Tiger News

Rescued tigers relocated to Murchison refuge

2012-01-28T03:03:00.002-05:00

Trio of cats plus two wolf hybrids at Black Beauty Ranch

Chad Wilson 2012-01-26

MURCHISON – The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, known for being the home of burros and horses that have been abused and neglected, joined with the Humane Society to rescue three tigers and two hybrid wolves from a roadside zoo in Mississippi.

A total of 11 animals were rescued from the Collins Zoo in Collins, Miss. late Wednesday after an in-depth investigation. Five of the animals were transported to the Murchison ranch while other sanctuaries took in the remaining six animals.

“Cleveland was always in the belief that any animal, regardless whether or not it was a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore, deserves a life free of cruelty. We have had many species here, although we did start out as a burro and horse rescue,” Black Beauty Ranch Director Ben Callison said. “We have evolved to have chimps, cougars and bobcats. All these animals deserve sanctuary and a chance to live a cruelty free life. I think Cleveland would be proud of what we have done today and we know that it was always his vision to help those animals in need. We love diversity here, we have 48 species, and we will accept any animal that is in need and these guys are a prime example of that.”

The rescue comes after the Humane Society of the United States conducted an in-depth undercover investigation and submitted legal complaints to the state documenting serious animal welfare issues as well as public safety concerns at the Collins Zoo. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks served a search and seizure warrant at the Collins, Miss. property that allowed them to seize three tigers, three cougars, two leopards, two wolf-hybrids and one Macaque monkey due to violations of state permit requirements.

Callison said Black Beauty Ranch was prepared to be the home of four adult tigers but one died before the seizure took place.

“The animals at the Collins Zoo have been forced to live in inhumane conditions for many years, and The Humane Society of the United States is relieved to finally be able to rescue these animals and help them begin new lives in appropriate sanctuaries,” said Lydia Sattler, Mississippi state director for The HSUS. “The situation at the unaccredited Collins Zoo is a prime example of the animal cruelty and public safety concerns that stem from our country’s unregulated exotic animal industry. This should be a wake-up call to lawmakers and communities around the country to crack down on the casual ownership of dangerous wild animals.”

In late 2009, The HSUS conducted an undercover investigation at Collins Zoo and then submitted legal complaints to the MDWFP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The investigation uncovered injured and malnourished animals and flimsy enclosures, including venomous snakes being held in unlocked enclosures accessible to the public. Since The HSUS’ investigation, conditions at the Collins Zoo remain poor.

When responders entered the property they found the animals housed in small pens with little space and no enrichment for these animals. These animals were underweight and suffering from a variety of medical ailments.

“We often times will see these types of roadside zoos with signs posted for people to stop and we ask for people to not visit these type of places because you are supporting this type of situation,” Callison said. “If you are going to go to a zoo, go to an accredited zoo. We ask that people support laws that stop exotic ownership of pets. These guys are not pets, they shouldn’t be pets. I believe what we saw in Ohio is a prime example of that.”

The HSUS provided animal handling, transportation and placement assistance for the rescue. Carolina Tiger Rescue of Pittsboro, N. C. provided sanctuary for one cougar and two leopards. Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation of Kendalia, Texas will house two of the seized cougars. Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary of Dilley, Texas is providing sanctuary for the macaque monkey.

“This was a two-year investigation and it took us two years to get these guys out of there. If we had the correct laws this would have never happened in the first place,” Callison said.

The hybrid wolves, which seemed more like playful dogs in their temporary home in Murchison, will be transported to a facility in the northern United States in April.

Callison said he is unsure what will happen with the tigers once the HSUS investigation is complete, but he did make it clear he will do whatever is in the best interest of the large animals.

“We will do whatever is in the best interest of the tigers. If we can give them the habitat that they deserve long term then we will do that. If another sanctuary is indicated that can provide them something better than what we can, it is in the tiger’s best interest. It is all about them,” he said.

Tyler is the home of the Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge and several big cats including tigers, lions and cougars, but Callison believes the facility is one of many in the nation that are overcrowded.

“I am not aware that Tiger Creek was contacted. There were quite a few sanctuaries contacted but they were full. I know this is a huge problem and that is why we had to step in and create these temporary enclosures,” he said. “Almost every single tiger sanctuary right now is at max capacity with the reality that in Texas there are more tigers in captivity with private ownership than there are left in the wild. This is a huge problem, one we don’t always realize is here, but it is worse in Texas that it is anywhere else. Although these guys were rescued in Mississippi, this is very much a Texas and nationwide problem. We need to work to resolve that.”

The male tiger, which took seven men to transport into the holding facility after tranquilization, has a few injuries the Ranch is looking into while the two female tigers both appear to be better shape.

“It is still early and they have just come out of the rescue. We don’t have all of their blood work back yet so we don’t exactly know what true condition they are in,” Callison said. “The initial physical evaluations are promising but we will have to find out more once we get the medical information back.”

According to Mississippi’s 16 WAPT News, the owners of the Collins Zoo are Gus and Betty White and they plan to fight to get the animals back. That fight might be tough as officials have said the couple discarded paperwork on several of the animals once they were aware the seizure would take place.

Callison said some animals remain at the zoo and could not be seized by the organization because the seizure only allowed for exotic animals. Some of the remaining animals include poisonous snakes which were reportedly in unlocked cages.

http://www.c-bstatesman.com/news/2012-01-26/Front_Page/Rescued_tigers_relocated_to_Murchison_refuge.html

Tigers and Other Exotic Animals Seized from Mississippi Roadside Zoo

2012-01-26T02:17:00.001-05:00

Photo Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

More photos: http://slideshows.humanesociety.org/index/gallery/6/album/126?flash=0

January 25, 2012

Humane Society of the United States undercover investigation leads to multi-agency rescue mission

The Humane Society of the United States joined with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, Carolina Tiger Rescue, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation and Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary to rescue 11 exotic animals from the Collins Zoo, an unaccredited roadside facility.

The rescue comes after HSUS conducted an in-depth undercover investigation and submitted legal complaints to the state documenting serious animal welfare issues as well as public safety concerns at the Collins Zoo. The MDWFP served a search and seizure warrant at the Collins, Miss., property that allowed them to seize three tigers, three cougars, two leopards, two wolf hybrids, and one Macaque monkey due to violations of state permit requirements.

The MDWFP asked The HSUS to coordinate the temporary placement of these animals at qualified sanctuaries until a judge determines the custody of the animals. The HSUS received permission from the MDWFP to transport these animals to several out-of-state sanctuaries. The HSUS will care for the three rescued tigers at its Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, operated in Texas by its affiliate The Fund for Animals, and the two wolf hybrids will also stay at Black Beauty Ranch until the animals’ custody is determined.

"The animals at the Collins Zoo have been forced to live in inhumane conditions for many years, and The Humane Society of the United States is relieved to finally be able to rescue these animals and help them begin new lives in appropriate sanctuaries," said Lydia Sattler, Mississippi state director for The HSUS.

She continued, "The situation at the unaccredited Collins Zoo is a prime example of the animal cruelty and public safety concerns that stem from our country’s unregulated exotic animal industry. This should be a wake-up call to lawmakers and communities around the country to crack down on the casual ownership of dangerous wild animals."

In late 2009 The HSUS conducted an undercover investigation at Collins Zoo and then submitted legal complaints to the MDWFP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The investigation uncovered injured and malnourished animals and flimsy enclosures, including venomous snakes being held in unlocked enclosures accessible to the public. Since The HSUS's investigation, conditions at the Collins Zoo remained poor.

When responders entered the property they found the animals housed in small pens with little space and no enrichment for these animals. These animals were underweight and suffering from a variety of medical ailments.

Groups and Roles

• The HSUS: animal handling, transportation and placement assistance
• Carolina Tiger Rescue of Pittsboro, N.C.: sanctuary for one cougar and two leopards
• Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation of Kendalia, Texas: housing for two cougars
• Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary of Dilley, Texas: sanctuary for the Macaque monkey

High-quality video and photos of the rescue mission will be available by email request to the media contact below. Video of the undercover investigation and copies of HSUS's legal complaints are also available.

Media Contact: Jordan Crump: 240-654-2964, jcrump@humanesociety.org

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/01/tigers_other_exotic_01252012.html#id=album-126&num=content-2388

Navy Pier shuts down royal white tigers

2012-01-25T23:09:00.005-05:00

Royal white tiger Gita was on display Tuesday in the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier. The exhibit, with two other royal white tigers, was shut down Tuesday when Navy Pier learned of animal cruelty allegations against the company that owns the tigers. ( José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / January 24, 2012 )

TN Note: For information about white tigers please visit: http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2010/02/white-tigers-conserving-misery/

John Kass 9:52 p.m. CST, January 24, 2012

Navy Pier abruptly closed its popular "royal white tigers" — featuring Gita and her cubs — after I showed up Tuesday asking about an interesting fact:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is revoking the white tiger owner's exhibition license for health and safety violations, including allegedly posing a danger to children.

The tiger show began Jan. 13 and was to run through Feb. 12. Navy Pier officials said they paid $27,000 to the company and had sold $16,500 in tickets so far.

According to court documents, the USDA found that Marcus Cook's company ZooCats Inc. "willfully violated" the Animal Welfare Act. The USDA has been hunting Cook for years now, alleging a long history of infractions.

"There is evidence that ZooCats trainers did not handle the animals properly, at times, using physical abuse with a cattle prod to train, work or control an animal during an exhibition," USDA spokesman Dave Sacks told us.

"They failed to provide a proper diet, treat animal illness and injury, and did not keep proper facilities. … The USDA has revoked ZooCats' animal exhibition license," Sacks said.

Officials also said the trainers let spectators at previous exhibitions get too close to the tigers — though not at Navy Pier.

All Navy Pier had to do was put Cook's name into Google. But apparently no one did, and now nobody wants to own up to the white tiger idea. I figured it was some Chicago political appointee who missed Las Vegas and the old Siegfried & Roy tiger shows that came to a rather abrupt end in 2003, particularly for Roy.

Cook denied the USDA's claims. He blamed USDA bureaucrats, particularly a higher-up, Sarah L. Conant. Cook claimed she's an animal rights activist with a political agenda aimed at eliminating all traveling zoos, exhibitors and other such entertainments from the American landscape.

USDA officials would not make Conant available for comment, but added that the agency has no political agenda but merely follows the law.

"You've got some bureaucrats who want us gone," Cook told me. "They're activists with agendas working for the USDA. We treat the animals well. We don't use cattle prods. We don't put children in danger. But these animal rights types don't want exhibitors around. You watch. Soon they'll tell you that you shouldn't have a dog because it's unkind to 'own' one."

My own opinion? Actually, I like the tigers. I like zoos, and I like smaller exhibitions like this one. But then, I've always been drawn to such things. I won't abide cruelty. But like many of you, I'm fascinated by critters.

The impulse to protect beautiful wild things like tigers is important, but traveling zoos and exhibitions aren't the reason tiger populations have dwindled to almost nothing in the wild. The loss of habitat is a reason. And killing tigers for their body parts — to satisfy the barbaric demands of alternative Asian medicine — is what marks them collectively for death.

At Navy Pier, you could see the tigers up close. The exhibit area was clean and didn't smell, and the tigers seemed healthy and well-fed. I spent hours there watching them, like the boy I once was, the one who wanted to go to Ontario Veterinary College or become a naturalist.

They were white like the color of old parchment, an off-white, with a slight yellow tinge, and the dark stripes were the color of melted chocolate. They were big and quiet and they had beautiful square heads. What I didn't want to think about was critics saying that they're mutants, inbred to maintain that aberrant white coloring.

We were at a distance from the tigers, behind a perimeter fence about 8 or more feet from the enclosure, and there was no way to reach them.

I'm still trying to figure out who's really at fault here, if anyone. And I feel bad about the tigers leaving and the kids who won't get a chance to see them.

"They're cool," said Bradley Tarjan, 8, of the Northwest Side. He was there with his aunts.

"They're white. And they're cool. And they're so big," Bradley said. "They're so cool."

And now they're so gone.

"Based on the information we received today, effective immediately we are ending the exhibit and our contractual relationship with Mr. Cook's company," said Nick Shields, a spokesman for Navy Pier.

Have there been unscrupulous critter shows and circus cruelty in the past? Of course. But is Cook's show one of them? I can't tell. The USDA makes a compelling case, and the anecdotal evidence on top of all that is troubling.

But what worries me is that the crackdown on the white tigers may be used to condemn all zoos and exhibitions as inherently cruel, in part because they hold animals captive for our interest and enjoyment.

I think saving such beautiful predators is more complicated than a slogan.

If humans don't attach themselves emotionally to the big cats, they will disappear. Their bones will be ground into powder and sold. Their habitat will be plowed and planted.

Already, the white tigers are gone from Navy Pier.

jskass@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-0125-20120125,0,3104247.column

New Petition For Tony: Please Sign!!

2012-01-21T21:57:00.003-05:00

A new petition for Tony was posted on http://www.change.org/ asking the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to ensure Tony is released to a reputable sanctuary. It’s important to keep Tony’s story active, networked, and to let people know he is still at the truck stop and their support is still needed. Please sign and share – there are easy share options at the petition link for email, Facebook and Twitter.

Twice a judge has ruled in favor of Tony, barring the LDWF from issuing any further permits and at the last hearing, also revoking the current permit. Tony remains at the truck stop despite these rulings. Talk of his possible move to an exotic animal park which is nothing more than a roadside zoo is truly disturbing. LDWF must ensure he is relocated to a humane reputable big cat sanctuary that can provide the proper habitat, diet, medical care and enrichment Tony needs and deserves.

Thank you again for your support and for advocating on behalf of Tony, which also importantly raises awareness for the thousands of other privately owned tigers in the United States who need our voice.

About This Petition

Why This Is Important

Tony, a Siberian-Bengal tiger, has lived his eleven years as a roadside attraction at a truck stop in Louisiana. In two court hearings, May 6th, 2011 and November 2nd, 2011, Judge Caldwell agreed with The Animal Legal Defense Fund (representing Tony) and their argument that the permit that allows his owner to keep Tony was unlawfully issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. On May 6th, 2011 Judge Caldwell granted a permanent injunction blocking LDWF from issuing a new permit to Tony’s owner, and on November 2, 2011 he again prohibited the LDWF from issuing any new permits to the truck stop and ordered the current permit revoked,

Despite these two rulings in Tony’s favor, he remains at the truck stop due to appeals and yet another lawsuit filed by his owner, most recently on January 2nd, 2012. http://theadvocate.com/news/1713218-123/another-suit-filed-in-grosse.html

There have been recent reports about Tony’s possible move to an exotic animal park if his owner is forced to give him up. This ”park” is under investigation by the USDA for the deaths of 23 tiger cubs. http://theadvocate.com/home/1608646-125/oklahoma-park-probed-in-tiger.html This, as well as the conditions and practices of this “park” (which include exploiting tiger cubs in hands-on exhibits and photo ops) is of great concern to Tony’s supporters. Tony belongs at a true sanctuary, not another “roadside zoo.”

Please sign this petition asking the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to ensure that Tony is relocated to a reputable humane big cat sanctuary that can provide the home, care and life he needs – and has always deserved.

Petition Letter

LDWF: Ensure Tony The Tiger Is Released To A Reputable Sanctuary

Louisiana Deaprtment of Wildlife Representatives:

I respectfully request that you, as a representative of The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, ensure that Tony, an 11 year-old tiger used as a roadside attraction at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana, is relocated to a reputable, humane, accredited big cat sanctuary.

On November 2, 2011, Judge R. Michael Caldwell ruled in favor of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Louisiana taxpayers in their lawsuit to free Tony from the truck stop. Judge Caldwell agreed with ALDF’s argument that the permit that allows Mr. Sandlin to keep Tony was unlawfully issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The judge ordered the Department to revoke the current permit and prohibited it from issuing any new permits to the Tiger Truck Stop. Despite this ruling Tony remains at the truck stop due to the appeals and recent lawsuit by his owner.

Reports about Tony’s possible move to an “exotic animal park,” under investigation by the USDA for the deaths of 23 tiger cubs as well as the conditions and practices of this “park” which include exploiting tiger cubs in hands-on exhibits and photo ops are of great concern to myself and supporters of Tony worldwide.

References:

http://theadvocate.com/home/1608646-125/oklahoma-park-probed-in-tiger.html

http://www.insideedition.com/news/7266/inside-edition-investigates-tigers-as-shopping-mall-attractions.aspx

Clearly this facility does not comply with the following sanctuary criteria as defined by The Captive Wildlife Safety Act:

• Must be a non-profit entity that is tax exempt under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Cannot engage in commercial trade in big cat species, including their offspring, parts, and products made from them
• Cannot breed big cats
• Cannot allow direct contact between big cats and the public at their facilities
• Must keep records of transactions involving covered cats
• Must allow the Service to inspect their facilities, records, and animals at reasonable hours

Reference:

http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/CWSA_Factsheet.pdf

It is imperative Tony be released to a sanctuary that is humane, reputable and in compliance with the above stipulations. Accredited big cat sanctuaries stand ready to provide Tony with a natural habitat, proper diet, medical care, and enrichment.

Tony represents one of an estimated 5,000 – 10,000 privately owned tigers in the United States whose numbers are greater than tigers left in the wild. Captive tigers can live 15-20 years with quality care. Tony has spent over a decade on display in the unhealthy and unnatural environment of a truck stop.

Please ensure that Tony finally has the life, care and home he needs and deserves by releasing him to an accredited reputable humane big cat sanctuary and not another roadside zoo.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Direct Link To Petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/ldwf-ensure-tony-the-tiger-is-released-to-a-reputable-sanctuary

Tiger sanctuary in Chatham Co. welcomes visitors

2012-01-10T01:33:00.003-05:00

Rajaji, 14, patrols his enclosure at Carolina Tiger Rescue, which gives weekend tours for visitors such as Rob Allen of Morrisville, right. Rajaji lived up to his prickly reputation by trying to spray the tour group. Photos by Corey Lowenstein

BY ANNE BLYTHE - ablythe@newsobserver.com
Published Sun, Jan 08, 2012 04:12 AM
Modified Mon, Jan 09, 2012 03:31 PM

PITTSBORO -- Out in rural Chatham County, where it is common to hear cattle lo, horses whinny and even a coyote bay, growls and roars more typical to the wilds of Asia or Africa also rise from a large, secluded property not far from Pittsboro.

There are lions and tigers at the Carolina Tiger Rescue sanctuary and preserve, and there's a host of avid volunteers ready to show off the big cats and other exotic animals in their midst.

Anita Letkemann, September's volunteer of the month, leads eager adults and children along gravel and gnarled forest paths on Saturday morning. Her first stop is at a fenced area where a caracal, a slender, long-legged cat with large, Spock-like, black-tufted ears, paces and climbs.

She moves on to a nearby ocelot, or dwarf leopard, as the cats from Central America and the southern United States were sometimes called. Their spotted pelts at one time were a favorite among furriers, who would stitch together 30 to 35 to make one coat.

