I am very concerned for the cats at Wildcat Haven. Accusations are being made on both sides of this case. WCH says it's policy that two people must work together around the animals. The family claims the practice was for deceased daughter to work alone around the cats. So many questions. All I can do now is wait for more information on what will be the fate of the sanctuary's animals. I reserve comment on this case awhile longer because I don't want to rush to judgement.
Here is the second press release from the sanctuary:
WildCat_Haven_Release_11_11_13.pdf by WAOCase
For some reason the name Tim Harrison sounded familiar to me, so I looked him up. Turns out he's associated with HSUS and is very well known at WCH. I have to question whether or not this person can fairly investigate the events that led to death of the animal caretaker after seeing these pictures on the Internet.
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| (left to right) Mike & Cheryl Tuller, Founders of WildCat Haven;Tim Harrison; and Renee Radziwon-Chapman with her husband Pictures from the Portland Society Page |
http://www.portlandsocietypage.com/2012/11/16/wildcat-haven-sanctuarys-big-cat-bash-delights-supporters/
The story below seems to support the notion that it was common practice that folks worked around the cats alone. This does not bode well for the sanctuary.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sherwood/index.ssf/2013/11/former_wildcat_rescue_director.html
Wildcat rescue employee, owners have history of going into animal cages solo, former board member says
Everton Bailey Jr. | ebailey@oregonian.com By
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on November 12, 2013 at 7:59 PM, updated November 13, 2013 at 3:21 PM
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on November 12, 2013 at 7:59 PM, updated November 13, 2013 at 3:21 PM
A former board member of a Sherwood-area wildcat rescue says she witnessed the head keeper and owners go into animal cages by themselves years before a fatal attack during the weekend.
Morgan Keniston said Tuesday that she visited the WildCat Haven Sanctuary several times between 2008 and 2010 and saw owners Cheryl and Michael Tuller and animal care technician Renee Radziwon-Chapman enter animal cages alone, bringing a rake along to fend off roaming animals that got too close. The organization said its guidebook calls for two employees securing the wild animals before entering cages for cleaning or repairs.
Radziwon-Chapman, head keeper at the sanctuary for eight years, was found dead in an enclosure at the sanctuary Saturday evening with two unsecured cougars, authorities said. Autopsy results show she was bitten several times on her body and heavily wounded on her neck and head.
"I was shocked and taken aback when I read about what happened to her," said Keniston, 42, of Salem. "Renee was very, very good with the animals and I know she felt she had a wonderful kinship with all of them and that they wouldn't hurt her."
Keniston said she and her mother donated about $10,000 a year between 2007 and 2010 to the sanctuary, which rescues cougars, lynx, bobcats and other large cats abused or neglected as domesticated pets. In 2010, Keniston said she was invited to be part of the organization's board of directors after helping finance accommodations for two tigers. Keniston said she was dismissed six months later when Radziwon-Chapman alleged to the owners that Keniston had made inappropriate comments during a social event.
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division and U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched investigations into Radziwon-Chapman's death. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said their investigation found no criminal wrongdoing.
In a statement released Sunday, Wildcat Haven Sanctuary said the cougars were kept in enclosures that have 14-foot high walls made of wire with ceilings and double-door entries. There are also smaller cages in the enclosure -- "lockouts" -- where animals are supposed to go while a person is inside.
The organization announced Tuesday that one cougar was secured in the lockout and two others were in the enclosure with Radziwon-Chapman while she was cleaning. Her body was later discovered by Michael Tuller, according to a report released by the sheriff's office.
WildCat Haven said the cougars' lockout gate was working properly and would have adequately held the three cats. It is not known if Radziwon-Chapman was attacked by one or two cougars or if anything will happen to the animals.
Radziwon-Chapman's mother told The Oregonian on Monday that her daughter was careful while interacting with the large cats and that she voiced concerns about her own safety to Cheryl Tuller days before being attacked.
The Tullers started the WildCat Haven Sanctuary on about eight acres of land near Sherwood in 2001 as a way to take in neglected and abused wildcats who've been made pets. The couple took in a bobcat themselves as a pet in 1996 while living in Tigard and moved as they continued to build their menagerie.
