Jake's Necropsy Results Are In

According to the necropsy and medical test results, Jake died from an environmental fungal pneumonia, and was apparently sick for a very long time. It is undetermined at this time whether Jake became sick four years ago, prior to his arrival at the sanctuary, or if he became sick after his arrival -- regardless, by the time Jake's declining health was discovered, it was too late to save him.

I hold the two animal caretakers that work at the second site responsible for allowing Jake suffer for so long.  Poor baby just wasted away and the animal caretakers just stood by and watched him slowly waste away.  How could they not know something was terribly wrong with Jake?  What kind of people allow animals to suffer alone?  I recommended to the director that the animal caretakers be fired immediately, because if they could do this to Jake, then chances are they will do it again to another animal.  I know this will be a tough decision because these animal caretakers have been working at the sanctuary for years.  However, in light of what we are discovering, I believe it is time for the two ladies to find new jobs elsewhere.

The new director plans to take Jake's body to Paws in Heaven to have his body cremated and he will be returned to the sanctuary.

I wish I could have done more for Jake, but I know he is in Heaven, free of cages and disease. I miss him.  I just don't know if I can ever forgive myself for not going out to the Talley Road sooner.  I should have gone out there as soon as Nicole invited me.  Perhaps I could have...

Should have, could have, didn't.  Now I have to live with my decision.  Lesson learned.  Never let your fear of the unknown stop you from doing what you know in your heart is the right decision.  I should have gone.  I could have gone.  I didn't.  God forgive me.


Necropsy Report Jake WAO



Later:

Photo taken in 2009

The workers claimed they did not know Jake was in severe distress.

Whaaat??

How in the world could you guys miss all the signs Jake exhibited that he was in distress?  He looked like a walking skeleton. I decided it was time to educate all the animal care staff on the general signs an animal may be seriously ill.  I pray this message is distributed to all the workers before they put another animal's life in danger.

From: Kristina Brunner

To: Nicole Garcia
Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 4:22 PM

FYI - In light of what happened to Jake, perhaps the animal caretakers should be made aware of the symptoms a primate may show when in severe distress:

Signs for Evaluating Morbidity in Animals

Note: this list is not exhaustive.
Hunched posture

Sunken eyes, with or without discharge

Respiration that has increased, decreased, or appears labored

Rapid weight loss (more than 10% of body weight within a 1-week period)

Total weight loss from baseline (>20%) Note: Weight loss criteria for young, growing animals is different than for adult animals. In general weight loss is not acceptable for growing animals; rather, a "reduced weight gain" protocol will be established on a case –by- case basis depending on the study and species.
Decreased body condition score (2.5 or less on a scale of 1 – 5; see species-specific guidelines for assigning a body condition score).
Decreased or no intake of food

Hypothermia or hyperthermia

Ruffled hair coat, erection of hair or fur, lack of grooming behavior

Diarrhea or constipation

Vomiting

Unsteady gait or lameness not induced by experimental manipulation

Ulcerated tumors

Severe or ulcerative dermatitis
A Moribund state is defined as a state of dying. Any animal exhibiting these characteristics would be considered to have end-stage illness and should be euthanized immediately.

For more info: http://www.bu.edu/research/compliance/oversight-committee/iacuc/policies/policy-for-humane-endpoints.shtml 

Hang in there, tiger - 

Kris

God Speed Parrots and Tortoises

I received word earlier today that the 4 parrots (Gonzo, Sergeant, and the two blue and gold macaws) are leaving the sanctuary today so they can live in an indoor facility located at the Austin Zoo.

Also, the three tortoises are leaving on Saturday to live in a heated barn especially designated for tortoises at a tortoise sanctuary. I've been worried about the tortoises living on tour right now because of the cold weather South Texas has been experiencing for the last several days.

I am sad to see these animals go, but I pray their move is for the best interest of the animals. They need a chance to grow and thrive in environments suited for their physiology.

While I did not know the tortoises, I fought like heck to make sure they were treated right by the previous directors and staff. The birds I have known for years and I will miss their whistles and 'hello's' when I walked by. God Speed little critters -- I will miss you!

The After-Thanksgiving Event

On the day Jake died, the sanctuary held its first After-Thanksgiving party for the animals. What a bitter sweet day for the animals and the workers. During the special event, the tigers and bears received pumpkins, which they prompted tossed and rolled around their enclosures according to friends that attended the event.

Bubba received a hot pink blanket, donated by a friend of mine at work, and a boomer ball donated by a County office which funded raised the dollar amount to purchase this gift for the white tiger.

T’Salvo also received a large bright red boomer ball which she grabbed and dragged back to her den so as to play with it.

The monkeys, from all accounts, loved their treat boxes, opening them carefully at its tab and then promptly reaching in and dragging out the hay mixed with peanuts, dried fruit, and a special cookie shaped as a peanut.

The wolf pups loved their tug a ball toy, proceeding to enter into a tug a war over the new item.

I only wish there were enough toys for all the animals at the sanctuary. Sadly, not everyone received a present, but I’m hoping folks will donate towards the animals toys this Christmas. So far, we have two large boomer balls (14”); two medium boomer balls (10”) and three smaller boomer balls. The big balls will go to tigers and lions, while the smaller balls will go to the cougars and the bobcats/serval/caracal.

Since I am still hesitant to go to the sanctuary at this time, the sanctuary taped the animals receiving their presents, and I was told a copy of the tape would be provided to me soon. I need to work on getting toys for the second property’s animals as they did not receive as many toys as the touring property’s animals.

All the animals went through so much in the last several years; they deserve some treats and toys!

The USDA inspector visited the property today and was shown a copy of the After Thanksgiving video. Apparently she liked what she saw for she asked for a copy of the video so as to pass it on to another veterinarian. The inspector was told that Jake died and concerned the inspector asked if I was aware of his death. The director let her know that I did indeed know about his death and I was told the inspector seemed relieved. Apparently the USDA is happy I am no longer sending any more complaint emails to them! I was told the new director provided the inspector with an animal inventory listings for both properties and gave her an update on the required repairs needed at both facilities. Since the perimeter fence is not complete yet, the USDA will work with the sanctuary and give them a reasonable time frame to install the fence. Also, the USDA inspector was pleased with the way Bubba was looking, saying he looked much better since her last visit and wanted to know what the staff was doing to improve his health. By all accounts, it appears this was a successful USDA/APHIS visit.

The new director said she is still waiting for Jake’s necropsy report. There was some concerns he may have died from a highly contagious disease; however, the USDA inspector told the new director she felt Jake may not have actually died from this disease--so now only time and the test results will tell.

The new director directed staff to winterize the animal enclosures since the cold winter weather is upon us. Propane heaters were started up and several enclosures were winterized with insulation boards and lots of hay/straw. It was reported to me the big cats’ enclosures received hay in each shelter box. The USDA inspector was pleased the facility was working hard to winterize the animals' enclosures.

Oh, and the President of the Board elected not to resign just yet and the OAG approved the nomination of a new board member based on his employment resume -- it should be interesting to see if this new member, if approved by the board, will bring life to the board of directors.

I'm ending this post on a grateful note; for if it was not for the kind donations received by several County employees, the animals above would not have received presents at their After-Thanksgiving event. Thank you so much my friends for helping me help the animals! I am grateful for my friends and I am grateful the sanctuary is now under new management!