As Letkemann explains how ocelots are starting to make a comeback in the wilds of Texas, Maria Maschauer, another volunteer, slips into the enclosed area with a bottle of Obsession and peppermint extract. She spritzes the perfume and dabs the extract on an old Christmas tree and waits.

The ocelot makes its way over to the tree, gives it a big sniff and walks away. Not for long, though. Soon the cat has its nose to the ground making a wide circle around the tree, seemingly obsessed with finding the source of the Obsession.

At Carolina Tiger Rescue's sanctuary and the Conservators' Center, an exotic animal sanctuary in Caswell County near Mebane, undecorated Christmas trees are a big hit.

The sanctuaries not only encourage people to leave their evergreens for the exotic animals, they stage tours, tree tosses and other events to entice new visitors and generate enthusiasm for saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

Carolina Tiger Rescue evolved two years ago from the Carnivore Preservation Trust, which was started in the early 1980s as a captive breeding program for such species as ocelots, servals and binturongs.

The nonprofit organization ceased its breeding program in 2000 after species survival plans began to include genetic registries to ensure diversity in the captive population. Still, the organization realized there remained a dire need for homes for displaced wildcats and the rescue operation grew from that.

Lives of the tigers

Now the sanctuary, tucked off Hanks Chapel Road in eastern Chatham County, typically has about 70 animals - 19 of which are tigers, each with its own story.

Some started off as entertainers in fancy Mexican hotels and beachfront photo booths before outgrowing their cute cub stage and being shipped to Chatham County.

An African serval named Elvis was left in a crate in the driveway with a note stating his family no longer could care for him. It was signed, "Love Me Tender, Elvis."

Lucky, a tiger, was rescued after being found in the back seat of a car in Michigan.

Tex, a tiger that lives in the same enclosed area as Jelly Bean, a blue-eyed white tiger whose original owner could not sell him on the Asian market, was rescued from a truck stop.

Rajaji, a very social tiger who came to Chatham County from a small zoo in Wake Forest, pranced back and forth in his enclosed area Saturday morning to the small tour group's many "oohs" and "aahs." His arthritic legs did not seem to be hampering his movement.

The old guy has a reputation for spraying audiences.

"If you see him turn around and lift his tail," Letkemann advised, "move to the left or right."
And sure enough, Rajaji lived up to his reputation, lifting his tail and sending an aroma in the air that Letkemann likened to buttered popcorn.

Visitors impressed

Keith Gavigan, education director at Carolina Tiger Rescue, is wild about the big cats at the sanctuary.
"They are charismatic, they are the top of the food chain - powerful, beautiful, majestic and super cool," he said.

And judging from the reaction of the young and old who took the tour, Gavigan is not alone in his thinking.

Annamarie and Larry Nelson, a couple from Sneads Ferry in Onslow County, said the three-hour drive was well worth their time on Saturday morning.

Julianne Smith, 6, and her sister Ella Smith, 5, have kitty cats at home. But the girls were thrilled their dad, Jason Smith, had arranged the outing from Cary.

Julianne was taken by the white tiger and fascinated by the one cat's obsession with Obsession. Her little sister had difficulty selecting which part of the tour was her favorite.

"I liked all of it," Ella said.

A roar of success from a preschooler.

http://www.carolinatigerrescue.org/

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/08/1761120/big-cats-and-the-curious.html

Young tigers draw raves as they make public debut

2012-01-09T23:45:00.002-05:00

Marta stays close to her twin Amur tiger cubs, now on exhibit at the Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio. THE BLADE/LORI KING

BY TANYA IRWIN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Published: 1/6/2012 - Updated: 2 days ago

Two of the Toledo Zoo's most anticipated young residents got a warm welcome Friday morning from zoo employees, volunteers, and the public as they went on exhibit for the first time.

Viktor and Talya -- born Sept. 26 to first-time mother Marta -- are Amur tiger cubs, a critically endangered species. The cubs, which weigh about 35 pounds, are expected to reach their mother's weight of 325 to 350 pounds.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view images

The tiger family is scheduled for daily public viewing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Later, they will be on exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

However, weather and exhibit conditions, and/or the animals' continued well-being could require temporarily moving them from public exhibit, said Dr. Randi Meyerson, curator of mammals.

Marta, who was born at the Toledo Zoo in 2003, has been an excellent mother, Dr. Meyerson said. "We are really happy Marta raised them on her own (without a lot of assistance from the zookeepers)," she said. "It's always nice when cubs are mother-reared."

Dr. Meyerson and her staff had no contact with Marta and the cubs during the first 24 hours of their lives. They then had very limited contact for the first week, not even coming into physical contact with the young creatures for three weeks, she said.

Most of the cubs' nutrition is still from nursing but they are eating small amounts of their mother's ground meat diet.

"The cubs will remain here at least for two years, and Talya could stay longer with her mother," Dr. Meyerson said. At 2 years old it will be necessary to move Viktor so he doesn't try to breed with his mother or sister, she added. Talya might be bred, giving the zoo a third generation of cubs.

"The Tiger Species Survival Program does space surveys before any new breeding occurs to make sure possible new homes are available," she said. The Amur tiger's life expectancy is about 15 years, she said.
Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are the largest tiger subspecies. About 143 Amur tigers live in about 53 Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited zoos. Originally, eight subspecies existed; three of those subspecies are now extinct. The five remaining subspecies, including the Amur tiger, are critically endangered because of habitat loss and fragmentation as well as poaching of both tigers and their prey.

Art Dorf, a Toledo resident and 15-year-volunteer at the zoo, was among the first to see the cubs on exhibit.

"Talya is definitely more curious," he said, adding that on Tuesday when the cubs were shown briefly to volunteers, she was pressing her giant paws up against the glass.

Wendi Davis of Carleton, Mich., and her two home-schooled daughters, Lorna, 8 and Shelby, 6, were among the first zoo-goers to see the cubs.

"I've seen their pictures on the zoo's Facebook page," Mrs. Davis said. "To get to see them in person is pretty exciting." Her daughters agreed, squealing as they took pictures. "My cat at home does that," said Lorna, as Viktor prepared to pounce on his sister.

Zoo-goers will be asked to pony up a few more dollars this year to cover increasing costs at the zoo.
For the first time in three years, the zoo is raising its admission prices and introducing a two-tier admission structure that gives Lucas County residents a break.

But next weekend -- Jan. 14 to 16 of Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend -- admission is free for Lucas County residents.

And Lucas County residents with valid ID will continue to be admitted free every Monday (except holidays when the zoo is closed) between 10 a.m. and noon.

As of Monday, daily admission went up $3 while giving a $2 discount to Lucas County residents.

Lucas County residents will be charged $5 for adults and $3.50 for children in January and February, and in November and December. Other visitors will be charged $7 for adults and $5.50 for children.

From March to October, the Lucas County rate will be $12 for adults and $9 for children and seniors. Other visitors will be charged $14 for adults and $11 for children and seniors.

The zoo's annual family membership rate also has increased from $71 to $73 for Lucas County families and $79 for others.

The zoo is opens daily at 10 a.m. Closing times vary by the season.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/01/06/Young-tigers-draw-raves-as-they-make-public-debut.html

Killer tiger resurfaces in Kodagu

2012-01-09T23:39:00.000-05:00

TNN Jan 10, 2012, 01.56AM IST

MADIKERI: The tiger, which attacked and injured three buffaloes on Friday, killed a cow on Saturday night at Netkundh near Birunani in South Kodagu. Chottangada Rohith found the half-eaten carcass of his cow near its shed.

People in South Kodagu are fearful because the tiger, which claimed several livestock in October and November last year, has resurfaced. A forest department team had kept cages to capture it. These men were relieved when the tiger's pugmark was seen about 500 metres from the Kallalla forest touching Nagarahole on Nov. 9. No incidents were reported after that in Kanoor, Shrimangala, T Shettigeri and Hudikeri villages.

The trouble spot is on the Birunani Kodagu - Kerala border. Shrinivas Naik, the Shrimangala wildlife range forest officer, told TOI a leopard may have attacked the cattle. The incidents happened at Birunani near Brahmagiri wildlife forest range and the animal probably arrived from this forest he said, adding, "We are trying our best to chase the animal back to the forest by bursting crackers in the bushes and trees," Naik said. The animal can be identified only after veterinarians survey these area, he added.

KA Manu of Birunani villager and Kanoor villager S.P.Mahadevappa told TOI villagers are afraid to move about freely on work and students are tense on their way to school and back. After class, students reach home by about 7pm and they tremble with fear on their way back. Virajpet taluk in-charge deputy conservator of forests Anand said cages would be kept in certain points to capture the animal. He said forest guards in groups will try and capture the tiger.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Killer-tiger-resurfaces-in-Kodagu/articleshow/11429631.cms

Tiger attack in zoo leaves three-year-old boy critical

2012-01-06T20:59:00.000-05:00

By METRO WEB REPORTER - 5th January, 2012

A three-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being attacked by a tiger at a travelling zoo in Russia.

The child had been posing for a photograph with the big cat next to a small fence when he was clawed in the head by the tiger, sustaining horrific injuries.

A man nearby tried to stop the attack, which took place in Blagoveshchensk, in the Amur region of Russia.

'I hit it [the tiger] with a stick, there was a metal thing on it. But it clutched the kid very tight,' he said.

The young boy was rushed to the Amur Regional Hospital for emergency treatment.

A doctor said: 'The boy was brought in a bad condition, he had an emergency operation which lasted several hours.

'He is in intensive care now, in a bad condition. It is hard to give any prognosis so far.'

Sky News reports an official of the Amur Regional Investigative Committee as saying that an investigation is looking into the incident.

'According to the information we have, the tiger was not inside the cage, it was between the fence and the cage, so it was free,' he said.

'It was attached by a chain, but people were allowed behind the fence to take photographs.'

Video: Check out the Russian zoo where the attack occurred

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/886499-tiger-attack-in-zoo-leaves-three-year-old-boy-critical

India's first anti-poaching tiger force begins work

2012-01-05T01:01:00.001-05:00

By Habib Beary
Bangalore
4 January 2012
Last updated at 07:04 ET

India's first forest ranger unit charged specifically with preventing tiger poaching has gone into action.

The 54-member force will patrol tiger reserves in national parks straddling the borders of Karnataka, Tamil Nado and Kerala states in the south.

The Special Tiger Protection Force has received training in jungle survival and weapons use.

Tiger numbers have shrunk alarmingly in recent decades. A census last year counted about 1,700 tigers in the wild.

A century ago there were estimated to be 100,000 tigers in India.

Numbers up

"The force is operational," Karnataka conservation official BK Singh told the BBC. "They will deal with poachers and hunters."

The Special Tiger Protection Force was formed by the forest and environment ministry on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Karnataka authorities.

With their special training course completed, the unit has moved into Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks, south of Bangalore.

The forested region has the highest number of tigers in India, according to a census released in March 2011 by the forest and environment ministry.

India's tiger numbers have shrunk from 100,000 to 1,700 in a little over 100 years Karnataka state, which has six tiger reserves, has about 300 tigers, followed by Madhya Pradesh in the north with 257.

The census indicated that tiger numbers had increased to 1,706 from 1,411 at the last count in 2007.

Officials say conservation efforts by the government and wildlife organisations have helped tiger and elephant populations increase.

But poaching remains a threat, with some 25 tigers killed in Karnataka alone since 2006.

A second tiger force will be set up in the eastern state of Orissa.

Senior National Tiger Conservation Authority official Rajesh Gopal said 13 tiger reserves in seven states across the country had been identified for special measures to protect the big cats.

Tiger expert Ullas Karanth said the new force would go a long way toward saving tigers from poachers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16410137

Another suit filed in Grosse Tete tiger case

2012-01-05T00:35:00.001-05:00

U.S. permit came first, man argues

BY JOE GYAN JR.
Advocate staff writer
January 04, 2012

The owner of a Grosse Tete truck stop filed suit Tuesday in Baton Rouge against the state of Louisiana and Iberville Parish in a last-ditch effort to continue keeping a 550-pound tiger on display at the facility.

Tiger Truck Stop owner Michael Sandlin argues he and his truck stop have held a federal permit since 1988 to keep tigers at the truck stop, and Tony, a Siberian-Bengal mix, has been kept there lawfully for 10 years.

Sandlin contends the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, a defendant in his lawsuit, lacks statutory and constitutional authority to prohibit ownership of big cats by owners with federal permits.

“I think this is an important lawsuit,’’ Sandlin said. “It will set a precedent for animal owners all over the country.’’

Sandlin’s lawsuit also claims the litigation is important for exotic animals.

“The fact is that the exotic animals in the wild are disappearing at alarming rates because of the illegal activity of criminal poachers. Thus, private ownership and exhibits like Sandlin’s and Tiger Truck Stop’s has become the safe haven for these most precious of our endangered commodities,’’ the lawsuit said.

“Making it more difficult and expensive to assist with preserving these precious species is only furthering the likelihood that private citizens will stop assisting with the fight to prevent the complete extinction of these animals.’’

Animal Legal Defense Fund staff attorney Matthew Liebman said Sandlin’s lawsuit is “baseless and without merit.’’

“We are confident that the state of Louisiana and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries acted well within their legal authority when they decided to protect both the public and big cats like Tony by restricting private ownership of wild animals,’’ he said.

A spokeswoman for the state Attorney General’s Office, Amanda Larkins, said the state’s attorneys were unable to comment on the lawsuit because they were in the process of reviewing it.

Sandlin’s lawsuit comes two months after a state District Court judge ruled Tony is not permitted by state law to remain at the truck stop off Interstate 10.

Judge Mike Caldwell said a state permit can be issued only to an individual, not a corporation, and Tiger Truck Stop is the permit holder, not Sandlin.

Caldwell barred Wildlife and Fisheries from issuing any new permits to keep Tony on display.

Tiger Truck Stop’s state permit expired Dec. 31.

The ruling, which came in a lawsuit that the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed last year against Wildlife and Fisheries, is being appealed by Sandlin, who intervened in the lawsuit.

Caldwell’s judgment is not final until the appeals process runs its course.

If Sandlin’s appeal is ultimately denied, Wildlife and Fisheries has said it would give Sandlin 30 days to move Tony to a sanctuary of Sandlin’s choosing.

In its suit, the Animal Legal Defense Fund cited a 2006 Louisiana law that prohibits the private ownership of large and exotic cats.

The law includes a grandfather exception that allows people to keep exotic cats as pets as long as the animals were legally owned before Aug. 15, 2006, when the law went into effect.

Tony was not legally owned by Tiger Truck Stop before that date because a 1993 Iberville Parish ordinance prohibits anyone from owning wild, exotic or vicious animals for display or exhibition, the Animal Legal Defense Fund said.

Sandlin’s lawsuit said the 2006 state law and the 1993 Iberville Parish ordinance are unconstitutional.

Wildlife and Fisheries has never been given any authority over exotic animals because exotic animals are not indigenous to the state, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also said the Iberville ordinance does not have an exception for persons with proper permits under federal law.

Sandlin’s lawsuit was assigned to state District Judge Janice Clark.

http://theadvocate.com/home/1713218-125/another-suit-filed-in-grosse.html

Tiger count in south states this month

2012-01-02T23:24:00.001-05:00

Sreenivas Janyala
Posted: Tue Jan 03 2012, 00:03 hrs
Hyderabad:

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will start conducting its annual estimation of tigers in Kawal and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam tiger reserve (NSTR) along with other tiger reserves in southern states later this month.

For Kawal tiger reserve where at least four to six tigers are known to exist, it is the moment of truth. Tribals, who are opposed to the new tiger reserve because they may be asked to relocate, claim that there are no tigers there, and are protesting and creating hurdles for the tiger reserve. Forest officials say that they will pay special attention to Kawal during the exercise to prove that it is home for a few tigers.

Camera traps and unofficial estimation in the NSTR indicated the presence of new tigers last October. The total tiger population in the reserve is estimated to be 70 to 90, including several cubs.

A two-day training camp for field officers and forest officials of southern states starts at Bandipur on January 4. Known as Phase IV of All India Tiger Estimation, the decision to monitor tiger populations annually, instead of once every four years, was taken in May last year. Phase IV of the All India Tiger Estimation is an exercise in intensive, annual monitoring of source tiger populations in 41 reserves. Hundreds of cameras will be placed for 45 to 60 days at a gap of 1 km to identify and record tigers.

Field officers will also use traditional methods like tracking pugmarks. The latest models of camera traps and estimation methods have been developed by Dr K Ullas Karanth of Wild Conservation Society (India).

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tiger-count-in-south-states-this-month/894956/

‘Tiger skin old or new, crime is crime’

2012-01-02T22:37:00.001-05:00

Posted On Tuesday, January 03, 2012 at 06:05:17 AM

Ravi Kumar, V Harish and Varun Kumar, all 19 years of age and studying in a college in Mysore, felt they had hit a jackpot when they stumbled upon an old tiger skin. They decided to sell it and fund their amusements. But luck was not in their favour as they ended up in police lock-up.

The moth-eaten, 25-year-old skin was in the attic of Ravi Kumar’s home. After making a contact with a person who said the skin will be purchased by a ‘customer’ for Rs 4.5 lakh, they took it to Madikeri.

However, a police team led by inspector R Satish Kumar stopped the trio, who were going on two bikes, near Abbey Falls in K Nidugani village on October 11. They found the tiger skin wrapped inside a plastic bag and arrested the boys. They were presented in court which sent them to custody.

According to police, the trio confessed that they went to Madikeri to sell the tiger skin, and since the offence attracted three years imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine, they were immediately arrested. The police say the boys claimed that the tiger skin was in their house and they intended to sell it for Rs 4.5 lakh.

After their bail applications were rejected by the trial and sessions court, the trio approached High Court on Monday.

Their advocate Shankrappa argued that it was a story set up by the police. “The three are teenage students studying in colleges. Their semester exams are approaching. They were not aware of the tiger skin. It is a make-believe story by the police that they were trying to sell it. The boys were on a trip and thought they were helping someone,” Shankrappa said.

When Justice Subhash B Adi asked how come the boys were not aware what they were carrying, the advocate said, “It was in the bag that someone known to them wanted delivered. They did not check it. The police have not charged the owner of the bag. They just caught hold of the boys.”

Shankarappa also said that the tiger skin was 25 years old and not a new one, but Justice Adi was not impressed. “All other offences can be pardoned. But not this one. What if the skin is old? Are you permitted to carry old skins? There is no difference between old and new tiger skin in the eyes of law,” justice Adi said.

The court has asked for the charge sheet against the three boys to be placed before it on Wednesday.

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/201201032012010306053487355301ede/%E2%80%98Tiger-skin-old-or-new-crime-is-crime%E2%80%99.html

Escaped Tiger Causes Scare in Northern Mexico

2012-01-02T22:23:00.003-05:00

Published January 02, 2012

An escaped pet tiger named Deborah spurred a massive deployment of police, firefighters and other first responders in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila, authorities said.

Apolonio Armenta, the Coahuila delegate of Mexico's environmental protection agency, Profepa, told Efe that alarmed residents began calling police late Wednesday night with reports about a tiger roaming the streets of Saltillo, the state capital.

"It was a tigress between 8 and 12 months old that some thieves allowed to escape when they broke into the office of the pet's owner, attorney Rodolfo Richards," Armenta said.