The organization's website lists about 60 large cats that call the sanctuary home. Cheryl and Michael Tuller have been raising money to move to an 82-acre rural Marion County facility.
In a 2003 interview with The Oregonian, Cheryl Tuller said she didn't feel like she was in any peril around the animals.
"Danger to the point they could kill me? No. But they are dangerous, absolutely," she said. "We've learned how to read them pretty well. I have the scratches and bites to prove it."
The nonprofit's tax records show they've received $1.4 million as of 2012, including $1.2 million in gifts, grants and contributions. Between 2006 and 2012, yearly contributions have gone from $80,903 to $332,756.
The group lists seven voting members of its governing body and five employees in 2012 up from six voting members and two employees in 2011 and 2010. Agni Ford, the Tullers’ daughter-in-law is listed as the group’s secretary and treasurer. No numbers on volunteers are provided.
Cheryl Tuller is the only officer listed as receiving money from the organization receiving $11,650 in 2012, $11,200 in 2011 and $11,600 in 2010.
Radziwon-Chapman is the only person listed as staff for the nonprofit on its website.
Keniston said she met the Tullers in 2007 while at an event hosted by Salem Friends of Felines, another nonprofit. She said she was impressed with the Tullers’ enthusiasm to help wildcats and wanted to help one of the few wildcat refuges in the area.
Keniston said she and her mother were first invited to the sanctuary for a tour in 2008, where Cheryl Tuller led them into several animals’ cages. She said she went into cages at least on two other occasions, one time with Radziwon-Chapman.
Keniston said the animal keeper sometimes displayed scratches on her arms and explained they were from the wildcats.
"She didn't seem bothered by it," Keniston said. "I wanted to make sure they were doing OK and I was terrified seeing them up close. You could really tell that she and the Tullers loved those animals."
Keniston said she only saw the owners and Radziwon-Chapman enter animal cages alone and that no one else was allowed in without one of the three in there with them. She said when the handlers dealt with cougars, they placed a dead rabbit into the lockout from outside the enclosure to entice the cats and then closed when the animal was inside.
Steven Milner, an Oregon City veterinarian who treats animals from the sanctuary, said he hadn't seen or heard of anyone going into a cage alone with a large cat before Saturday. He said the organization is very careful about who is allowed to approach the animals.
Dane Johnson, an attorney representing WildCat Haven Sanctuary, did not respond Tuesday to requests for comment from The Oregonian.
Keniston said Radziwon-Chapman shouldn’t have been in the enclosure alone especially during the evening.
"A big risk was taken and unfortunately it costed her life," Keniston said. "When you’re in such a small space with large wild animals those risks can’t be taken.”
Oregonian reporter Justin Runquist contributed to this report.
-- Everton Bailey Jr.
If the sanctuary has only one or two animal caretakers to care for about 60 cats, I have to wonder how Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) "verified" and ASA "accredited" this facility. Were the other animal caretakers interns? What happened to the other four caretakers in 2013? Where did they go and why were they not replaced? Is there no follow-up with the accreditation agencies? What's the point of being verified or accredited if the sanctuary's standards drops to an unacceptable level at some point during the approved period? Seriously, what is the point of being accredited or verified if no one checks on their status each year? So much can happen in just one year...
Later:
It seems clear WCH allowed a lot human/big cat interaction than first disclosed by WCH's press release.
"It's morally reprehensible they are blaming her," Vail said. "Renee cleaned the cages alone for years and so did other volunteers."
But he wants to protect the memory of Renee for her 6-month-old daughter, who will only know her through pictures and stories.
Later:
It seems clear WCH allowed a lot human/big cat interaction than first disclosed by WCH's press release.
Ex-WildCat Haven worker: Many of us went into cougar cage alone
SHERWOOD, Ore. -- A former worker at the wild cat sanctuary where a keeper was killed in a cougar attack last weekend said he's outraged that the directors have accused her of breaking the rules and he wanted to speak out to help clear her name.
