.12

The first ten stump-tails from WAO were released out into the main enclosure this morning! They couldn't wait to get out and explore and zipped through the gate into their new home. They split up and came back together in small groups many times during the first several hours, grunting softly back and forth to each other for reassurance. They LOVE mesquite beans! More pics and hopefully some video soon...

Thank You for this, Kris.    

IF these are the stumps from the Vilas Zoo/UW ,  then the big male with the red face might be Ylia or Yves, and already over 20 years old.  The "Y" family had a matriarch named (before my time there) "Yolinda".    Then she had daughters Yolk and Yam, and then sons Yeroen (Dutch name from when Frans De Waal was there), Yves, Ylia and Eagle.   Yolinda died when Eagle was just an infant, as she was elderly when she had him, and some post-birth complications or infection.  It was fascinating to see that the three brothers, Yeroen, Yves, and Ylia, took turns carrying their infant brother, 24 hours a day, and would let the caretakers bottle feed him thru an enclosed wire mesh area  that I had built.   One of the caretakers thought it was awesome that the stumps "understood" they had to bring the baby to him for milk/feeding several times a day.     Although Yeroen's mother had been the lowest ranking mother in the group, after Yeroen took charge and organized everything to care for the baby, he later became the alpha male/group leader.     Everyone seemed impressed with his "foreign policy" skills -- negotiating with the caretakers as he did!

This guy looks not quite yet recovered from anesthesia, or groggy from his trip? 

Again, IF these are the Vilas stumptails, the dark face female on the raised climbing device might possibly be Wilma or Wyroon.  Wilma and Wyroon are granddaughters of the oldest living stumptailed macaque on record, Wolf, whose "obituary" was published in our local paper! Looks like she had a baby sometime not too long ago.  Wilbur was their brother, but may not have survived and would now be 20.      The juvenile on the right in the photo would have been born after they left Wisconsin, but looks like an "S" family relative -- formerly the largest "middle class" family of the group.   They have a class structure in addition to a hierarchy among individuals.

A Fallen WAO Animal Warrior

San Antonio Lightning Publisher passes away, July 24th

R.G. Griffing with Rhett Smith

Richard "R.G" Griffing

San Antonio Publisher R.G. Griffing passed away, Tuesday morning, July 24th. Recently he lapsed into a coma. More details to come.

If you have been following this blog, then you know how instrumental RG was in saving the WAO animals.  He continually reported on stories that no one else wanted to cover in his on-line newspaper called the San Antonio Lightning.  He placed a bright shiny light on the former WAO's board of directors' crazy activities for the world to see and for that I will always be grateful.  RG, where ever you are, thank you!  May the Lord bless and keep you always...

A Sample of RG Articles on the WAO

Here are the last postings he made on the Lightning.

I will miss his reading his postings!

Wed., July 25, 2012 9:12AMA
MOVIE THEATRE MASSACRE
Colorado Shooting
Spree Kills At Least 12
50 Others Wounded
Denver Post / Video Included

Drudge Report  World & National News			Bjorn's Just Bjorn's

HOW I GOT SUCKER PUNCHED
I Don't Know What He Looked
Like, But I Can Describe His Fist...
I Think He Had Six Knuckles
Contusions, Confusions And Maybe A Concusion; When
I Woke Up On The Pavement, At First, I Thought I Was Troy Aikman'
RG Griffing Has Gone Fishing / CLICK HERE FOR YET ANOTHER DIVERSION
CARPET BAGGER DEPARTS
Obama Has Left The Town
Secret Service, Too
Daughters And Small Dogs Are Now Safe
Developing - More To Follow

		THIS ROUND IS ON THE HOUSE VOTE FOR SHERIFF OTIS ORTIZ! UNPAID AD, NOT APPROVED BY ANYONE

OF DEATH TRAPS AND DICTATORS The Cost Of Lunching With An American Dictator CA STUBBS - TEXAS NO.1 TAXWATCHDOG

FINALLY?
The Spanking Of Fannie Mae
Delayed A Bit, Till RG Griffing Recovers
YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
Making Terrorists Out Of Citizens
Virgina News Source
WHY NOT?
Terrorist Designation For Drug Cartels
Reynosa Lightning
ADVISORY
The Sheriff Didn't Shoot Me, Yet
Rumors Abound After SAL Shut Off
It Was An Act Of God, Not Ortiz
More To Follow - Click Here For Another Diversion
SAl Radio

DWI - SHERIFF JOHNNY WALKER Fear And Loathing In Bexar County Alamo Heights Police Chief: 'Don't Talk' RG Griffing, SAL Editor Publisher Copyright June 25, 2012

Here is a special video tribute to RG.  The footage where the attorney smacked RG's camera was taken when he went to court and confronted the WAO's attorney!  Go RG!!

Griffing, colorful online newspaperman, dead at 61 By Josh Baugh Updated 02:27 a.m., Wednesday, July 25, 2012 Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Griffing-colorful-online-newspaperman-dead-at-61-3732018.php#ixzz21eOsNPW6 Richard Gary “R.G.” Griffing, known for his contrarian views and the exposés on local politicians he ran in his online newspaper, died Tuesday from diabetes-related complications. Griffing, 61, was the editor and publisher of the San Antonio Lightning, a provocative, low-tech website in the style of yellow journalism. The site, created in October 2000, features a bizarre combination of advertisements — from tactical firearms training classes to politicians and a competing online news organization — and large, shocking headlines about both local and national issues. His wife of 27 years, Ruth Griffing, said her husband was admitted to a hospital Sunday and had been sedated. Plans for services are pending. Before starting the Lightning, Griffing worked for television and radio stations, his wife said. She characterized him as an “aggressive” journalist. Griffing blurred the line between journalism and politics. In May 2007, he ran unsuccessfully against Phil Hardberger for mayor of San Antonio. He also was known to address — and chastise — the City Council during its “citizens to be heard” portion of meetings, though it's extremely unusual for journalists to either publicly address the council or share opinions. Griffing wasn't one to keep his opinions to himself. “As long as you had whatever opinion he had, then you were OK,” former councilman and Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff said. “He was certainly not shy about telling you what his opinion was and trying to solicit from you if you agreed.” Wolff, whose dealings with the Lightning were more frequent when he was on council than on Commissioners Court, said that he was at first taken aback by Griffing. “It didn't take long to figure out the San Antonio Lightning was nothing like the old San Antonio Light or the current Express-News,” Wolff said. “It was somewhere on the fringe of what I believe the Current to be — kind of extremist in viewpoint. You're OK if you agree and eviscerated if you don't.” If not a typical journalist, Griffing was indeed colorful. According to news reports, he'd marketed “invisible underwear” and real estate on Mars more than a decade ago. In 2000, the Hearst Corporation, owner of the Express-News, sued Griffing over his plans to open a competing newspaper using the name “Light,” the Hearst-owned San Antonio newspaper that closed in the early 1990s. After countersuing for $10 million, Griffing settled the suit and agreed to change the name of his publication to the Lightning. At the time, Griffing said, “We're trying to be a diverse voice.” jbaugh@express-news.net