Richards eventually managed to recapture the 50-kilo (110-pound) Bengal tiger.

Deborah was only a month old when the attorney bought her from a pet shop in nearby Monterrey, Armenta said, adding that while Richards has paperwork confirming his ownership of the animal, he failed to register the tiger with Profepa as a pet.

Richards now faces up to 1.2 million pesos ($85,000) in fines if he cannot explain to Profepa's satisfaction why he didn't register Deborah.

Mexicans are alllowed to keep exotic animals as pets provided the comply with Profepa regulations, which include providing the animal with an appropriate environment and ensuring it does not become a threat to public safety.

Such animals are "relatively quiet, if they live with humans as cubs, you make sure that they don't suffer from stress or hunger and you give them medical attention to keep them healthy," Armenta said.

Six months ago, he noted, a mountain lion and a tiger were dumped in front of the Profepa offfice in Coahuila, while army troops later captured an African lion in the town of Nava.

Those three animals are now in the Monclova zoo.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2012/01/02/escaped-tiger-causes-scare-in-northern-mexico/

Possible new home for Truck Stop Tiger under investigation

2011-12-21T10:48:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - 5:34pm

GROSS TETE, LA (NBC33) — An exotic animal park where Tony the Truck Stop tiger could end up is under investigation.

Tiger Truck Stop owner Michael Sandlin has said that if the courts force him to relocate Tony from his roadside display in Gross Tete, he would send the big cat to GW Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.

But the US Department of Agriculture began an investigation into that park last year after 23 tiger cubs died there.

They say they don't know when the investigation will be completed.

http://www.nbc33tv.com/all-about-animals/possible-new-home-for-truck-stop-tiger-under-investigation

Oklahoma park probed in tiger cub deaths

2011-12-21T09:38:00.004-05:00

Tony, the Siberian-Bengal tiger mix on display at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, reclines in a grassy area in his cage in this December 2010 photo. / Patrick Dennis

By Koran Addo
Westside bureau
December 20, 2011

GROSSE TETE — Tony, the 550-pound tiger on display at Tiger Truck Stop, could be bound for an exotic animal park in Oklahoma that federal officials say is under investigation after 23 tiger cubs died there.

Tiger Truck Stop owner Michael Sandlin said he intends to send the 10-year-old Siberian-Bengal mix tiger to G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Okla., if forced by the courts to relocate the animal from its roadside display.

Animal-rights activists have been fighting to move the tiger from the truck stop.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture began an investigation of G.W. Exotic Animal Park on June 15, 2010, after learning of the tiger cub deaths, according to Dave Sacks, USDA spokesman

“We first conducted an inspection and subsequently opened an investigation into the matter,” Sacks said Friday. “That investigation continues.”

Sacks said he didn’t know when the investigation will be completed and declined further comment.

Sandlin said Monday he has toured several animal sanctuaries and is “100 percent comfortable” sending the tiger to the Oklahoma park run by Joe “Joe Exotica” Schreibvogel.

Schreibvogel did not return calls seeking comment Monday.

“The deaths are a concern to me,” Sandlin said. “But I understand there was a problem from the manufacturer with the powder that you mix with water to feed the cubs and some cubs died. I don’t blame Joe for that. It’s just a terrible thing.”

Sandlin said of the 13 tiger cubs born at Tiger Truck Stop in the past 25 years, one was stillborn; another one died for undetermined reasons; and a third, fully grown white tiger, died of pancreatic cancer.

“I have a pretty good record, but you’re going to have problems,” Sandlin said. “I know Joe will love and take care of Tony.”

Sandlin said he chose G.W. Exotic Animal Park because Schreibvogel promised to build an enclosure roughly the same size as Tony’s 3,200-square-foot home at the truck stop.

Schreibvogel previously said he had a 5,000-square-foot cage ready for Tony and is trying to raise $120,000 to build him a 10,000-square-foot habitiat with a swimming pool, waterfall and shade trees.

Last week, Schreibvogel said his business has raised only $100 toward the cause.

Schreibvogel’s promise to keep Tony out of public view was one of the determining factors in choosing the animal park as a final home for the tiger, Sandlin said.

He said he wants Tony to have a quiet retirement.

“It’s not that I want him totally isolated, because he’s used to being around people. There are truck drivers that he recognizes, he’s used to being petted and he’s grown up accustomed to kids stopping by to look at him,” Sandlin said.

He said park staff would be around to care for Tony, so he won’t be isolated.

“It would be cruel to isolate him, “ Sandlin said. “He could grieve himself to death.”

Sandlin also said the park is close enough to his family’s home in Stillwater, Okla., where Sandlin could visit him periodically.

Tony’s future ultimately is up to the courts in Louisiana.

In May, state District Judge Mike Caldwell ruled the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries could not issue any new permits allowing Tiger Truck Stop to keep the tiger on display.

The judge’s ruling came after the Animal Legal Defense Fund sued Wildlife and Fisheries, arguing a permit can only be issued to an individual, not a corporation, and the individual must live on the premises.

Tiger Truck Stop is the permit holder, not Sandlin.

“Mr. Sandlin and Tiger Truck Stop should be required to abide by the rules,’’ the judge said at the time.

A three-judge panel of the state’s 1st Circuit Court of Appeal threw out that ruling in August after deciding Sandlin and Tiger Truck Stop Inc. deserved to be heard as a party in the dispute

Caldwell took up the matter again last month and ruled for a second time the truck stop could not get another permit under Louisiana law.

The truck stop’s permit will expire at the end of the month.

Sandlin’s attorney, Steve LeBlanc, said Monday he asked Caldwell to suspend the ruling barring the state from issuing another permit until the judge can consider Sandlin’s request for a new trial.

If the judge doesn’t grant a new trial, LeBlanc said he will file another appeal with the 1st Circuit. Caldwell’s judgment isn’t final until the appeal process runs its course, according to Bo Boehringer, a spokesman for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

If Sandlin’s appeal is denied, Boehringer said, his agency would give Sandlin 30 days to move Tony to a sanctuary of Sandlin’s choosing.

http://theadvocate.com/home/1608646-125/oklahoma-park-probed-in-tiger.html

Threat of protest closes tiger cub exhibit at Centerpointe Mall

2011-12-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

Troy Reimink The Grand Rapids Press
Posted: 12/16/2011 5:25 PM

The threat of a protest has closed a display of live tiger cubs that was scheduled to be at Centerpointe Mall through Dec. 24.

Big Cat Rescue Entertainment, a nonprofit based in Oklahoma, operates a touring display that allows shoppers to play with and be photographed holding tiger cubs for a fee. News that the animals would visit Centerpointe at the peak of the holiday shopping season attracted the ire of some local animal-rights activists.

Sarah Hale, a self-described animal lover from Grand Rapids, said she became aware of the cub display when a friend alerted her to a recent "Inside Edition" report on the traveling exhibit. The report questioned the display's safety and the conditions in which the cubs are kept.

Hale organized a protest that was to take place Saturday in a public space near 28th Street and the East Beltline. (The mall and its parking lot are private property.) As a result of the exhibit leaving, the protest was called off.

"I'm extremely proud of the mall for making that decision," she said.

The mall's general manager, James Fowler, said the tiger cubs had visited Centerpointe for several years without incident, but when he started getting negative feedback and learned a protest was planned, he asked the handlers to leave. On Thursday, the cages were empty and the animals were gone.

An unaffiliated Florida organization called Big Cat Rescue had thrown its support behind Hale's protest. The Florida group accuses Big Cat Rescue Entertainment of exploiting the animals for profit. The organization says it has filed an intellectual property lawsuit against Big Cat Rescue Entertainment for using a similar name and logo to confuse the public.

"We're trying to say don't be a consumer and go and pay to pet these tiger cubs and have your picture taken, because they're just doing it to make money," said Susan Bass, public relations director for Big Cat Rescue.

Big Cat Rescue Entertainment's president, Joe Schreibvogel, said the Florida organization's lawsuit is baseless. He claims the organization has been trying to run him out of business to increase its own profits.

"I'm very proud of everything I do," Schreibvogel said. "Hands-on education is the best way to teach people about trying to save animals. There's nothing abusive to what we're doing."

http://mobile.mlive.com/advgrapids/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=sEKQMQV4&full=true#display

N.J. owners of captive tigers face further restrictions under new bill passed by Senate

2011-12-15T23:54:00.002-05:00

Published: Thursday, December 15, 2011, 3:46 PM
Updated: Thursday, December 15, 2011, 3:59 PM

TRENTON — Owners of captive tigers in New Jersey would be subject to stricter reporting and registration requirements under a bill passed by the state Senate today.

“I can’t say that anything we do today will save these majestic animals in the wild from extinction, but I can say if we do nothing they will shortly be extinct and the inhumane treatment of tigers in captivity will continue,” said state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union).

Lesniak got the idea from Mark O’Donnell, former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s life partner and a board member of the Eco Health Alliance.

Under the measure (S3061), tiger owners would have to tell the state Department of Environmental Protection know where a tiger will be kept; its date of birth, weight and sex; whether it has any distinguishing marks; and to provide a digital photograph, as well as a hair sample, for DNA analysis. It also requires microchipping, and outlines how to dispose of a tiger's body and document the death for the DEP.

The bill, which passed 37-0, has not been taken up by the state Assembly. It is intended to serve as a model both nationally and internationally.

DEP spokesman Larry Hajna, however, said New Jersey already has strict requirements for exotic species. There are currently 29 captive tigers in the Garden State, he said.

"There are five zoos in New Jersey that have tigers on display. No tigers are allowed to be kept as pets in New Jersey," he said. "We don't have any known cases of tiger part trading in New Jersey."

Related coverage:

• Legislation intended to increase odds of tigers' survival in wild goes before N.J. Senate committee

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/nj_captive_tigers_face_further.html

Tiger mauled to death at Toronto Zoo

2011-12-15T22:15:00.000-05:00

By Jenny Yuen ,Toronto Sun
First posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011 01:36 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, December 15, 2011 06:26 PM EST

“Tiger Woods” has mauled his mate to death.

For months, a three-year-old male Sumatran tiger – Harimau Kayu – imported from the San Diego Wild Animal Park in June for a breeding program seemed to be getting along with Brytne, a 13-year-old female tiger. But on Thursday morning when the pair were put in the same space together, Harimau Kayu lunged at the female in a fight, crushing her larynx.

In Indonesian, Harimau Kayu’s name literally translates to “Tiger Wood,” however San Diego zookeepers named the endangered animal after golfer Tiger Woods.

“They were doing really well,” Maria Franke, curator of mammals at the Toronto Zoo. “He just grabbed her by the neck and it was over within seconds.”

When zookeepers saw the fight erupt, they dispelled empty carbon-dioxide containers and made loud banging noises to split the two up. When they separated the male into the holding area, it was already too late.

The tigers had been reacting positively to a “howdy door” – having contact through a mesh barrier – since October as part of the Species Survival Program.

“We base how they react between a barrier and see if it’s positive or negative and we do that very slowly over months to see how the behaviour is,” Franke said. “Everything was lining up, they’ve been chuffing to each other – which is a greeting sound – and head butting.”

Harimau Kayu was not injured in the scuffle, Franke said.

The Sumatran tigers are listed as critically endangered and only 300 to 500 of these animals exist in the world. In North America alone, there are just 71.

In North America, Franke said there have been 10 reports of mauling involving different species of tigers.

Brytne gave birth to two litters with another male tiger, Rengat, who was put down at the zoo from kidney failure at the age of 17. Their cubs, Kali and Indah were donated to a zoo in Japan last winter.

“It’s a very sad day for us with Brytne but we feel at least her genetics were able to be passed on for the survival of the species,” Franke said.

The zoo will conduct an autopsy and the tiger’s ovaries will be collected for reproduction research.

This is the third tiger to die at the zoo since 2010. Tonghua, a 17-year-old Siberian tiger died in February 2010 from cancer.

The Toronto Zoo has come under fire in recent years with the imminent departure of their elephants, Thika, Toka and Iringa, to a California animal sanctuary.

In the spring, a polar bear cub was attacked and killed by its mother in October and Nokanda, a 15-year-old lioness was euthanized in August due to declining health. Four elephants have died since 2006 at the zoo as well as an orangutan in 2010.

On top of that, there’s the uncertainty over its future ownership and the raising of admission prices in peak season to reduce its budget by 10% that have added to the zoo’s shaky image.

But Franke said she doesn’t see this as another blow to the zoo.

“There was nothing that was not done properly here,” she said. “The keepers are the heroes in this situation, they acted promptly. This is just really bad luck. The keepers that work with the animals on a daily basis are pretty shaken up and it’s never easy.”

Harimau Kayu will continue to stay at the zoo and keepers are looking at trying to find another mate for him.

“We’ll then proceed to get another breeding recommendation with another genetically-good matched female for this male,” Franke said. “This doesn’t mean he’s a bad tiger, he’s just a tiger. It’s the nature of the beast, they’re tigers and it’s survival of the fittest.”

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/15/tiger-mauled-to-death-at-toronto-zoo

Senate Votes Thursday 12/15 – Stop tigers being killed for their parts in NJ

2011-12-14T09:03:00.001-05:00

New Jersey Friends!! Please Take Action for Tigers TODAY!! There is an important vote coming up Thursday to protect tigers from ending up in the illegal trade. Please contact your NJ Senators asking them to support S. 3061 It only takes a few minutes to show you care about these great cats. Please visit the link, fill in your information and share. Thank You!! http://www.capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=53907046&type=ST

Tigers are worth far more dead than alive because of demand in Asia and in some communities in the U.S. for tiger bone wine and alleged medicinal and aphrodisiacs made from their parts. The rapidly declining wild tiger population is now estimated to be only about 3000 tigers, with the greatest threat coming from poaching of tigers for their parts.

There are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than in the wild. Cubs are bred constantly to exploit by charging for petting and photo opportunities. But, there is no system in the U.S. to effectively track whether, once they are too big to use for petting and photos, they are being killed for their parts.

Senator Ray Lesniak, Chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, has introduced a landmark bill to require registration and detailed tracking of all tigers in New Jersey to prevent them from being slaughtered for the trade in their parts. We hope this bill will become a model for other states and possibly a federal law.

The bill passed the Committee unanimously and now needs your voice to continue its momentum onto the full Senate floor this Thursday for a vote. Animal exploiters are lobbying to gut this bill, so it is important that you speak up now for the tigers! Please scroll down to send an email to your Senator urging them to support this bill. If you take a minute to customize the suggested language in the form, your email will have more impact. Thanks for helping stop the slaughter of tigers for their parts!

http://www.capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=53907046&type=ST

New Jersey Residents: Stop tigers being killed for their parts!

2011-11-29T05:57:00.001-05:00

Please voice your support for S. 3061, a bill to require registration and detailed tracking of all tigers in New Jersey and prevent them from being slaughtered for the trade in their parts. The bill goes before the Committee on Thursday so please take action now!!

This action alert from Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL makes it so easy to advocate on behalf of these great cats who deserve our respect and protection.

Click here: http://ow.ly/7IbBj

Thank You and please share the link!

More about this bill from Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL

Tigers are worth far more dead than alive because of demand in Asia and in some communities in the U.S. for tiger bone wine and alleged medicinal and aphrodisiacs made from their parts. The rapidly declining wild tiger population is now estimated to be only about 3000 tigers, with the greatest threat coming from poaching of tigers for their parts.

There are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than in the wild. Cubs are bred constantly to exploit by charging for petting and photo opportunities. But, there is no system in the U.S. to effectively track whether, once they are too big to use for petting and photos, they are being killed for their parts.

Senator Ray Lesniak, Chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, has introduced a landmark bill to require registration and detailed tracking of all tigers in New Jersey to prevent them from being slaughtered for the trade in their parts. We hope this bill will become a model for other states and possibly a federal law.

The bill goes before the Committee on Thursday. Please click here to send an email to the Committee members urging them to support this bill. If you take a minute to customize the suggested language in the form, your email will have more impact. Thanks for helping stop the slaughter of tigers for their parts!

http://www.capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=57447501&type=ML

Update from ALDF: VICTORY FOR TONY! November 2, 2011

2011-11-03T03:49:00.000-04:00

Update November 2, 2011: Great news from Baton Rouge, where Judge Michael Caldwell has ruled in favor of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Louisiana taxpayers in their lawsuit to free Tony the Tiger from the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana.

Judge Caldwell agreed with ALDF’s argument that the permit that allows Sandlin to keep Tony was unlawfully issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The judge ordered the Department to revoke the current permit and prohibited it from issuing any new permits to the Truck Stop. “We are thrilled that the court made the right decision,” says ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells. “We will continue to do everything we can to make sure Tony’s next home is a reputable, accredited sanctuary that can give Tony the life he deserves.”

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1859

Please visit Tony's blog http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/ for more articles about ALDF's victory and how we can continue to advocate on Tony's behalf.

Attorneys Fighting to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger Head Back to Court for New Trial

2011-11-02T09:13:00.003-04:00

November 1st, 2011

Court Will Rule on Standing of Tony Supporters to Fight for Him in Court, Will Once Again Decide His Fate

For immediate release

Contact:
Lisa Franzetta, Animal Legal Defense Fund
Megan Backus, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Baton Rouge, La. – Tomorrow morning, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and outraged Louisiana residents return to East Baton Rouge District Court to square off against the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La., where Tony, a Siberian-Bengal tiger, has been confined as a roadside exhibit for over a decade. The same court granted ALDF’s original request for a permanent injunction in May 2011, a ruling that would have prevented the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from renewing in December the annual permit that allows Michael Sandlin, owner of the Tiger Truck Stop, to keep Tony on display. In August, the Louisiana Court of Appeals ruled that Michael Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop must be named as defendants in the lawsuit and ordered a new trial, vacating the trial court’s earlier decision. In addition to this new trial, the Court will consider a motion by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to contest the plaintiffs’ standing to bring the lawsuit to free Tony.

When:
Wednesday, November 2, 9:00 a.m.

Where:
East Baton Rouge District Courthouse
Room 8B (Judge R. Michael Caldwell’s courtroom)
300 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge

Since ALDF filed its original lawsuit in April 2011, it has argued that the Department violated state law in granting the permit to Michael Sandlin. In tomorrow’s hearing, the Court will again hear ALDF’s argument that Sandlin’s permit to own and display Tony should be invalidated, and that Tony should be released into the custody of ALDF or an accredited animal sanctuary where he can receive care and treatment and live out his life in a more natural environment, free from the 24-hour exposure to noise and diesel fumes and the taunts of visitors. ALDF is requesting both a permanent injunction, which would mean the state could not renew Sandlin’s permit in December, and a mandatory injunction, which would require that Sandlin’s current permit be revoked. The Court may choose to issue a decision in the case immediately following the hearing.

Tony has been on exhibit at the Tiger Truck Stop since 2000; he has lived there with no other tiger companions since 2003. ALDF’s lawsuit to free Tony has drawn the support of high profile advocates like Leonardo DiCaprio and True Blood’s Kristin Bauer and has galvanized activists around the world. The law offices of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, P.C. are providing pro bono assistance with the lawsuit.