Derek Vail spent five years as a volunteer at WildCat Haven where Renee Radziwon-Chapman, 36, died Saturday after being attacked by a cougar inside an enclosure at the sanctuary. She was the head keeper.
The sanctuary released a statement after the deadly attack that said Radziwon-Chapman had violated strict protocol by going into the enclosure alone. It quoted a section of the facility's handbook, which states: "Two qualified staff members shall work together during the lock out of dangerous animals."
However, Vail said that during his five years as a volunteer at the sanctuary, the owners never enforced that policy and often gave approval for workers to go inside alone, including he and Radziwon-Chapman. He showed KGW photos taken of him with the cougars and said he felt safe when he was inside the enclosures.
"It's morally reprehensible they are blaming her," Vail said. "Renee cleaned the cages alone for years and so did other volunteers."
When asked what he thought may have triggered the deadly attack on his former co-worker, Vail said, "I don't know what happened, but I know what didn't happen: I know Renee did not go in there and violate a bunch of safety protocols."
Vail added that he’s very familiar with the whole operation at WildCat Haven. He even helped build some of the cages and enjoyed getting close to the cats.
“I felt honored to be that close to God's creatures,” he said. A large tattoo on his right arm of one of the cats serves as a constant reminder of his days at the sanctuary.
The facility in Sherwood, run by Michael and Cheryl Tuller, is a "no-kill, last hope" sanctuary for captive-born wild cats, including tigers, bobcats, lynx and cougars.
Vail said he understands that WildCat Haven may face legal problems if they admit protocols were lax, and he would hate to see their work with animals impacted.
But he wants to protect the memory of Renee for her 6-month-old daughter, who will only know her through pictures and stories.
"She was one of the finest human beings I have ever met in my entire life. She loved animals. She was always working hard and never would have violated any safety protocols," Vail said. "When I think of her, I still can't believe she's gone."
The Tullers have not spoken publicly since the deadly attack. But they described Renee as a dear friend in a written statement that included this quote from Cheryl Tuller:
“We are devastated by this loss. Not only was she one of our most dedicated staff members, we thought of her as family. We send our most heartfelt prayers to those she has left behind.”
A 911 call obtained by KGW Wednesday shows the measures that Michael Tuller took to try and save Radziwon-Chapman after he spotted her body in the enclosure.
911 call: Desperate panic followed cougar attack
When Vail started volunteering at the WildCat Haven animal sanctuary in Sherwood, he did so as therapy to try and heal from the death of his young son. Little Nicholas developed a brain ailment and died at just 6 years old.
Now, talking about Renee helps him come to terms with the loss of a former co-worker who grew to become his good friend.
“I’m so upset that my friend was killed. I loved my time at the WildCat Haven, but I think speaking the truth is the most important,” he said.
Vail said he volunteered at WildCat Haven for 5 years, which is where he met Renee. She taught him how to work with cats and her husband was even the pastor at his wedding.
"I am praying for her husband and her mom and her family," he said. "She was a wonderful person."
KGW reached out to the owners of the sanctuary for a comment on these new claims. They have not returned the calls.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are both currently conducting formal investigations into Radziwon-Chapman's death.
WildCat Haven also hired a specialist in exotic captive animal programs to study safety procedures and audit the facility.
Background: Head keeper killed in Ore. cougar attack
Later:
Later:
A lawyer for WildCat Haven Sanctuary, where an employee was killed in a cougar attack Nov. 9, said that cougars potentially involved in the attack are still in their enclosure.
"Once all of those bodies and individuals release findings, we will have more information about particular procedures and policies that the sanctuary has, and that will be when we can address how they apply to this particular situation," said Johnson.
Construction on the new wildcat sanctuary is continuing, Johnson said.
The Tigard-Tualatin Times first published Johnson's confirmation of the cougars' fate and the haven staffing.
--Fenit Nirappil: 503-294-4029
Later:
I was very disturbed to hear rumors that there was only one animal keeper on the property. There should be at least three full-time keepers available, Monday-Sunday, not just one keeper and two directors that help when they can. If this rumor is true, then this was a major disaster waiting to happen, and the directors had no business taking in tigers. Tigers can be very demanding and dangerous if handled alone. What was WCH thinking? What was GFAS thinking when they "verified" this sanctuary, knowing the staff limitations?
