Farewell Misha...

Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

April 7, 2016· 8 hrs · 

With sadness we had to say goodbye to Misha yesterday. She was one of the lucky ones. Started as a photo cat in S Dakota , 16 years ago. Abandoned after reaching 40 pounds and no longer profitable she was rescued by USDA and taken to WAO In Texas. There she once again fell into bad circumstances when they went bankrupt. USDA found a home for her , her brother Koko and Kela with us. They were the last 3 Tigers to find homes. We built a special expansive enclosure for them and they had never before been on grass. All three were so happy. She has been with us since 2011 and was the star of Barry's feeding demonstration with her high jumping ability.

She developed an age related neurological condition and it was in her best interest to let her go. She had a long life and many happy well fed years with us.

May God bless and keep you, Misha,  in Heaven forever and ever - Amen.

I Just Found this Facebook Posting -- Thank You Global Wildlife Warriors!

Global Wildlife Warriors

July 13, 2013 · 

As you may recall, the Wild Animal Orphanage closed its doors in 2010 and many of its animals were rehomed. All but one sanctuary received a large amount of money to care for the animals—the only one who was awarded money from the WAO trust was Born Free in the amount of $500k because they took in the last of the WAO macaques.

Sadly, many of the animals that were relocated throughout the US died within two years of their rehoming from various diseases, including cancer, all attributed from their time spent at the WAO. None of these sanctuaries received a dime from the WAO trust or any other animal rescue organization.

When a concerned former WAO member learned Canine Distemper swept through a Texas exotic cat sanctuary, where a favorite lion of hers currently resides, she immediately contacted @International Fund for Animal Welfare for help.

Some back history:

In 2006, IFAW failed to respond to a whistleblower’s complaint to IFAW that the WAO misappropriated donated public funds and failed to provide even the most animal care (such as food, water, shelter, health care) to its animals. Instead, IFAW chose to take the side of the corrupt board of directors and essentially made fun of the whistleblower’s complaints. In 2012, the USDA substantiated the whistleblower’s allegations, but not before over 80 animals died during the course of their investigation (USDA, TCEQ, Texas OAG).

IFAW “loaned” about $60k to the WAO for food and basic health care treatments until all the animals were eventually rehomed in 2012.

Fast Forward:

The former whistleblower contacted IFAW this month to see if they could help the In-Sync Exotics with their canine distemper outbreak. It seemed reasonable, that the $60k loaned to the WAO could be granted to In-Sync Exotics so they would be able to pay off current and future medical bills (about $50K)

An email from IFAW’s Animal Rescue Manager stated IFAW was “ in ongoing communications with InSync Exotics regarding the outbreak. Between the two organizations, we are in the process of determining how best to assist.” This “good news” was posted on In-Sync’s webpage. To everyone’s chagrin, it turns IFAW did not contact In-Sync Exotics, but the sanctuary is hopeful that they will call very soon.

This type of playing “fast and loose” with the lives of In-Sync Exotics big cats is deplorable and should be condemned. IFAW failed the WAO animals in 2006 – let’s encourage IFAW to do right by the In-Sync Exotics cats affected by canine distemper.

In-Sync Exoctics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center
https://www.facebook.com/insyncexotics?ref=ts&fref=ts

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
https://www.facebook.com/ifaw?ref=ts&fref=ts