“The Animal Legal Defense Fund is confident that the trial court got the law right the first time around and will again make the best decision for Tony,” says ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells. “We would like nothing more than for Tony to spend this New Year’s in the comfort of an accredited sanctuary that is far better equipped to meet his basic needs and to give him the kind of life he deserves.”

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1859

London Zoo (ZSL) get green light for extension to tiger enclosure

2011-10-30T01:30:00.001-04:00

Published: 28 October 2011
By JOSH LOEB

LONDON Zoo got the green light to build a multi-million pound extension to its tiger enclosure at a meeting at City Hall last night (Thursday).

The zoo’s pair of Sumatran tigers, Raika and Lumpur, are currently confined to a 600sqm enclosure but will have the run of a 2,400sqm home once the project, billed as a “tiger conservation HQ”, is completed.

The zoo says the new exhibit will give visitors the chance to get a better look at the animals, which face a high risk of extinction in the wild.

It is also hoped the roomier environment will aid efforts to encourage the big cats to breed. The work could cost as much as £5million and the zoo is seeking to raise £2million by 2013, when the enclosure is set to open.

Pictured: An artist’s impression of the new extension. Top: Lumpur

http://www.westendextra.com/news/2011/oct/london-zoo-zsl-get-green-light-extension-tiger-enclosure

Tiger Cubs Make Their Debut At Sydney Zoo

2011-10-30T01:18:00.001-04:00

Sumatran tiger Jumilah is seen with her cubs on display at Taronga Zoo on October 25, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

First Posted: 10/29/11 08:15 PM ET Updated: 10/29/11 08:17 PM ET

What's cuter than a baby animal? Three baby animals.

The video below, from the Associated Press, shows young tiger cubs making their public debut at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia.

The three Sumatran tiger cubs were born on August 20th and were an important addition for the zoo. There may be as few as 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild.

Cameron Kerr, the zoo's director and chief executive, said in a press release, "In a world where just 7% of original tiger habitat remains, this triple birth is a great achievement by Taronga’s dedicated keepers. When you think that these cubs represent nearly 1% of the wild Sumatran Tiger population, you realise just how precarious the future is for these iconic creatures.”

Things may be looking up for wild tigers in other places. A survey earlier this year of India's tiger population showed that the population had increased in the past four years.

For another cute animal video, check out these big cats in Florida playing with rubber toys.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/29/tiger-cubs-debut-sydney-zoo_n_1033196.html

Local tiger cubs are growing up fast

2011-10-26T23:42:00.000-04:00

Posted: 10/26/2011
By: Kait Parker

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It was the middle of May when Berapi, the female Malayan Tiger, gave birth to three tiger cubs at the Palm Beach Zoo. Since then, these tiger cubs have grown tenfold and have more than enough energy to go around.

Little boys sure can be a handful. Running, romping and rambunctious, the three male Malayan tiger cubs at the Palm Beach zoo are no exception.

“They’re about five and a half months old now and, about 50-55 lbs, so they are growing very quickly and they’re at an age now that is absolutely adorable. They are spending their day running around the exhibit, they’re very comical and guests are loving them at the zoo.” Says Keith Lovett, Assistant Zoo Director at the Palm Beach Zoo.

The urban jungle these tiger cubs are being raised in may seem far different than their native Malaysia, however, South Florida’s tropical climate is actually very similar to southeast Asia, helping some of the newest members of this dwindling subspecies of tiger to thrive.

The Zoo is doing what it can to prepare for the future of Malayan Tigers.

“It’s estimated [there are only] three to five hundred Malayan tigers remain in the wild, so this is an animal that does need a lot of conservation work. Some of our conservation work is through conservation education, putting them on display at the zoo, teaching people about tigers, but it also has to do with genetic back up, basically the breeding of these cats because there are so few animals left in the wild that someday, some of the genetics that are found in the North American population may be needed for the wild in Malaysia,” explains Lovett.

Carrying the weight of the future of their species on their shoulders doesn’t seem to faze these tiny tykes much, for now their focus is on tackling their mom, wrestling one another and looking for a tasty treat. But in a few short years they will be as big as their father and will begin doing their part to keep the endangered Malayan tigers from going extinct.

There are only 58 Malayan Tigers in accredited zoos across the county. All three tiger cubs and the mother, Berapi, will remain at the Palm Beach Zoo for at least the next two years, however while the father is currently in Palm Beach, he will soon be taking a trip to the Bronx Zoo in New York to take part in a breeding program.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/science_tech/local-tiger-cubs-are-growing-up-fast

Protester: Tigers in mall, a ‘roadside zoo’

2011-10-23T14:46:00.002-04:00

Posted: 10:16 PM
Last Updated: 3 hours and 12 minutes ago
By: Jessica Noll

COLERAIN TWP., Ohio - He doesn't call his foundation a reserve or a sanctuary—he considers those words “scams” in America—a way to get money from people. He also thinks that a law banning exotic animals is “stupid.”

Joe Schreibvogel, the owner of G.W. Exotic Animal Foundation , the company displaying tigers at the Northgate Mall, said he is licensed as an exhibitor by the federal government. He does think that a law should be put in place—but not to exclude his type of ownership, but rather to ensure that any owners of exotic animals are licensed like him. He said, if “you’re not licensed then no one is governing you.”

Schreibvogel said that he considers his more than 46 acres in Oklahoma, a zoo. That’s where he said he breeds large cats for other organizations and zoos nationally and worldwide, including Thailand, Korea, New Mexico, Florida, Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois to name a few, as well as, some in Las Vegas, where they are used for magic shows.

But protesters outside Northgate Mall said that his traveling tigers are a ‘roadside zoo’... and abuse to the tigers.

People honk their horns on the corner of Colerain Avenue just outside Northgate Mall, in support of the protesters holding signs.

"Little tiny cubs don't have a voice—you know they're at the whim of whatever the people keeping them in cages want to do. So if they want to cart them all over the country, I mean essentially, somebody needs to stand up for the cubs,” said protester Adam Johnson.

"This is not OK with us and we don't want this sort of exhibit at this mall or any mall. It's not right to have these cubs to be taken from their mother," said fellow protester Allison Cashman of Loveland.

She stood outside the mall Saturday protesting what was going on inside. She’s a volunteer at an Indiana rescue, and said that the G.W. Exotics Animal Foundation is not a rescue.

"No sanctuary would take their animals away from their facility. It puts stress on the animals to be put in a trailer or in a small confined cage for long periods of time to travel," said Cashman.

The crowd inside the mall shows interest in the tigers for a different reason. They're paying to have their photo taken with the large cats. Some... not so large.

"Just like any babies, they want to sleep all day long and they're not able to open for mall hours," said Cashman. Her fellow, younger supporters also had opinions.

"It's just cruel… They should just live in the wild with their mom," said Hayden Johnson and 7-year-old Danielle Johnson.

Spectators line up for a glimpse of the tigers as they're rolled out in large pet carriers. But Cashman said they're not pets and fears for the tigers’ future.

"The first thing that comes to mind is that these poor cubs are likely to end up in someone's back yard as a collection, as a roadside zoo.”

"Seeing Zanesville, you can't help but think that possibly that could be their fate. That they could be in someone's back yard... and hopefully something like Zanesville won't happen again, but who's to say it won't?"

So why does Schreibvogel bring his tiger cubs to malls for show?

He said he has to raise money to care for them and what better way to do that than to have a “baby tiger in your lap?” The money made by photo opps at malls is not, however, for food costs. He said the cost to feed a tiger = $0. He uses a food supply company in Texas that reuses unwanted food from grocers.

Schreibvogel said he has over 200 tigers and made $600,000 last year; with what he said is the “largest tiger facility in the world.”

Breeding “saves tigers in the wild” from being plucked from their homes, he said, and moved into captivity—if they're raised by humans, it makes it “safer for humans” to engage with the tigers, like those at the mall display.

He also said, the traveling tigers, some as young as six weeks old, are safe from harm as well.

The large cat breeder also owns 120 acres nearby his Oklahoma ‘zoo’ where he rescues horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Bring his total in “rescue” animals to 1,400.

Northgate Mall's manager has not responded to 9 News' request for comment.

What you think about protesting the mall and what the owner had to say about his 'zoo'? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know.

Check out the photo gallery from the protest at Northgate Mall.

Related Links

Protesters target mall for tiger…

Ohio Gov. signs order on exotic animals

PHOTOS: Exotic animals escape farm

Sheriff: Man freed animals, killed self

Lions, tigers shot; owner freed them

Exotic animals legal in city until 1994

http://www.wcpo.com//dpp/news/protestor%3A-tigers-in-mall%2C-a-%E2%80%98roadside-zoo%E2%80%99

I-Team: Tigers in cages on exhibit at Cincinnati mall; protesters plan demonstration

2011-10-23T12:34:00.002-04:00

Protest at Northgate Mall

Posted: 10/21/2011
By: Hagit Limor
Produced by Anthony Mirones

CINCINNATI - On the very day Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced he's cracking down on exotic pets, the I-team found a traveling exhibit showcasing wild animals right here in the Tri-State.

G.W Exotics Animal Foundation brought its caged tigers on display at Northgate Mall three days after a Zanesville man set free his lions, tigers and bears, then killed himself. Police shot and killed 49 of the wild animals.

Friday, long lines queued up, paying $30 apiece to snap photos and sit inside cages with animals. The I-Team saw one cage with two 3-month-old tiger cubs. Another cage held two more tigers the worker representing the exhibit said were six months old. Other animals sat in other cages inside the mall. Outside, a shiny metal semi truck with the words “endangered show” parked in the mall lot.

The traveling exhibit hails from Oklahoma, where its owner, Joe Schreibvogel, operates a zoo with hundreds of animals. The I-Team searched government sites and found a citation issued by the United States Department of Agriculture last month complaining of lack of veterinary care for several animals at the group’s main zoo. We also found complaints online from animal rights groups upset with how G.W. Exotics transports some very young animals around the country.

Inside Northgate Mall, workers were handing out leaflets including solicitations for donations. “Help build an animal a log house” at $380 per cabin, said one. “Sponsor an animal”, said another. Sponsorships ranged from $150 to $600. Another leaflet showed a cute wild cat cub and said “Adopt an animal today”, at $25 per month. The worker on hand said, "What we do is, we have a rescue shelter where we rescue big cats and other exotic animals. We also propose that people have the right to have these animals if you have the proper facilities."

The owner of G.W. Exotics is Joe Schreibvogel. We left a message for him via the main number in Oklahoma and are waiting for a response. We also called the office and left a message for the manager.

A group of demonstrators plans to meet outside the Applebee’s on Colerain Avenue Saturday for a “peaceful protest against abusive tiger cub exhibits at malls”, according to organizer Laura Dolan.

“In the wake of the tragedy in Zanesville… it is more important than ever for Ohioans to speak up for the magnificent animals who cannot speak for themselves," Dolan said. "Tiger cubs do not belong in malls.”

Dolan says breeders like the one exhibiting at Northgate Mall this weekend use the cats when they’re young, carting them across the country in semi-trailers, and then when the cubs grow up, sell them to private owners like Terry Thompson in Zanesville.

We wanted to ask G. W Exotics about these allegations but did not receive the email we were promised nor the phone number for the owner to call.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/i-team:-tigers-in-cages-on-exhibit-at-cincinnati-mall;-protesters-plan-demonstration-#ixzz1bWSmJFfh

Ohio Gov. Kasich issues executive order on wild animals; critics roar

2011-10-23T04:22:00.000-04:00

Published: Friday, October 21, 2011, 9:17 PM
Updated: Saturday, October 22, 2011, 5:22 AM

By Reginald Fields, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. John Kasich responded Friday to the exotic animal tragedy in Zanesville with an executive order calling on local humane societies and health agencies to do more to enforce existing animal cruelty laws.

But the Republican governor's order did little to address the most pressing questions : How can an Ohio resident be allowed to own so many wild animals without any regulations? Why are there no rules for how these non-native species are brought to Ohio?

Kasich, who has taken tremendous heat this week for allowing a previous wild animal executive order to lapse, was defiant in defending himself. He insisted he is taking steps to fix a problem he said should have been addressed long before he took office.

"I asked the staff to get together across our cabinet and figure out what we could do in the short run. . . to help to deal with this problem," Kasich said on Friday. "Fortunately today I am able to sign an executive order that will have teeth, that is founded in the law and gives power to people."

The order calls on local officials to aggressively enforce animal welfare laws in place since 1953. State officials will review permits of dangerous animals native to Ohio and tighten restrictions on animal auction houses. The governor also said he wants a new bill by Nov. 30 that regulates dangerous, non-native animals.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Zoological Association of America both issued statements supporting Kasich's executive order.

But the Humane Society of the United States panned it, saying Kasich should have been more assertive in preventing exotic animals from being owned as pets.

"The emergency order he signed today is inadequate and sidesteps the central problems created by the exotic animal trade in Ohio," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS. "No private citizen should keep big cats, bears or primates as pets or as roadside attractions."

Tim Harrison, a retired Oakwood police officer who now works for the Humane Society, said Kasich's response was akin to "applying a Band-Aid to an artery."

Just before dusk Tuesday, Terry W. Thompson freed his menagerie of 56 exotic animals -- including various big cats, bears and wolves -- from his 73-acre farm in Zanesville. The 62-year-old man then committed suicide in his driveway.

Local law enforcement officials battling the onset of darkness and trying to corral roaming dangerous animals shot and killed 49. Six animals were captured and one, a monkey, is presumed to have been eaten by one of the other animals.

The images of dead Bengal tigers, lions and grizzly bears piled next to each other in a makeshift grave under an overcast sky gripped the nation and brought Kasich increased scrutiny after it was learned that he let expire an executive order signed late last year by outgoing Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

Kasich defeated Strickland in the November 2010 election.

Strickland's order did not ban ownership of exotic animals outright but would have required the animals to be registered with the state by May 1, 2011. It also would have barred anyone convicted of animal abuse from owning exotic animals. Thompson had three animal cruelty related convictions in 2005, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

During his press conference , Kasich minimized Strickland's order as being unenforceable because it was not backed by state statute.

"What we had really wasn't real," Kasich said of Strickland's order. "Because if it's not anchored in the law, it has no force, it has no teeth."

Reached by The Plain Dealer , Strickland said he was offended by Kasich's "cheap shot" and added the governor is "flat-out wrong."

"Listen, that tragedy may have happened anyway, I'm not casting blame on the governor or anyone else. But for him to say he didn't extend our executive order because it was not a lawful order is just flat-out wrong," Strickland said.

Strickland said he was “frustrated” over what he called a continual amount “of misinformation coming out of the administration.”

"Maybe they had reasons for wanting to set up a different process and, if so, they can do that. He's the governor. But I don't want them taking a cheap shot at our efforts."

Kasich officials complained that one problem with Strickland's order is that it did not come with an appropriation for the Department of Natural Resources to enforce it. But on Friday, Kasich admitted that his own executive order will have undetermined costs at taxpayer expense.

Kasich said he allowed Strickland's order to expire with the expectation that a task force appointed by his administration would come up with new regulations and language for a new law by the end of this year. That timeframe has now been moved up to the end of November.

Kasich underscored the problem facing Ohio. He noted the state essentially cannot stop any residents living anywhere in Ohio from owning a wild animal. Furthermore, because there are no permitting regulations, the state has no idea how many dangerous, non-native animals – like those killed this week – are being kept by private residents.

"We will be looking at what authority we can bring in to clearly put ourselves in a position of determining whether anybody out there is qualified . . . to even hold these animals," Kasich said. "And, frankly, we've got to think about what kind of animals they ought to have.

"But that is for later."

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/10/ohio_gov_kasich_issues_executi.html

Big Cats Live Tour At Northgate Mall Draws Complaints

2011-10-22T23:13:00.003-04:00

Please see video at the direct link.

Published: 10/21 2:55 pm
Updated: 10/21 6:10 pm

A Colerain Tonwship mall is the target in animal abuse complaints because of a big cat exhibit going on there right now. Northgate Mall has an exhibition this weekend called the "Big Cats Live Tour." It runs through Sunday at the mall's center court.

The exhibit offers the chance to get up close and personal, and have pictures taken with the cubs in what organizers call a safe environment. Many rescue groups object to the exhibition of these animals at places like malls, saying it's bad for a whole list of reasons. They say the cubs should not have direct contact with so many humans at such a young age, that the exhibits send the wrong message about exotic animals as pets, that the constant travel and flashes from cameras is very harmful to the animals, and that paying to pet tigers does not support conservation in the wild.

The information from Northgate Mall says the organization holding the exhibit was created to raise awareness of the plight of exotic animals kept as pets. But Big Cat Rescue of Tampa, Florida objects to this exhibitor specifically.

The rescue group says Joe Schreibvogel of "GW Exotic Animals" is using the name "Big Cat Rescue Entertainment" in the Tri-state. But that's just one of several aliases Schreibvogel and his associates use all over the country. He runs a private roadside zoo in Oklahoma. The USDA cited Schreibvogel last month for failure to provide veterinary care. He was previously fined $25,000 for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Big Cat Rescue contacted Northgate's operator, Feldman Mall Properties, about its concerns -- but the exhibit is still going on. The Mall Company told Local 12 News today it wouldn't comment and told us to speak to Joe Schreibvogel directly. He issued a statement claiming he hasn't had a violation since 2004 and that his license issued by the USDA allows public contact with tiger cubs. He also questions the motivation and credibility of Big Cat Rescue.

For more information about the complaints over the mall exhibit, click here. You can also read Schreibvogel's full statement which is attached to this story.

Joe Schreibvogel statement page one (106.9KB)

Joe Schreibvogel statement page two (50.0KB)

http://www.local12.com/guides/petcare/story/Big-Cats-Live-Tour-At-Northgate-Mall-Draws/C7owHaBnw0-qZnZ5ItybTA.cspx?rss=30

Friday October 21: Last Day To Help Tigers Like Tony!!

2011-10-21T14:00:00.002-04:00

Tragedy in Zanesville Ohio

TODAY is the last day to submit comments to the USFWS stating you support the proposal to eliminate the exemption for “generic” tigers. This is such an important action to take for Tony and the estimated 5,000 to 10,000 tigers like him privately owned in the United States. { Re: Zanesville tragedy }

For more information see the post Help Protect Captive Tigers in the United States from The Animal Legal Defense Fund below.

Direct link to submit comments: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FWS-R9-IA-2011-0027-14468 All you need to do is state " I support the proposal to eliminate the exemption for “generic” tigers."

Please Take Action For The Animals Killed in Zanesville Ohio

Ohio: It’s Time to Ban Dangerous Exotic Animals
https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5229

Ohio Residents: Take Action After Exotic Animal Massacre
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8525

Gov. John Kasich: Ban the sale, ownership, and harboring of wild and exotic animals in Ohio
http://www.change.org/petitions/gov-john-kasich-ban-the-sale-ownership-and-harboring-of-wild-and-exotic-animals-in-ohio

Continue to support Tony and The Animal Legal Defense by signing and sharing Tony's petitions and keeping his story active. Visit: http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/take-action/ for petition links and more. Upcoming hearings for Tony are scheduled for November 2, 2011.