Later:
Turns out the rumor was true. . the only animal caretaker was placed in extreme danger because the sanctuary refused to hire additional staff. Oh, and the previous reference that the sanctuary was "owned"-- even though there is a board of directors, I'll willing to bet the "directors" saw themselves as owners and operators of the sanctuary; else they should willingly remove themselves as board directors and serve only as "employees."
WildCat Haven Sanctuary death: Cougars still in enclosure after deadly attack, lawyer says
By
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on November 25, 2013 at 2:55 PM, updated November 25, 2013 at 5:11 PM
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on November 25, 2013 at 2:55 PM, updated November 25, 2013 at 5:11 PM
Correction appended
Dane Johnson, an animal law attorney with Portland's Karuna Law, answered questions about the rural Sherwood sanctuary Monday, Nov. 25, after declining to do so in earlier weeks. Renee Radziwon-Chapman, the haven's head keeper for eight years, died from cougar bites while apparently cleaning a cage alone on Nov. 9.
WildCat Haven has said in statements that its rules call for two qualified staff members to move wildcats to a lockout area before cleaning. Radziwon-Chapman's mother told The Oregonian that her daughter had raised concerns about being left alone at the sanctuary. A former WildCat Haven Sanctuary board member said Radziwon-Chapman and the sanctuary owners have entered animal cages alone.
Johnson said it is his understanding that the haven has three full-time employees, including the founders, Cheryl and Michael Tuller. This confirms previous reports that Radziwon-Chapman was the only full-time paid staff member. Michael Tuller told deputies that he and his wife were in rural Marion County, where the sanctuary plans to relocate, on the day of the attack.
Johnson declined to answer further questions about the sanctuary's policies, such as whether volunteers are considered qualified staff members for locking out animals, until investigations are complete. The nonprofit Outreach for Animals is investigating the attack at WildCat Haven's request. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, whichlicenses the facility, and the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration also are investigating. Clackamas County Sheriff's office determined there was no criminal wrongdoing.
"Once all of those bodies and individuals release findings, we will have more information about particular procedures and policies that the sanctuary has, and that will be when we can address how they apply to this particular situation," said Johnson.
Johnson also said all of the wildcats at the haven continue to be secured, including the two cougars found roaming in the enclosure after the fatal attack. One of those cougars had blood above its nose, according to a deputy's report.
Construction on the new wildcat sanctuary is continuing, Johnson said.
Jolene Kelley, a spokeswoman for Marion County, said at one point that county commissioners might take another look at the sanctuary's application in light of the fatal attack, but no action has been taken as of Nov. 25.
The Tigard-Tualatin Times first published Johnson's confirmation of the cougars' fate and the haven staffing.
--Fenit Nirappil: 503-294-4029
A previous version of the article incorrectly referred to the Tullers as owners. Legally, nonprofits do not have owners.
Found this posted on Facebook along with the above web story:
Found this posted on Facebook along with the above web story:
Kristen Wiley Has anyone contacted the media to point out that Out Reach for Animals / Tim Harrison have no experience at running a sanctuary or even maintained cougars in captivity ? Tim has had a lion that he kept for a few months in the basement of an apartment and then a tiger at his kennel where there were many complaints by neighbors about odor etc. The kennel Harrison Kennel in Vandalia , Ohio was cited numerous times and finally closed. A wolf at the kennel took a clients dog out of her arms and killed the dog. Also Tim breed wolf hybrids for sell and was severely bitten when removing a young wolf hybrid from mother to sell . Tim has no training or college background to so expertise to investigate this incident. In fact there are pictures of him with the victim and owner stating how great the sanctuary is. How do you investigate a friend ? Anything he finds will be in favor of the owners. Someone needs to point out what a joke it is to involve Outreach for Animals or Tim in this investigation . Tim is like an ambulance chasing lawyer and a true media whore.
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