Thank you again for your support of Tony and all animals who deserve our respect, protection and advocacy.

From The Animal Legal Defense Fund:

Help Protect Captive Tigers in the U.S.

While the disturbing circumstances surrounding Tony the truck stop tiger have have received enormous attention, there are an estimated 5,000 – 10,000 additional captive tigers throughout the U.S. The majority of these big cats are classified by the federal government as “generic” tigers – tigers that are not purebred and are not in the same classification as endangered tigers in zoos (Tony, for example, is a Siberian-Bengal mix). Most of these tigers are kept as exotic “pets” and are virtually unregulated by the federal government due to a 1998 United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) rule that exempted “generic” tigers from the permit and reporting requirements that normally apply to endangered species. Due to the current lack of regulation by the federal government, there is not an accurate count of how many thousands of these tigers are living in the country, or whether they live in potentially abusive – and dangerous – conditions.

After years of pressure by tiger advocates, the USFWS, on August 22, published a proposed rule that would eliminate this generic tiger exemption. Should it be adopted, all tigers in the country, regardless of their lineage, would be better tracked and regulated by the federal government. People who own these tigers would be required to report annually on the number of tigers they have in captivity and on activities involving the tigers. Until this information becomes available, there is only anecdotal knowledge about the extent and whereabouts of the tiger population in this country. Such critical information could play a vital role in advancing laws that acknowledge and protect these currently “invisible” animals.

Take Action!
The USFWS is accepting comments on this proposed change through October 21, 2011 and your help is crucially needed! Please submit a comment in support of the proposal to eliminate the exemption for “generic” tigers today. Your support will help demonstrate to the USFWS that Americans are deeply concerned about better protections and oversight for captive tigers.

Last Few Days To Help Captive U.S. Tigers Like Tony!!

2011-10-20T01:25:00.004-04:00

Photo: Big Cat Rescue - Tampa Florida

This very tragic disturbing story : Police hunting escaped exotic animals in Ohio demonstrates the urgent need for better laws prohibiting the private ownership of exotic animals and another reason why it is so important to be a voice for animals and advocate for such regulations.

Please Take Action For The Animals Killed in Zanesville Ohio

Ohio: It's Time to Ban Dangerous Exotic Animals
https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5229

Ohio Residents: Take Action After Exotic Animal Massacre
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8525

"Generic" Tigers Comment Period - Deadline October 21, 2011!!

Please take a moment to submit comments to the USFWS stating you support the proposal to eliminate the exemption for “generic” tigers. More information from The Animal Legal Defense Fund http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1801 and Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL: http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=53173501

This is such an important action to take for tigers – please share the ALDF and BCR links above.

You can continue advocating for Tony and supporting the efforts of The Animal Legal Defense Fund to have Tony released to an accredited big cat sanctuary by signing and sharing petitions:

Current Petition Numbers

1. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6207 (38,372)

2. http://www.change.org/petitions/speak-out-for-tony-the-truck-stop-tiger (11,623)

Care2 Sponsored Petition:

3. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/129/272/008/ (43,856)

Upcoming hearings for Tony are scheduled for November 2, 2011.

Thanks again to everyone for caring about Tony and all animals who need us to be strong advocates on behalf of their welfare.

Sheriff: 56 exotic animals escaped from farm near Zanesville; 49 killed by authorities

2011-10-20T01:01:00.003-04:00

Workers begin the process of burying carcasses of the dead animals today at the Muskingum County Animal Farm.

Animal farm owner released the animals, then killed himself

By Josh Jarman , Quan Truong , Jim Woods and Brenda Jackson
Wednesday October 19, 2011 8:31 PM

ZANESVILLE, Ohio —Authorities say that in all, 56 exotic animals escaped from a farm in Muskingum County last night, and one could still be missing this afternoon.

Of those animals, 49 were killed. Six animals -- a grizzly bear, three leopards and two monkeys -- were captured alive and taken to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and a monkey and a grey wolf were at large. The animals that were killed included 18 tigers, nine male lions, eight female lions, six black bears, three mountain lions, two grizzly bears, one baboon and two wolves, Sheriff Matt Lutz said. The escaped monkey poses a danger because it is infected with herpes, the sheriff said.

The sheriff said it is possible that the missing monkey was eaten by a large cat.

The owner of the farm, Terry Thompson, was found dead last night on his property. Authorities say Thompson opened the cage doors and cut the wires on the cages, then killed himself. He died from a gunshot wound. Lutz said Thompson's body was "bothered" by the animals.

Lutz had previously said a grizzly bear, a wolf and a mountain lion were missing. Today, authorities confirmed they killed the bear on the property last night. The wolf was later found dead; it had been shot last night. An officer wounded the mountain lion, which staggered into a neighbor's property and died.

Thompson's wife has returned to the farm and is talking to authorities. Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, said the wife begged authorities not to take her "babies," but he convinced her to let the animals go and work it out later.

"I held her, I felt her shock. Her animals are gone. Her family is gone. Everything in her life is gone," Hanna said.

The animals that were killed by authorities likely will be buried on Thompson's property.

Lutz defended the shooting of the escaped animals. He said when deputies arrived at the house, there were large animals trying to escape. The deputies had to shoot them with their sidearms.

"Public safety was my No. 1 concern," Lutz said. "I gave the order that if the animals looked like they were going to get out, they were going down."

Hanna called this morning for the state to enact regulations to crack down on the possession, breeding and selling of exotic animals.

"I went to school at Muskingum (College)," he said. "It's like Noah's ark wrecked."

Hanna said he has talked to the governor's office about enacting stricter exotic animal laws.

"We need to set an example in the state of Ohio," he said. "There was a loss of life here, and we thank God it was not human life. It was animal life, and that's my life."

Hanna also defended the deputies shooting the animals.

The deputies were assisted by the State Highway Patrol, authorities from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Wilds, the state Division of Wildlife, the county Emergency Management Agency and township fire departments.

A plan to bring in a patrol helicopter with a thermal-imaging camera to find animals last night was scuttled last night by stormy weather.

Zanesville, West Muskingum and Maysville school districts, as well as Muskingum County Starlight School, all canceled classes for Wednesday to keep children inside. Lutz also recommends that residents remain inside today and call 911 if any wild animal is seen.Lutz said the incident began about 5:30 p.m., when the sheriff’s office began receiving calls that wild animals were running loose in the area of Kopchak Road, which is in Falls Township and just west of Zanesville.

Lutz said that four deputies with assault rifles in a pickup truck immediately went to 270 Kopchak Rd., where a 46-acre “wild-animal-rescue farm” owned by Thompson borders I-70.

There, Lutz said, they found Thompson dead outside his house and “every single animal-cage door open.”Lutz said the deputies saw a number of animals standing outside their cages, still on the property, while others had escaped a fence that surrounds Thompson’s property. Deputies immediately began shooting animals, he said.

Lutz said the fence on Thompson's property isn’t designed to keep in wild animals.

Lutz said a man who is a caretaker on the animal preserve told deputies that 48 animals lived in cages outside the house on the property. More animals — mostly monkeys, baboons and apes — lived inside Thompson’s house, the man said.

Those inside the house were still in the cages, Lutz said.

Late last night, there was a report of a wolf and a bear still roaming at least 4 miles from the farm property. One animal was struck by a car and later killed.

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office also received at least four phone calls from residents reporting exotic-animal sightings. SWAT officers with night-vision equipment were searching for animals in Licking County early this morning.

Lutz said Muskingum County deputies had fatally shot and killed at least 25 animals when they first drove to the property. A wolf and bear also reportedly were killed along I-70.

He said that officials from the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds came in shortly after the discovery with tranquilizer guns, hoping to capture some animals alive.

Thompson, 62, was released from federal prison just three weeks ago, after serving a one-year term.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had raided Thompson’s Kopchak Road property in June 2008, seizing more than 100 guns. In April 2010, Thompson pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbus to two federal charges: possession of a machine gun and possession of short firearms without serial numbers.

Under terms of his release, Thompson was confined to his home for a year.

Thompson also was convicted in Muskingum County Municipal Court in 2005 of cruelty to animals, having an animal at large and two counts of rendering animal waste without a license. The charges stemmed from allegations that three cows and a bison had died on another property he owned, on Boggs Road in Perry Township, east of Zanesville.

Neighbors there had lodged numerous complaints about him letting his animals wander. Thompson was put on house arrest for six months and paid a $2,870 fine in that case. He also was ordered to move his animals to his Kopchak Road land.

Ohio has no rules regulating the sale and ownership of exotic animals.

Former Gov. Ted Strickland had attempted to enforce such a law, but Gov. John Kasich allowed an executive order to expire.

“There really needs to be some legislation changed on how these things are going on in the state of Ohio,” Lutz said.

Kate Riley, 20, who lives in western Muskingum County, said that Thompson has had lions, tigers and a bear get loose in the past.

Riley’s family owns a feed cattle farm nearby and said that Thompson would come and take their dead cows to feed his lions.

“He’d have claw marks all over him,” she said.

Riley said she understands that Thompson’s wife, Marian, recently left her husband and moved out.

Patti Peters, a spokeswoman for the Columbus Zoo, said staff members were at a dinner last night for the International Rhino Foundation when they heard about the incident. Five staff members from the zoo and the Wilds immediately went to help, she said.

Larry Hostetler, executive director of the Animal Shelter Society of Muskingum County, said the sheriff’s office and state officials had visited the Kopchak Road property in 2008 on a complaint that animals weren’t being taken care of there. The inspection, however, found acceptable treatment, Hostetler said.

Adelbert G. Kempf Jr, a retired veterinarian in Heath, said he inspected Thompson’s horses that day. He said thatThompson told him that he was running a rescue operation for horses.

“ He was far from that,” Hostetler said. “He was more of an animal collector.”

At one point, Thompson took three lion cubs to New York City for a photo shoot with model Heidi Klum. On another occasion, he brought animals to a 2007 community pet fair in Muskingum County. Thompson and his wife brought bear cubs, lions cubs and a baby ape, Hostetler said.

He said the wild animals disrupted the fair because they weren’t friendly.

“We had to change the advertisement in following years to say bring your domestic pets,” Hostetler said. “He was a piece of work.”

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/10/18/Wild-animals-loose-in-Muskingum-County.html

Saranda springs tiger surprise

2011-10-17T00:07:00.000-04:00

Saturday, 15 October 2011 23:40 Sayantanee Choudhury

If the inhabitants of the Asia’s biggest Sal forest, Saranda, and initial evidence are to be believed, then its good news in the offing for wildlife lovers. Contrary to the general perception that big cats never existed in Saranda, there are hints for the first time of a tigress and a couple of cubs living there.

A team of wildlife experts has been rushed to the spot to examine tiger pugmarks found recently in the dense forest cover of Jharkhand. The team will also collect excreta and shed fur samples.

According to Saranda divisional forest officer KK Tiwari, locals spotted few unfamiliar pugmarks and informed the forest officials. “People even claimed to have seen one tigress and two cubs in the forest,” he added. However, the sighting is yet to be verified.

Jharkhand wildlife warden AK Gupta said, “A team of six members — including local wildlife officers and members from Ranchi — have been sent to Saranda to collect samples.”

He added that a large numbers of leopards and hyena inhabited Saranda earlier and that the forests often give conflicting signals on the presence of big cats.

Saranda is considered an unspoilt world, where nature rules supreme. It is the home of the endangered flying lizard. It is famous for its Sal forests and majestic elephants. However, news of tigers in the area then would definitely be good.

“The samples will be sent for forensic examination and results will be available within 10 days. Since there were no evidences of existence big of cats earlier, so we want to get a confirmed report from the forensic laboratory,” Gupta said.

The Singhbhum Elephant Reserve is the only elephant reserve which exists in this forest, with traditional routes taken by the pachyderms. “We are also trying to trace the routes of the tigers, if they are in the forest. No big cats have shown their existence even in neighbhouring Dalma forests either. It is possible that the tiger family has migrated from Odisha or Andhra Pradesh,” said the wildlife warden.

Gupta added, “Of late, tigers are probably trying out new routes. Few of them might have been isolated towards the Saranda forest and are trying to re-establish themselves here.”

http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/ranchi/13586-saranda-springs-tiger-surprise.html

Environmentalists and investors draw claws over plan

2011-10-16T23:47:00.002-04:00

Next generation ... $30 million has been ploughed into helping secure the future of the endangered South China tiger. Photo: courtesy Li Quan

Ben Cubby
October 17, 2011.

A BOLD plan to shield the South China tiger from extinction has become a battleground between environment groups and so-called ''angel investors'', who have plunged $30 million in cash into the big cats' future.

Li Quan, a former executive at fashion label Gucci, and her financier husband Stuart Bray, have been working for 13 years to rebuild a sustainable tiger population. Perhaps fewer than 20 South China tigers are thought to still inhabit remote and mountainous regions of China's south. They are likely to be extinct in the wild within a decade.

The couple have sunk a fortune into a breeding program for cubs in South Africa, and are now ready to start sending them to China for release.

The Save China's Tigers program has just been recognised as a charity in Australia. But it has been criticised by some environment groups, including the international arm of WWF. The battle highlights the critical choices behind many conservation decisions

In a letter seen by the Herald, WWF said the program is misguided, and the $30 million in funding would be more wisely deployed elsewhere. Others have publicly described the plan as a ''vanity project''.

''Yes of course I have heard this term 'vanity project','' Ms Quan said. ''The criticisms have been coming for many years now, but we are doing the right thing for the animals, we are sure of that.''

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/environmentalists-and-investors-draw-claws-over-plan-20111016-1lrlj.html

Fisherman killed by tiger in Sunderbans

2011-10-16T23:29:00.001-04:00

Ananya Dutta
KOLKATA, October 17, 2011

A fisherman was killed by a tiger deep inside the forests of the Sunderban Biosphere Reserve on Sunday.

Satyabrata Jana of Kultuli had gone fishing with four others in the Gazikhali forest area within the Sajnekhali wildlife sanctuary. They had spread their nets in the waters and were sitting on the land when a tiger attacked the group, Subrat Mukherjee, field director of Sunderban Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu over telephone.

“We have received reports of one person being killed by a tiger. They had gone fishing in the restricted area of the forest and did not have a permit for fishing,” Mr. Mukherjee said.

Since Mr. Jana was killed in the restricted areas of the forest, his family will not be eligible for the compensation that is given to victims of tiger attacks.

Illegal fishing in the restricted areas of the forest is a perennial problem that plagues the region and results in several incidents of man-animal conflict.

“The fishermen try their best to dodge the guards of the Forest Department and enter the restricted areas. Since they are flouting the rules they are not entitled to any compensation if any such incidents occur,” said Sarba Mondal, a resident of the Sunderban islands.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2543424.ece

3 Bor tigers can be rehabilitated: WII team

2011-10-16T23:15:00.001-04:00

Vijay PinjarkarVijay Pinjarkar, TNN Oct 17, 2011, 05.29AM IST

NAGPUR: Amid debate over proposed release of three rescued tigers in Bor wildlife sanctuary, 60km from Nagpur, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, has submitted a positive report about their release.

After assessing the three tigers - two female and one male - a two-member WII team, consisting of scientist K Ramesh Kumar and veterinarian Dr Parag Nigam, said that the Bor tigers are good candidates for rehabilitation in the wild. The team had visited Bor on October 4. The team submitted the report to A K Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), East, Nagpur, four days ago.

The WII team was accompanied by A Ashraf, chief conservator of forests (CCF) & field director, Pench. The members, who were in Bor for over two hours, said that the tigers were in good condition, even better than those released in Panna.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had sent the team only after principal secretary (forest), Maharashtra, Praveen Pardeshi continuously took up the matter before the authorities. This comes after the respective chief wildlife wardens and officials had written a series of letters to the NTCA but failed to elicit any response. This bureaucratic red tapism led to unwarranted delay in deciding the fate of these cubs, which were rescued from Dhaba forest range in Gondpipri in Chandrapur district in September 2009.

"Our first priority is to shift the Bor tigers to a bigger enclosure in Pench. Funds for this have already been sanctioned. Releasing the cubs into the wild doesn't come in our domain. The final decision in this regard will be taken only after consulting NTCA. Entire protocol will be followed," Saxena told TOI.

Wild life experts had claimed that the cubs were 14-months-old when found and hence, are over three years of age now. They look quite grown up. However, the WII team have fixed the age of the cubs at around two-and-half-years.

Initially, the tigers were kept in small cages for treatment in Chandrapur before being shifted to Bor on November 9, 2009, with an aim to rehabilitate them. It has been two years since, but neither serious efforts nor right steps were taken to see that the tigers were relocated successfully. The team also stressed the need for giving live feed to the tigers, which is not being made available.

NTCA joint director S P Yadav told TOI that the matter is under consideration and a committee has been constituted to examine the issues related to orphaned cubs in India, which will decide the fate of such cubs.

Pardeshi said, "WII and NTCA have been asked to give permission for the rehabilitation and only under their guidance, we will release the tigers into the wild."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/3-Bor-tigers-can-be-rehabilitated-WII-team/articleshow/10383247.cms

Zoo park stripped of striped beauty

2011-10-11T15:58:00.000-04:00

Hyderabad Posted on Oct 11, 2011 at 08:40am IST

HYDERABAD: At a time when the decreasing tiger count in the state has been of much concern, the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad lost Karuna, a 24-year-old Royal Bengal Tiger. The average life span of the Bengal Tiger is about 15-20 years. Karuna died of senility and multiple organ failure on Sunday.

The Nehru zoo park has 13 yellow tigers and 7 white tigers. The total number of tigers in AP zoos is about 46, including 7 yellow tigers and 9 white tigers at the Visakhapatnam zoo, 2 yellow tigers and 8 white tigers at the Tirupati zoo. The AP Forests and Wildlife Conservation department is setting out on yet another tiger count exercise from the first week of November which will continue till December-end.

“We will use hi-tech tracing cameras to get accurate statistics,” chief conservator of forests and chief wild life warden, Hitesh Malhotra said. Currently, 40 cameras are setup at the Nagarjunasagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).

Two hundred more will be added to this number. Fifty cameras will be set up at the Kawal Sanctuary, recently recognised as the Kawal Tiger Reserve, according to the chief conservator of forests. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Compensatory Afforestation, Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) will arrange funds for the project.

AK Naik, conservator of forests of AP, who is leading Project Tiger, said the cameras will be installed in pairs at strategic points like water bodies in the forests. Whenever a tiger moves in the vicinity, sensors of the camera detect its presence and the photo is captured. Since each tiger has unique body stripes, the number of tigers in a particular area can be ascertained. As per the India tiger estimate 2010 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the number of tigers in the country is 1,706, while in Andhra Pradesh, it is seventy.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/zoo-park-stripped-of-striped-beauty/191885-60-121.html

Film on R'bore tiger wins 3 awards in US

2011-10-11T15:23:00.003-04:00

Anindo DeyAnindo Dey, TNN Oct 11, 2011, 02.28AM IST

JAIPUR: In a rare laurel for Ranthambore National Park, a documentary film on a tiger at the park has recently won three awards including that of the 'best film award' at a film festival in Jackson Hole, US. The film christened 'Broken Tail' is the true story of a tiger in the park which had disappeared but survived in an unprotected hinterland for several months and eventually died after a train hit him. The film won three awards in separate categories for the best overall film, best conservation film and best presenter at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival (JHWFF).

Internationally renowned as the largest and most prestigious biennial competition of the nature genre, this year's festival that concluded on October 8 included 510 films from more than 30 countries in 800 categories. According to conservationist Aditya Singh of Ranthambore Bagh, who was part of the production crew in India, "Broken Tail was one of the two male cubs of Machali, Ranthambore's best know tigress. In the summer of 2000, sometime in April, Machali mated with a large male tiger called "Bamboo Ram" and three-and-a-half months later, she gave birth to her first litter of two male cubs called Broken Tail (because his tail was broken) and Slant Ear. By the end of December 2001, both these cubs separated from Machali and we never saw Slant Ear again," says Singh. The production team also included conservationist Dharmendra Khandal.

"For about a year-and-a-half, Broken Tail stayed in a small territory at the edge of Ranthambore National Park, not really a great neighbourhood for tigers. Somewhere in the summer of 2003, Broken Tail decided to leave Ranthambore and in August 2003, a passenger train ran over him, in Darrah sanctuary, nearly 100 miles away from Ranthambore. It took the forest department and everyone else, including us, over a year to realize that the tiger that was run down by the train was Broken Tail," he said. Directed by John Murray and Colin Stafford-Johnson, who spent about 600 days filming the documentary. Broken Tail had posed for the camera in his initial days, but one day it suddenly disappeared, abandoning the sanctuary.

Barely three-years-old then, Broken Tail had made an unprecedented 200 km trek across densely populated countryside while wildlife cameraman Stafford Johnson retraces the steps of the tiger. "Colin had come down to Ranthambore in 2005 to shoot a film for Tokyo Broadcasting Service and that is when he thought of doing a film on Broken Tail's journey. For the next four years, Colin, Salim Ali, one of Ranthambore's best guides, and I researched the film. This included tracking down the path that Broken Tail would have taken from Ranthambore to Darrah.

We did this by inputs from villagers, who had either seen him or whose cattle Broken Tail had killed, forest guards who had seen him or his pugmarks. We interviewed over 200 people including the train driver whose train ran the tiger down in a tunnel in Darrah. The actual filming started in 2009 and was over in 2010. However a lot of the footage was actually shot from 2001 onwards, when Broken Tail was a cub," he adds.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Film-on-Rbore-tiger-wins-3-awards-in-US/articleshow/10307317.cms

Four rare Sumatran tigers born at Oklahoma City Zoo

2011-10-09T21:29:00.004-04:00

BY CARRIE COPPERNOLL ccoppernoll@opubco.com Oklahoman
Published: October 5, 2011

Four Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The cubs are the first Sumatran tigers born at the zoo, and officials nationwide are excited about the addition to the captive population. There are only 71 Sumatran tigers in North American zoos and about 230 in the wild.

The cubs are the first of their kind born at the zoo, and they're some of the rarest tigers in the world.

The cubs — one male and three females — will be on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

They were born July 9 and are the first for mother, Suriya, and father, Raguno. The cubs now weigh about 30 pounds each.

Officials waited three months to announce the birth of the tiger cubs because they didn't want to tell the public until the animals were outside on display, said Alan Varsik, assistant zoo director.

“People would want to come here to see them, and we wouldn't want to disappoint,” he said.

Keepers let the cubs briefly explore their outdoor habitat earlier this week, but Tuesday was their first full day outside as a family.

The outdoor area has plenty of rocks and drop-offs, so supervisors wanted to be sure the cubs were agile and coordinated enough to be safe, said Jonathan Reding, supervisor of Cat Forest and Lion Overlook

The cubs will stay with their mother until they mature at about 2 years old. From there, the tigers may stay in Oklahoma or be assigned to other zoos, Reding said.

The mating efforts lasted more than three years, Reding said. Keepers had to wait for just the right timing to partner the normally solitary animals.

“We've been very successful with other species,” Reding said. “But this one, we've been trying the hardest with. This is probably one of the most anticipated births that we've had.”

Only 71 Sumatran tigers live in captivity in North American zoos, and about 230 live in the wild, according to the Tiger Species Survival Plan, a nationwide breeding strategy designed to keep the captive tiger population healthy and genetically diverse.

The birth of the four Oklahoma City cubs is exciting, said Tara Harris, coordinator of the Tiger Species Survival Plan.

A thriving tiger population in captivity is sort of a genetic insurance policy for tigers in the wild, Harris said.

“Tiger populations in the wild are very endangered, and the threat of extinction is real,” Harris said.

“We know that three subspecies of tigers have already gone extinct in the last hundred years. With this critically endangered population of Sumatran tigers, we want to make sure we can prevent their extinction with this backup population.”

Harris said she would like to see the captive Sumatran tiger population grow to 150.

http://newsok.com/four-rare-sumatran-tigers-born-at-oklahoma-city-zoo/article/3610544

Russian and US veterinarians collaborate to solve mysterious wild tiger deaths

2011-10-03T02:34:00.003-04:00

A camera trap image of a Siberian (Amur) tiger in the Russian Far East. A team of health experts from the Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society and several Russian organizations have confirmed the presence of distemper in wild tiger populations, a finding that will enable conservationists to formulate measures to mitigate this recent threat. Credit: Image courtesy of WCS Russia

September 30, 2011

A' team of Russian veterinary colleagues and health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo are collaborating to understand how distemper -- a virus afflicting domestic dogs and many wildlife species -- may be a growing threat to Siberian (Amur) tigers.

The team presented its results at the first-ever Russian symposium on wildlife diseases held this week in the Russian Far East city of Ussurisk. The symposium underscores the growing recognition of the importance of the health sciences to successful wildlife conservation efforts.

Working at WCS's Wildlife Health Center at the Bronx Zoo, Russian health experts and WCS pathologists used histology along with PCR and DNA sequencing to confirm and characterize the infection in two wild Siberian tigers from the Russian Far East. This diagnosis provides long-awaited genetic confirmation of the fact that distemper is impacting wild tigers, which WCS and Russian colleagues first documented in 2003.

The collaboration will enable conservationists to formulate health measures to counter this latest threat to the world's largest cat.

The participants in the partnership included: Drs. Irina Korotkova and Galina Ivanchuk from the Primorskaya State Agricultural Academy; Elena Lyubchenko, county veterinarian for Ussuriski County, Drs. Anastasia Vysokikh and Mikhail Alshinetskiy from the Moscow Zoo; and Drs. Denise McAloose and Tracie Seimon from WCS.

Last year a tigress "Galia" -- studied by WCS researchers for eight years in Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve in the Russian Far East -- walked into the village of Terney. Galia displayed abnormal neurologic signs, seemingly unfazed by the new surrounding, appeared gaunt, and was searching for dogs as an easy meal. The tiger was shot by local police after several capture attempts failed. In November 2003, a similar event occurred when an otherwise healthy looking wild tigress walked into the village of Pokrovka in Khabarovski Krai. WCS staff working in the area immobilized the animal and worked with local Russian veterinarian Evgeny Slabe in treating the tiger, which later died in captivity. Samples for the diagnosis of distemper were collected only from these two animals.

Several other examples of tigers entering villages or stalling traffic on major roadways -- behavior possibly indicative of distemper -- have been reported in recent years.

"This exchange provides a foundation for elucidating potential disease threats to tigers in the Russian Far East," said Irina Korotkova of the Primorskaya Agricultural Academy. "Understanding the role of distemper in our wild Amur tiger population is vitally important."

Distemper is found worldwide in domestic dogs and has caused infection and death in wild species such as lynx and bobcats in Canada, Baikal seals in Russia, lions in the Serengeti ecosystem in Africa, and raccoons and the endangered black footed ferret in the United States.

"With all the threats facing Siberian tigers from poaching and habitat loss, relatively little research has been done on diseases that may afflict tigers," said Dale Miquelle, WCS Director of Russia Programs. "There are no records of tigers entering villages and behaving so abnormally before 2000, so this appears to be a new development and new threat. Understanding whether disease is a major source of mortality for Siberian tigers is crucial for future conservation efforts."

Anatoly Astafiev, Director of Sikhote-Alin Reserve, said, "We have seen a fall in tiger numbers within our reserve, so it is very important to know that at least one of the causes is a recognizable disease, something we may be able to address and potentially prevent."

Canine distemper is controlled in domestic dogs through vaccination. In Africa, massive vaccination campaigns of dogs in villages surrounding the Serengeti appear to have been effective in reducing the disease's impact on lions.

Dr. Denise McAloose, WCS's Chief Pathologist and leader of the investigation, said, "This is a great example of what international collaboration can achieve. Without our Russian associates there on the spot, knowing what samples to collect and how to preserve these specimens, samples would never have made it to our lab, and the cause of death would remain unknown. It's great that we're all here together to work on this issue as a team."

WCS is working with staff from the Primorskaya Agriculture Academy and other partners to establish a wildlife lab in Ussurisk to facilitate local diagnostic testing, although it will take several years until the lab is adequately funded and fully functional.

McAloose added: "Until then, there's still much to do including identifying the source of the disease."

It is still uncertain how tigers may have contracted the disease and whether it originated in another wild animal species or domestic dogs, both of which can act as reservoirs for the infection.

Latest reports suggest that fewer than 3,500 tigers remain in the wild; 1,000 are breeding females.

Provided by Wildlife Conservation Society

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-09-russian-veterinarians-collaborate-mysterious-wild.html

Poor genetic diversity a threat to tigers, says study

2011-10-02T22:25:00.000-04:00

Krishnendu MukherjeeKrishnendu Mukherjee, TNN Oct 3, 2011, 03.59AM IST

KOLKATA: On her last legs, Machli - often called Ranthambore's matriarch for presiding over a majestic legacy of over a decade - can still make a tiger-lover crave for her glimpse. But her offsprings in the 400-500 sq km tiger abode in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district face a genetic threat that could hit the population hard in the long run.

While Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) was in news for a sudden population crash in 1992 and 2003, it assumes more significance in the light of a recent study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) that says tiger population in the park has shown a loss of genetic diversity over the years. "RTR tiger population is showing loss of many alleles, which may be due to an isolated population without any genetic exchange," said WII's Dr S P Goyal, the investigator of the report - 'Tiger Genome: Implications In Wildlife Forensics'. Alleles are a group of genes that decide an animal's hair colour and immunity, among other characteristics.

The park's tiger population had crashed to 12 in 1992 and 13 in 2003. It bounced back to 31 in 2010 but Dharmendra Khandal, a conservation biologist, feels lower genetic diversity would prove to be a new threat.

"Urbanisation and fragmentation in tiger corridors are the reasons. Ranthambore tigers used to take the Chambal river route to reach Madhya Pradesh's Kuno. But flattening of the river banks stopped tiger dispersal between Ranthambore and MP, resulting in no gene flow between the two tiger populations," he said.

"Since Sariska has lost all its tigers, now the nearest tiger reserve from Ranthambore is over 800 km away, be it Bandhavgarh, Corbett or Satpura," Khandal said. According to tiger expert Valmik Thapar, a growing human population is leading to encroachment of large landscapes making the survival of many species difficult.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Poor-genetic-diversity-a-threat-to-tigers-says-study/articleshow/10213128.cms

Tourists throng tiger reserves on first day of season

2011-10-02T22:23:00.000-04:00

TNN Oct 2, 2011, 10.22AM IST

JAIPUR/ALWAR: Living up to expectations, the Ranthambore tiger reserve saw a huge turnout of tourists, after a three month hiatus, on the first day of the season. Tourism also increased at the Sariska tiger reserve with 55 persons, including eight foreigners, making their way into it.

According to forest department officials, "The mood was upbeat at Ranthambore right from the morning. Around 20 Gypsies and nine canters made their way into the park and it included the conservationist Valmik Thappar. The tourists in the morning session spotted a sloth bear and a tiger in the Lakarda zone."

The evening session saw 22 Gypsies and 14 canters making their way into the park. Some tourists on a Gypsy spotted a tigress in the evening session.

"It was a great day at the Ranthambore reserve. As every year on the first day of the season we welcome tourists with a tilak as they enter the park and it happened this year too. The system of checking identity card was enforced and no fake booking was detected. They even managed to spot a tiger, T-16, in the morning session," said UM Sahai, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.

In Sariska some confusion prevailed when officials stopped Gypsies from going into the park saying only canters will be allowed inside. The Gypsy owners potested and even sent a protest letter to the Union minister of state for home Jeetendra Singh.

Accordind to Puranmal, a Gypsy owner, "In 2009, we were called by the then DFO Sudershan Sharma and were lured into buying Gypsies as he felt that the localites must get the benefit from the reserve. We had then bought our Gypsies and were even promised that we would be allowed to ply our vehicles for a long time. But this change in directives has been a blow to us. We will not allow the canters to ply under any condition."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tourists-throng-tiger-reserves-on-first-day-of-season/articleshow/10204250.cms

Mahabaleshwar farmers oppose tiger reserve

2011-10-02T22:18:00.000-04:00

TNN Oct 3, 2011, 02.05AM IST

PUNE: Thousands of farmers in Mahabaleshwar gathered on Sunday afternoon to oppose the Sahyadri Tiger Project, which was initiated last year by combining the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park in Satara as they fear it would hamper developmental activities. The meeting was held at Taldeo village, about 15 kms from Mahabaleshwar.

Balasaheb Bhilare, member of the Satara Zilla Parishad, said, "The tiger reserve project is most likely to affect people of Patan, Javali and Mahabaleshwar. For us, the only source of income is farming and tourism. If our lands are marked under the reserve, farming activities will stop and the affected families will have to find new sources of income."

The villagers also posed the question of security before the guardian minister. Bhilare said, "What security would villagers around the reserve get? They will be most exposed to the reserve and if animals walk into the village, it will pose a danger to them."

The conservation plan, which was declared by the state government last year, will come up in an area of 740.5 sq km spread across the districts of Satara, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Sangli. The tiger reserve will focus on conservation of habitat, breeding of tigers and ensure food and water availability for tigers.

Pramod Shelar, president of the Mahabaleshwar Taluka Sarpanch Sanghtna, said, "When farmers and villagers need to construct a house, there are several restrictions imposed. At the same time, the government is giving space for animals when human populations are multiplying every year. The government has still not relocated villagers displaced by the Koyna dam. The same situation will prevail with the tiger project as well."

The land for the reserve is divided into buffer and core areas. The core area will not have human habitation, while in the buffer areas animals and humans can coexist. The reserve includes 83 villages in both the sanctuaries that cover four districts - Satara, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Sangli. Many villagers have already been shifted and the remaining will be relocated soon.

Meanwhile, Nimbalkar has assured villagers that the issues will be taken up and discussed with the government and a solution will be arrived at after a proper study.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Mahabaleshwar-farmers-oppose-tiger-reserve/articleshow/10212375.cms

6 tiger cubs are Melghat's new guests

2011-10-02T22:10:00.000-04:00

Vijay PinjarkarVijay Pinjarkar Oct 3, 2011, 03.58AM IST

NAGPUR: While recent lynching of Navegaon National Park tigress in Bhakru Tola in Chhattisgarh by a furious mob came as a rude shock, there is a good news from Melghat - sighting of six new cubs has thrilled wildlife buffs and officials.

"In the past couple of months, tigresses with two cubs (around 6-8 months) each have been recorded in camera traps by the field staff in Sonala range in Ambabarwa wildlife sanctuary, part of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), Dhakna and Raipur ranges," revealed an overjoyed AK Mishra, field director and chief conservator of forests (CCF), MTR.

He adds, two months ago, driver of a forest vehicle sighted a tiger with a kill in Semadoh tourism zone. He also recorded the movements on his mobile. However, several such claims are not considered unless authenticated.

Tigers have always remain elusive in MTR, fondly called as the 'Kipling Country' and known for its mystifying landscape with high hills and deep valleys. Sighting of cubs in three places at a time makes big news in Melghat. Till now, such reports in the region could be heard only from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district which has a distinction of producing 12-15 tiger cubs every year.

Melghat, where sighting of tigers is like cracking jokes, has made a major turnaround over the last two years. The last such record of tiger sighting was in February 2009 from Narnala where a tigress with three cubs was sighted. "With the new additions, we expect tiger numbers to go up to 50-55," Mishra says. However, the NTCA-WII estimation of 2010 puts the tiger count in Melghat at 39.

About the success, Mishra says strengthening protection and group patrolling, awareness among villagers by distributing pamphlets and educating them and imposing curbs on grazing have led to improving the situation.

"Controlling forest fires is our big successes. From 7.5% with 401 cases, the number of incidents has been brought down to 3.2% with 177 cases," said Mishra.

"In the past two years, we seized around 500 cattle and filed cases in the court against illicit grazers. Such measures are yielding results," Mishra says. The field director said relocation of three villages - Barukheda, Amona and Nagartas in Wan sanctuary and partial relocation of Vairat and Churni villages in Melghat sanctuary has also helped in reducing grazing pressure of 4,500 cattle.

In 2006, MTR in Amravati was rated as 'poor'. However, in 2011, it has bounced back and has been graded as 'good' by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The result of 2011 management effective evaluation (MEE) puts MTR in line with high-profile reserves like Corbett, Dudhwa, Ranthambore and Manas.

Even tiger conservationist Kishore Rithe, who works in Melghat, admits protection mechanism has been revamped and is very systematic despite shortage of trained and good staff. "Villages in core are willing to resettle. If MTR hands over tourism management to communities, it will help improve livelihoods and thus increase public support for tigers," he adds.

Melghat's sweet success

* Better protection measures, foot patrolling monitoring mechanism

* Resettlement of 3 villages done in 2001-02 and 5 (two partially) in 2010

* Getting young forest guards posted in sensitive areas

* Concentrating on threats like overgrazing, encroachments and forest fires

The area

MTR 1,676.93 sq km

Gugamal NP 361.28 sq km

Melghat WS 788.75 sq km

Wan WS 211 sq km

Ambabarwa 127.11 sq km

Narnala WS 12.35 sq km

Buffer Zone & MUA 1,268 sq km

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/6-tiger-cubs-are-Melghats-new-guests/articleshow/10213121.cms

Two tiger cubs born at Toledo Zoo

2011-10-02T22:06:00.002-04:00

This den cam image shows two newborn tiger cubs, highlighted in the light gray circles, who were born at the Toledo Zoo to mother Marta. TOLEDO ZOO

The Toledo Zoo announced Friday the birth of two Amur tiger cubs.

The newborn big cats were born Monday to first-time mother, Marta.

"We remain cautious because litters to first-time mothers often do not survive,” the zoo posted online. “If all goes well, they should be on exhibit some time in January, 2012."

The cubs’ genders have not yet been determined. Amur tigers are classified as critically endangered, with an estimated population of fewer than 400 in the wild.

"Marta appears to be doing a really good job caring for the cubs, but we remain cautious because litters to first-time mothers often do not survive due to poor mothering skills," said Dr. Randi Meyerson, curator of mammals. "So far, Marta is displaying very good maternal behavior."

The average litter size for Amur tigers is two to four cubs.

Other newborns at the zoo include a baby giraffe named Tuli born on July 23 and a male African elephant calf, Lucas, who was born June 3. The baby pachyderm weighed just over 300 pounds when he was born

When Tuli was born, she stood 6 feet tall and weighed about 160 pounds at birth. She became the fifth member of the Zoo’s giraffe herd. Tuli joined her older brother, Enzi, along with father Mowgli and an unrelated female, Charlotte, on exhibit.

All five giraffe are Masai giraffe, the tallest animals on the planet, standing an average of 16 to 18 feet when fully grown. Despite their size, giraffe can run at speeds up to 35 mph. They can be identified by their irregularly shaped spots, which are as unique and identifiable as human fingerprints.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/09/30/Two-tiger-cubs-born-at-Toledo-Zoo.html

Three tigers find home at Big Cat Rescue in Citrus Park

2011-09-28T22:59:00.004-04:00

By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2011
Updated: September 28, 2011 - 1:06 PM

TAMPA -- Amanda, Andre and Arthur were delivered to their new home Wednesday morning, fresh off a 28-hour caged ride from Texas. They were more than a bit skittish from the experience.

"These have been the hardest three tigers we have ever dealt with," said Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue in Citrus Park, which accepted delivery of the three golden tigers. "They are so scared."

Workers at Big Cat Rescue move a tiger named Amanda to her new home Wednesday.

She said the 15-year-old tigers were born in a New Jersey facility that kept them in tight quarters, and "we think the transport trailers were kind of a reminder of that. They are just terrified."

Full-grown tigers don't stay scared long, though, and one by one, as they became accustomed to their new roomy enclosures, the cats began to loosen up.

"It's taking a very long time," she said about noon Wednesday as the second tiger was taken from the trailer to its new enclosure. "We're going slow. We don't want to scare the cats."

Amanda, Andre and Arthur were rescued from their rescuers, who had gone bankrupt last year.

In 2003, Wild Animal Orphanage, a sanctuary in San Antonio, adopted 24 tigers from a New Jersey facility that had been shut down by the state.

Over the next seven years, Wild Animal Orphanage spent more than it took in and declared bankruptcy last year. The sanctuary put out a call for help to the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, but it wasn't easy getting takers for the beasts, which cost about $10,000 a year to keep healthy and well fed.

That's when an anonymous donor, who had known the three tigers since they were cubs, stepped forward with needed cash, securing their trip to Big Cat Rescue.

The donation will pay for food and veterinary care for the three cats for the rest of their lives, which could be about five more years.

Over that time, the cats will live together, said sanctuary spokeswoman Susan Bass.

"We joined four enclosures together," she said. "Since they've been together their whole lives, we wanted to keep them together."

She said above-ground tunnels connect five pods in which the tigers will roam. "There is plenty of room for them to run around."

Big Cat Rescue currently houses more than 100 big cats and is the largest accredited sanctuary in the world dedicated solely to abused and abandoned exotic cats.

Related

Big Cat Rescue's website

Video: Preparations made for tigers

Make a donation

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/sep/28/3/3-tigers-find-new-home-at-big-cat-rescue-in-citrus-ar-261210/

Tigress killing condemned; NTCA to send fact-finding team

2011-09-26T23:43:00.000-04:00

Vijay PinjarkarVijay Pinjarkar, TNN Sep 26, 2011, 03.58AM IST

NAGPUR: Even as the brutal killing of the Maharashtra tigress by a furious mob in Bhakru Tola near Bamni on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border is being widely condemned, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will send a fact-finding team to ascertain the truth.

The full-grown tigress (around 4 years) was beaten to death right in front of the Rajnandgaon DFO and other field staff by a mob of over 5,000 villagers on Saturday.

"We've taken a serious note and are considering sending a fact-finding team to look into all aspects of the incident," SP Yadav, joint director of NTCA told TOI on Sunday.

When asked whether the NTCA nod was sought before releasing the tigress in the Navegaon National Park, Yadav said, he will have to check up. NTCA member-secretary Rajesh Gopal did not respond to the calls made to him.

State officials deny or are not ready to confirm whether it is the same tigress that was released in Navegaon. However, there are indications from the field staff that it is the same tigress that was spotted in the South Deori range. A forest official even confirmed that the pugmarks of the dead tigress matched with the ones recorded by them.

The brutal killing of tigress has come in for sharp criticism. Kishor Rithe, member, National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), condemned the act of the villagers. "People should feel ashamed for killing the vehicle of 'Durga' especially ahead of Navratri," he said.

When B Majumdar was PCCF (wildlife), he had started the practice of fitting transmitter chips below the tail of problem leopards trapped in Chandrapur. However, the practice seems to have been discontinued. Both the Katlabodi and the Navegaon tigress were not fitted with chips nor were they radio-collared.

Rithe said that such gears are good tools to monitor animals post their release into the wild. "The practice should not be stopped. If it is the Navegaon tigress, it supports the claim that there is a strong connectivity between Nagzira-Navegaon to the Chhattisgarh forest and tigers still disperse through the corridor which needs to be protected," Rithe said.

On the release of problem tigress in Navegaon, Rithe said every tigress which is released is only after permission from the NTCA. "If it is a fit case for release, then only NTCA gives it nod," he added.

Nitin Desai, director of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), Central India, says the incident proves that people don't have sympathy towards wildlife.

"It is still a source of cheap meat and tigers continue to be considered as perpetual nuisance. The department needs to wake up now," Desai stressed.

"Why was the tigress made a villain?" asks Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The tigress moved to Chhattisgarh from the Maharashtra side and it was the Chhattisgarh forest officials' duty to protect it.

This also indicates lack of coordination and monitoring from both states. It would have been better had the tigress been released in its original habitat in Brahmapuri.

"The Katlabodi tigress near Nagpur settled down after it was rescued and released back in the same habitat in January 2011," Bhamburkar said.

It is learnt that villagers armed with lathis were on the hunt for the tigress for the past eight days, especially after it killed a woman from Murmadi. This indicates that forest officials had no clue and hence police help was not taken.

Honorary wildlife warden of Gadchiroli MS Chouhan says the tigress gave enough indications by attacking scores of cows near Navegaon and South Deori.

Although difficult, officials should have tranquillised the beast after continuous monitoring. Once released, there was hardly any serious monitoring of the animal.

"It's really sad that the forest department has a separate publicity wing but no steps are taken to spread awareness among villagers about tiger dynamics. It happens only when such incidents take place," Chouhan added.

Meanwhile, People for Animals (PFA) termed the incident as one of the worst episodes of the 'save tiger' campaign. "Crores of rupees spent to save wild cats look a sham after the Bamni incident. Officials should not forget that it is because of tigers that they have their jobs. God will not forgive those responsible for the mess," remarked Karishma Galani, city PFA chief.

Will the killing hit Bor tigers' release?

The basic principle of re-introduction of tigers should be within the tigers' former natural habitat and range and should require minimal long-term management. This may be one of the reasons behind the killing of the Navegaon tigress in Bhakru Tola in Chhattisgarh. However, the tragic incident is likely to cast its shadow on the release of three tigers - two females and a male - back into the wild.

The wildlife wing is planning to shift the three tigers in a big enclosure of around 4-6 hectares to the Pench National Park. Subsequently, they will be released into the wild. However, after the Navegaon tigress mess, sources said that officials are in a quandary whether to release the Bor tigers in the wild or keep them in a big enclosure forever.

Wildlife experts say that animals kept in a cage for long periods of time make them unfit for 'translocation'. The three tigers in Bor have been in a small enclosure for two years.

The Navegaon tigress was in captivity for more than two months. Its release ended in disaster. Noted tiger experts, including Valmik Thapar and K Ullas Karanth have already sounded a note of caution. They said release of such tigers is full of problems. Unable to find their own source of food, they can turn into cattle lifters or man eaters.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tigress-killing-condemned-NTCA-to-send-fact-finding-team/articleshow/10120954.cms

Chhattisgarh villagers pound Maharashtra tigress to death

2011-09-26T23:36:00.000-04:00

Vijay Pinjarkar & Supriya Sharma, TNN Sep 25, 2011, 08.19am IST

NAGPUR/RAIPUR: In perhaps the first case of revenge killing of its kind, a tigress around 4-5 years old was beaten to death with stones and sticks on Saturday afternoon by a mob of over 5,000 people in Bhakru Tola near Bamni in Chhattisgarh.

The spot is about 6km from the Maharashtra border. There are possibilities that it is the same problem tigress which was captured from Umargunda talao in Brahmapuri (Chandrapur district) range on April 3 and released in Navegaon National Park on June 12 after treatment. Navegaon falls in Gondia district of Maharashtra and shares the border with Chhattisgarh.

Forest officials are issuing very guarded statements now. AK Saxena, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), Nagpur (East), said: "Unless we ascertain the facts, it is difficult to tell if it is the same." "The only fact that can be confirmed is that the killed animal is a tigress," said SV Ramarao, deputy conservator of forests, Gondia division very matter-of-factly. After six hours of being pounded by stones, when the bloodied tigress finally collapsed in a heap, a delirious cry broke out in the village. The villagers even took out a victory procession to celebrate the killing and refused to hand over the carcass to forest officials. The spot falls in Naxal-infested Churia forest range under Rajnandgaon division. TOI got to hear two versions of the incident. Some villagers spotted the tigress in a nullah at 6am on Saturday.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-25/nagpur/30200222_1_tigress-umargunda-forest-officials

Tiger's Day celebrated in Russia

2011-09-26T23:27:00.000-04:00

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:37a.m.

Vladivostok and several other cities in Russia's Primorsky Krai celebrated "Tiger's Day" over the weekend.

Tiger's Day is an annual festival celebrated in Russia to promote the protection of the Siberian Tiger, a mammal also known as the Amur or Manchurian Tiger.

In several Russian cities, orange became the most popular colour to wear, as locals and visitors alike celebrated the event. In Vladivostok, many children dressed up as tigers, and a number of young adults wore tiger stripes. On this particular Sunday, people around the city sported these tiger looks in promote the protection of tigers.

"(The Siberian Tiger) is gradually disappearing from Earth, and only very few are left. It's among the world's most endangered species," said one local youth.

Tiger's Day is an important festival recognised both by the government and local residents of Vladivostok. People paraded through the city all united under the common cause of raising awareness regarding one of the county's endangered animals. The city square also created an attraction for children to express their will to protect tigers by creating drawings.

According the activity's planners, more and more young people and organisations are being drawn to the festival. Nearly 50,000 people joined in this year's celebration, including many Chinese students currently studying in Russia. These exchange students are also very passionate about the cause.

"China also has few tigers, so we have to protect them, starting with any way we can help," a Chinese student said. Another student emphasized that, cracking down on illegal trading of tiger skin and tiger teeth is a very important part of the effort.

Since 2000, "Tiger's Day" has been celebrated on the last Sunday of every September in Vladivostok. The festival hopes to attract international attention in its effort to help the Siberian tigers and endangered species.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Tigers-Day-celebrated-in-Russia/tabid/1160/articleID/227433/Default.aspx

White tiger cubs at Vandalur await names

2011-09-26T22:59:00.001-04:00

TWN Note: Please read this excellent article "White Tigers: Conserving a Lie" http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2010/02/white-tigers-conserving-misery/

D MadhavanD Madhavan Sep 26, 2011, 03.16AM IST

CHENNAI: Chief minister J Jayalalithaa has an unusual task at hand - she has to give Tamil names to three white tiger cubs, who were born in the Vandalur zoo on August 5. Zoo officials had sent the proposal to the chief minister's office a few weeks ago, but are yet to get a response.

The idea to give Tamil names to the cubs was mooted by zoo officials in 2010. Instead of giving them common names such as Arumugam and Geetha (as the panther and bison at the zoo are called), the zoo officials wanted the cubs to be named after ancient Tamil scholars. Who better to do it than CM herself? In fact, when the DMK government was in power, M Karunanidhi had named a male and two female cubs Sembian, Indra and Valli respectively on September 16, 2010.

"Cubs have grown up to a stage where they respond to names as they are ready to eat on their own instead of relying on their mother's milk. Before they get familiarized with common names, it is better to give them Tamil names," a senior zoo official said.

The cub's parents, Bhishma (9) Anu (8), were brought to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur from the National Zoological Park in Delhi on October 1, 2006. Usually, white tiger cubs rely on mother's milk as the main source of food for a month. Thereafter, they would be given 250gm of small chopped pieces of chicken. Now, each cub weighs about 6kg.

Zoo officials said that it is easier for them to handle the cubs when they have been named. It helps him to feed and bathe the cubs and also respond to the calls/sounds made by the officials. "Once cubs become familiar to a particular name (sound) by which they were called, they will not respond to any other names. At Vandalur zoo, white tiger cubs are jewels on the crown and naming them by CM herself is a pride," said another zoo official.

In March 23, 2009, Anu gave first birth in her life time to three cubs at Vandalur zoo. However, a week later, one of the cubs died, while the other cubs (both are females and named Akansha and Amrutha) have grown up much healthier. Fifteen months later, she again gave birth to three cubs.

At present, Vandalur zoo has 18 tigers, including 10 white tigers. Of the over 230 zoos in the country, Vandalur is among a few to have white tigers. It is also the first zoo where white tigers have been successfully born in captive breeding.

Wildlife experts say India has nearly 100 white tigers. The Nandan Kanan zoo in Orissa, the world's largest habitat for white tigers, has 34 white tigers. Most of the white tigers were born through captive breeding. The white tigers measure about 13 feet from nose to tail with the females being slightly smaller. They weigh about 500-700 pounds and prey mainly on large animals such as antelope, deer and oxen. Their lifespan is about 10 years in the wild; it is nearly double that in captivity.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/White-tiger-cubs-at-Vandalur-await-names/articleshow/10120699.cms

Tiger 'nip' hospitalises Dreamworld handler

2011-09-26T22:24:00.002-04:00

Marissa Calligeros
September 25, 2011.

A Dreamworld employee remained in hospital overnight after being bitten by the same Bengal tiger responsible for biting another handler earlier this year.

Kato, the 160 kilogram Bengal tiger which bit handler Daniel Jans on the leg at Dreamworld in May, yesterday ‘‘nipped’’ another handler while being led through his enclosure about 9am.

The tiger handler, who is said to be in good spirits, was taken to Pindara Private Hospital on the Gold Coast with two puncture wounds to the lower right calf.

Dreamworld spokeswoman Melinda Lloyd said yesterday’s incident occurred in similar circumstances as the previous one when the impatient adult Bengal tiger gave his handler a ‘‘hurry up nip’’.

‘‘Today, the handler was leading the tiger through the enclosure behind Tiger Island and had stopped to open a gate when the tiger bit him,’’ she said yesterday

Ms Lloyd said handlers at the theme park would closely monitor 10-year-old Kato’s behaviour in light of the latest incident.

‘‘We will need to look at his behaviour to determine what may be agitating him in that area,’’ she said.

Ms Lloyd said the tigers have extremely rigid daily routines to help handlers identify any abnormal behaviour in the animals.

‘‘His routine was changed after the previous incident, but it may need to be changed again.’’

Kato will be back on public display and working with other handlers today, Ms Lloyd said.

Sports Minister Phil Reeves was at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island last night to officially open the 2011 Australian University Games, although it is understood he did not make Kato’s acquaintance.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/tiger-nip-hospitalises-dreamworld-handler-20110925-1kreb.html

Roar For Tony & Captive U.S. Tigers On World Animal Day October 4th, 2011

2011-09-26T21:38:00.004-04:00

World Animal Day is a special day to commemorate the respect and love we have for animals and also to bring attention to the importance of animals and raise awareness for them. It began in 1931 in Florence at a convention of ecologists as a means to highlight endangered species. Since then it has developed to include all animal life and countries around the world participate in and celebrate this day. World Animal Day is celebrated on October 4th – The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals.

We're getting an early start on this important day to raise awareness for Tony and 5,000 – 10,000 privately owned tigers in the United States.

Please participate in World Animal Day by taking these actions for Tony and captive tigers in the United States. This post is also mirrored as a Facebook online event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263918206981518

Petition Blitz For Tony

Via The Animal Legal Defense Fund: "The court has scheduled two new hearings in the Tony the Tiger case. On October 17th, the court will hear the State’s exceptions, which challenge the plaintiffs’ standing to bring the case. On November 2nd, the court will hear ALDF’s motion for a permanent injunction to revoke the permit that lets Michael Sandlin confine Tony at the Tiger Truck Stop.”

As of this post, Tony’s petitions have a combined total of 92,103 signatures – our goal: 100,000. Petitions are a great way to keep Tony's story active, people supportive and aslo demonstrate the vst amount of supporters Tony has all over the world who want to see him relocated to an accredited big cat sanctuary. Please sign the petitions and share them via email, Twitter and Facebook. There are easy sharing options at the links below.

ALDF Sponsorsed Petitions:

1. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6207 (37,807)

2. http://www.change.org/petitions/speak-out-for-tony-the-truck-stop-tiger (10,687)

Care2 Sponsored Petition:

3. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/129/272/008/ (43,609)

Tweet 4 Tony

Twitter has been a great networking tool for Tony; people all over the world have come to learn about and support Tony. If you have a Twitter account you can follow @FreeTonyTiger and @TonyTiger2000. Please tweet:

Roar 4 Tony @TonyTiger2000 & Captive U.S. #Tigers on @WorldAnimalDay Oct. 4 Info http://ow.ly/6E3PW #SaveTigersNow #FreeTonyNow Plz RT

and

Petition Blitz! Roar On To 100K Plz Sign & RT Tony's @TonyTiger2000 Petitions http://ow.ly/6DZQW @WorldAnimalDay Oct. 4 #FreeTonyNow

More links for Tony to share:

ALDF Page For Tony: http://www.aldf.org/tony

Join Tony on Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/FreeTonyTheTiger

Free Tony The Tiger On WordPress: http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/

Tony’s Story: http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/tonys-story/

Your Continued Support For Tony Is Needed!! (Contacts to write to at this link):

http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/your-continued-support-for-tony-is-needed/

Petition Links (Collective): http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/petitions/

Follow Tony On Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/FreeTonyTiger and http://twitter.com/#!/TonyTiger2000

Tony On Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/FreeTonyTheTiger

Big Cat Rescue’s (TampaFL) Free Tony Page: http://www.freetony.com/

Act.ly / Twitter Petition: http://act.ly/36o

Comment Period Extended To Oct. 21, 2011 For Proposal on Generic Tigers!!

One of the most important actions you can take for tigers is to submit a comment to the USFWS stating you support the proposal to eliminate the exemption for “generic” tigers at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FWS-R9-IA-2011-0027-14468 For more information please watch the following video courtesy of Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL and visit their action alert at: http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=53173501

Action Alert!! Save The Tiger! Courtesy of Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL

( Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLPJ3iR-ezg )

Tigers are not gimmicks, attractions, props or pets. Tony The Truck Stop Tiger represents one of the estimated 5,000* tigers privately owned in the United States whose numbers exceed tigers left in the wild. These captive U.S. tigers suffer in backyards as “pets,” in roadside zoos attractions and circuses, and are bred for profit; tiger cubs are exploited in photo ops and exhibitions, and others are condemned to canned hunts and sold on the black market.

Tigers in The U.S. Courtesy of Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL

( Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n80OuEA2f3w )

There is no conservation value in privately breeding tigers. The only sanctioned tiger breeding program in the United States is the Species Survival Plan in which AZA accredited zoos participate. Privately breeding tigers contributes to the escalating problem of privately owned tigers in the United States.

Backyard Tigers of America Courtesy of Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL

( Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLeXQQaBkDg )

Tiger cubs are exploited and abused in money-making ploys disguised as “educational shows.” There is nothing educational about displaying cubs in hands-on exhibitions and photo ops – but it is how individuals and pseudo-sanctuaries capitalize on the appeal of these baby tigers and other big cat cubs to lure the public into their unscrupulous schemes. Exploiting tiger cubs by allowing the public to interact with them is not educational, but dangerous and misleading, as well as harmful to the cubs. The real life horrors these cats face once they shed their “cuteness” and turn into 300 to 500 lb. predators are years of captive life in deplorable conditions. Please don’t contribute to this abuse by engaging in these exhibitions, supporting or promoting them.

Cute Tiger Cubs - Robbed from the Cradle Courtesy of Big Cat Rescue - Tampa FL

( Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cS5wINA53g )

What you can do to help tigers:

Do not patronize or support events that exploit tigers and tiger cubs (or any big cats.)

If there’s an online article about a show coming to a mall, fair, or a circus employing animal acts, comment on it voicing your concern for the animals and your opposition to such shows. Share the information via Twitter and Facebook and ask others to do the same. You can also contact the venue to tell them you do not support such exhibitions of animal cruelty and abuse. If you do see a traveling exhibit, particularly one with cubs, report it to info@BigCatRescue.org

Visit Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL’s Action Alerts for ways you can advocate for big cats: http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/home/

Share links to videos and articles about tigers to network the plights they face both in captivity and the wild – some of which have been included in this post.

Support true accredited sanctuaries that provide caring proper homes for big cats such as:

Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL http://www.bigcatrescue.org/

The WildCat Sanctuary http://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/

WildCat Haven http://www.wildcathaven.org/

Facilities that breed, buy, sell, force their animals to perform and exhibit them off site are just profiting from these animals and should be avoided.

Such majestic and magnificent cats like tigers should be respected and protected and it is up to those of us who care about Tony and tigers like him to continue to be a strong voice for them. Thank you.*

For more information about World Animal Day, visit their website at: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/index.asp

MISSION STATEMENT – WORLD ANIMAL DAY

To celebrate animal life in all its forms

To celebrate humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom

To acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives – from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives

To acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives.

*Some content originally posted at: http://tigerworldnews.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/tigers-need-us/

IFAW Launches 'Will Only Words Remain?' Campaign During Tiger Day Celebrations in Russia

2011-09-23T23:51:00.000-04:00

Press Release Sept. 23, 2011, 10:32 a.m. EDT

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As thousands of Russians prepare to celebrate annual Tiger Day festivities this weekend from Moscow to Vladivostok, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org ) is launching a public awareness campaign, Will Only Words Remain?, to promote tiger conservation throughout the Russian Far East, home to the last few hundred Siberian (Amur) tigers.

"Tiger Day provides an opportunity for the Russian people to celebrate tigers and better understand their plight," said Masha Vorontsova, Director of IFAW Russia. "This is also a good time to remind the Russian government that they must stay focused on their commitment to tiger conservation, or only words, not tigers, will remain."

The world's wild tiger population has plummeted by 97% over the past century; as few as 3,000 survive in small pockets of scattered habitat in 13 Asian countries.

Just 10 months ago, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin brought together the leaders of tiger range countries in St. Petersburg to forge a new global plan with specific commitments and time-lines to save these critically-endangered animals. However, Russia has not yet joined the Global Tiger Forum, which is the world's only intergovernmental organization dedicated to tiger conservation.

"Tigers are in dire trouble. No single government or organization can save this critically-endangered species on its own," said Vorontsova. "It's time for Russia to join the Global Tiger Forum and continue the momentum of the St. Petersburg summit by working with all tiger range countries to conserve critical habitat, stop poaching and end all trade in tiger body parts and products."

During Tiger Day celebrations at the Moscow Zoo on September 24 and in Vladivostok on September 25, IFAW is partnering with the US Embassy to present a new U.S. postage stamp featuring an image of an Amur tiger cub. The special stamp, which was first unveiled in the United States on 20 September, will cost 11 cents more than regular U.S. stamps. The extra money generated will go toward an international conservation fund for some of the most threatened animal species around the globe: elephants, rhinoceros, great apes, marine turtles, as well as tigers.

For more than 10 years, Russia's Tiger Day has been organized annually on the last Sunday in September by regional and municipal governments in partnership with IFAW, Phoenix Foundation, the Amur branch of WWF, AMUR Fund, and corporate sponsors. Officials, celebrities, musicians and thousands of local people take part in Tiger Day parades, festivals, education programs and concerts throughout the country.

IFAW works on the front lines of tiger protection in Russia by supporting and equipping ranger teams that have been instrumental in reducing poaching of tigers and their prey in protected reserves of the Russian Far East. IFAW has also trained and equipped more than a third of India's anti-poaching force.

To promote cross-border cooperation among wildlife enforcement teams, IFAW conducts bilateral trainings and visits between Russian and Indian rangers to share best practices about tiger conservation.

"These 'Tiger Watch' exchanges are especially meaningful for Russian rangers," said Vorontsova. "Wild tigers are so rare in Russia that most of our anti-poaching rangers have never seen one alive."

At Tiger Day in Vladivostok this Sunday, IFAW will announce the names of the two Russian rangers from the region who have earned a spot on the next Tiger Watch exchange with India in February 2012.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ifaw-launches-will-only-words-remain-campaign-during-tiger-day-celebrations-in-russia-2011-09-23

PETA Chides Ringling Bros. for Federal Inspection of Tiger Hurt in Anaheim and Ill Elephant in LA

2011-09-22T03:50:00.002-04:00

By Matt Coker Wed., Sep. 21 2011 at 3:44 PM

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was cited for "serious violations" of the federal Animal Welfare Act during this summer's engagements at the Honda Center in Anaheim and Staples Center in Los Angeles, an animal rights group charges.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report provided to the Weekly by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) does show concerns were raised about the care of 9-year-old female tiger Kimba and 35-year-old female Asian elephant Banko, who performed in Anaheim and LA respectively.

On Aug. 5, which was two days before the circus ended its Anaheim run, Kimba received a laceration when a handler accidentally closed the gate of an transport cage on her tail. According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service report dated Aug. 25 and prepared by staff veterinarian Pamela L. Smith:

In the medical record for Kimba on 8/6/11 the director of veterinary services states that the veterinary technician had called her and said that, "Kimba had caught her tail in a transfer cage last night and had about a one-inch cut near the tip of her tail." A record created by the consulting veterinarian on 8/8/11 described the wound as follows: "the cut is about 1 1/2 inches long and 1/2 wide and is approximately 1-2 inches from the distal tail tip."

The inspection report goes on to state that the veterinarian technician understood a handler closed the gate on the tiger's tail, but she was unsure of the details.

It was unclear whether this was the result of a problem with the cage, a personnel training deficit, or simple human error. We asked to interview the employee involved, but access to that employee was denied by staff.

As you might expect, PETA's Senior Media Coordinator David Perle zeroed in on that last bit in his email about the inspection report to the Weekly, actually underlining for emphasis: "Ringling denied the USDA access to the employee involved."

But Steve Payne, spokesman for Virginia-based Feld Entertainment that owns the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, said the reason the handler was not made available for an interview was because the USDA inspector had already worked out Kimba's future care with circus management.

"That was after the fact," Payne said of the USDA request to speak with the handler. "[Management] already answered all their questions."

The inspection report recommendation when it came to the Kimba incident essentially boils down to being more careful in the future and reviewing past incidents to see if staff training and/or animal equipment should be modified. As the report succintly put it:

To be corrected from this time forward.

Medical records supplied to the USDA also showed that at Staples on July 20, 2011, Banko the elephant suffered from diarrhea and abdominal discomfort that required pain medication. The inspection report goes into detail about the symptoms and medications she endured for the next couple days before her appetite and demeanor returned to normal.

But federal inspectors were also told by a staff veterinary technician and a consulting veterinarian who was not on site when Banko first started suffering from her ailments that she "was required to participate in the 7/20/11 performance in Los Angeles . . ."

The vet tech told us that Banko seemed comfortable enough to perform, and that to seperate her from the elephant group would have been more distressing to her.

This did not appease the USDA inspector.

Animals should not be required to perform when they are experiencing pain and distress. Requiring animals to perform when they are experiencing pain or discomfort is not a condition consistent with their good health and well being. Appropriate planning and training measures should be put into effect in order to allow animals to be excused from performing in the event that they are experiencing any condition such as pain, discomfort, or illness that would make performing inconsistent with their good health and well being.

To be corrected from this time forward.

In the notes section that concludes the report, the inspector states that, "Sarah the Asian elephant was observed, and her medical records were examined, and USDA-APHIS-Animal Care will continue to review and monitor her situation."

The Weekly reported the Sarah situation, where the elephant fell while walking onto a boxcar in Anaheim, here:

Elephant on Ground Near Boxcar Brings Rashomon Explanations From Ringling Bros. and PETA

Rashomon would also describe the reactions of PETA and Ringling Bros. to the new inspection report, which even the animal rights group would have to agree with Feld's spokesman are "diametrically opposed."

"These are just the latest examples of the neglect and abuse of animals that mark Ringling's abysmal history of animal care," Perle of PETA tells the Weekly. I would be happy to provide you with documents and video footage from our extensive file on this notorious circus."

"We are proud of our veterinary care; our team has experience and education as they've proven every day," countered Feld's Payne, who accused PETA of relying on the opinions of veterinarians who are not with the circus animals every day as opposed to the circus', who are and "decades of experience."

He added that at the center of this all are veterinarians who disagree on how to care for the performing animals. Under Ringling Bros. care, Kimba's tail "is being treated and healing nicely," he said, while Banko is being treated the way her personal veterinarians "always do."

"She was kept with her herd mates," Payne added. "The way PETA is characterizing this is all wrong."

"Sarah is under the constant treatment of a veterinarian," according to Payne. "He sees these animals all the time and is very hands on. All our veterinarian team is."

According to PETA, Sarah "suffers from a purulent discharge from the vulva that may be related to a chronic rectovaginal fistula, a condition that she has suffered from for years."

Asked if he would characterize the USDA inspector findings as "routine," Payne would not characterize them that way.

"We are routinely inspected, by federal officials, state officials. Our inspections are constant," he said. "These really come down to veterinary opinion. PETA claims one thing based on their veterinarian with no experience hands on at all versus our veterinarians who travel constantly to maintain our records of animal care."

He believes the animal rights group is piling on to achieve an ultimate goal of stopping circus animals from performing.

"If I were to take the PETA philosophy to heart, I should go home and liberate my wiener dog," Payne said. "They are twisting facts to say they won. It's a disservice to the people who care for these animals. Caring for elephants is not an easy job. Neither is being one of our veterinarians."

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/09/ringling_bros_circus_animal_vi.php

New Tiger Cub Stamps Aim to Help Save Endangered Species

2011-09-22T00:32:00.003-04:00

Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society

Sep 21, 2011 10:36 AM ET
By OurAmazingPlanet Staff

A new U.S. postage stamp, the Save Vanishing Species stamp, was issued today (Sept. 20, 2011) by the U.S. Postal Service. The stamp, featuring an illustration of a tiger cub, supports efforts to save species like elephants, tigers, and great apes.

Vanishing Species stamps are now available at Post Office locations nationwide and online at shop.usps.com or tigerstamp.com. They will sell for 11 cents greater than a First Class Mail stamp — 55 cents — and $11 for a sheet of 20. Also available is a special commemorative notecard set featuring the stamp’s image.

“The new wildlife stamp is a tremendous opportunity to help save wildlife around the world in a financially responsible way,” said John Calvelli, Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “The stamp is the culmination of a decades-long effort among conservation organizations, federal agencies and Congressional champions, making it a true collaborative victory for threatened wildlife. This gives every one of us the chance to make a difference by simply buying a stamp.”

The Save Vanishing Species stamps will contribute funding for projects supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF), which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve tigers, rhinos, great apes, marine turtles, African elephants and Asian elephants. The stamp was created through federal legislation which was signed into law in September 2010. Passage of the law was spearheaded by the Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund and was supported by the 33 organizations of the Multinational Species Coalition.

Today, only 3,200 tigers populate 42 source sites across thirteen countries in Asia that are now the last hope and greatest priority for the conservation and recovery of the world’s largest cat. Source sites contain the majority of the world’s remaining breeding females – approximately 1,000 individuals – and have the potential to seed the recovery of tigers across wider landscapes. Multinational Species Conservation Funds, soon to be supplemented by proceeds from the stamp, provide critical support to programs that protect these last remaining tiger habitats.

“This stamp marks the fourth semipostal issued by the Postal Service. These types of stamps provide an extremely convenient way for the American public to contribute to help protect threatened and vanishing species,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman. “We look forward to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Multinational Species Coalition to make this stamp a resounding success.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s MSCF program supports the conservation of many of the world’s most charismatic species. Despite the modest size of this program, its support is very broad‐based, including more than 20 million members of the Multinational Species Coalition. This program also stimulates public‐private partnerships and has leveraged more than three times as much in matching funds from conservation groups, corporations and other governments.

“The stamp provides a unique opportunity for the American public to work with the federal government to contribute to saving some of our most beloved threatened species,” said Herb Raffaele, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation. “A commitment to the stamp will demonstrate that Americans really care about wildlife conservation abroad.”

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/new-tiger-cub-stamps-aim-to-help-save-endangered-species-2031/

Indian tiger trail: The famous four

2011-09-18T02:23:00.002-04:00

Tiger at Bandhavgarh National Park (Image Courtesy: Syna Tiger Resort, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh)

IPSHITA MITRA Sep 16, 2011, 12.00am IST

"And when my eyes saw the big cat approaching stealthily from the dense bushes, the moment was ecstatic...amidst the dark of the night and twittering crickets, seated on the safari jeep, when our torch lights cast flashes on the striped skin of the royal animal and the tiger emerged in all its radiance...the sight was majestic..."

These are the emotions evoked on sighting the majestic big cat in its natural surroundings on a wildlife safari. Delhi-based adventure enthusiast and media professional, Dilasha Seth says "After all it is not everyday that you see a tiger prowling in your backyard...To watch a tiger on National Geographic and to feel its presence at a sniffing distance are two very different things. Hence that gasping moment of awe comes as a reflex response to the palpable experience."

Tiger spotting is nothing short of an adventure sport that calls for preparation, patience and positive outlook. Let us explore some of the popular national parks and wildlife destinations that can guarantee you a rendezvous with the Great Indian Tiger.

Bandhavgarh National Park : Located in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, the erstwhile hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, the dense Bandhavgarh is known to the world as the home of the big cats. With over 600 species of flowering plants, 50 species of aquatic and 18 species of rare plants, the real thrill of Bandhavgarh is in seeing the tigers roam the jungles freely.

Where to stay in Bandhavgarh: Luxurious safari cottages and tree houses make for a welcoming stay at the Syna Tiger Resort. With a blend of earthy folk artistry amid the dense wilderness, the resort serves as a sanctuary to safari-weary travellers. With experienced nature guides to show you around the forest over safari drives and elephant rides, the journey into the wild will surely be a magical one.

History has it that the species of white tigers, known as the 'elusive' White Tigers, where first sighted in Bandhavgarh. So if luck comes your way, spotting a white tiger while you are seated on an elephant back can make your day.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand:

A paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, Jim Corbett National Park (that turned 75 this year) is known to house a population of 200 plus tigers along a massive topographical area interspersed with hilly ridges and rolling grasslands.

Where to stay in Jim Corbett:

Dhikala Forest Lodge - Located at the heart of Corbett, Dhikala is the most preferred stopover for camping and night stay. Conducted tours by nature guides and private jeep safaris are comfortably available at Dhikala at reasonable package prices. Since the fabled grassland of Dhikala is situated at the intermediate zone from Delhi to Corbett, you almost wake up to a morning of deer calls and tiger roars.

Time to visit : The best time to visit Corbett is from October mid till late June when the forest zones remain open for visitors. Permits of wildlife safari should be obtained 30 days prior to the date of safari. The tour extends for about 4 hours beginning as early as six in the morning.

Sunderban National Park, West Bengal:

To drop Sunderbans out from the discussion on tiger trails in India would be sacrilege for this is the kingdom of the Royal Bengal Tiger (one of the ferocious breeds of the carnivore). The charm of Sunderban lies in navigating through the remote reaches of the dense mangrove forest that characterises the world's largest Delta. What sets this vast tract of impenetrable forest situated along the Bay of Bengal apart is the mode of transport used to reach the habitat of the tiger.

Sunderban Tiger Camp : Amidst a sprawling 15 bighas of forestland, the 2 hour motorboat ride from the camp calls for a culture-rich journey with local villagers performing to traditional songs and dances. Recalls, Srishty Chaudhary, an avid traveller, "The boat ride is the highpoint of Sunderbans. It prepared you for your meeting with the Bengal Tiger."

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan :

Surrounded by the Avaralli and Vindhyachal ranges, the landscape of Ranthambore serves as one of the oft-frequented zones of tigers in India. The size of the park and its environment are two primary elements that determine the population and subsequent chances of spotting tigers. The territorial expanse, deciduous forests, rocky plains, lakes and rivers of Ranthambore confirm a suitable ecological climate for tigers to thrive in. Add to this the comforts of Mughal-inspired tents located on the outskirts of the park for a comfortable overnight stay.

Khem Villas, Jungle camp : Equipped with standalone cottages, tents on wooden platform and rooms, a stay at Khem Villas will add a rustic charm to your safari experience. Night-time campfires, jungle and nature walks are some of the pastimes that you can indulge in.

Aman-i-Khas is another exotic resort that provides unhindered access to the wildlife of Ranthambore Park while giving you an opportunity to discover the historical forts and rural villages that create this picturesque sanctuary.

When to go : Safaris run throughout the day for a span of 2 hours beginning 7 in the morning and again from 2pm in the afternoon. The period from March to June is the best for tiger spotting for this is the time when the animal comes out in search of water. Monsoon should be avoided as the undergrowth is dense denying visibility.

So pack your bags and get ready for a rendezvous with the big cat.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-16/travel/30153991_1_white-tigers-jim-corbett-national-park-big-cat

Tiger tale comes to an end

2011-09-18T01:19:00.002-04:00

Marie Camilleri (Glover), shown here with her then five-year-old tiger Bonnie, had some sad news to report this week. Bonnie, who briefly lived in South Freetown with her brother Clyde, passed away Tuesday at the Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Nova Scotia

Note: Tiger News is committed to informing the public about the endangered state of wild tigers as well as the situations tigers face in captivity by posting news about tigers from all over the world. While TN does not always support the views expressed in the articles posted, it is important to bring readers a broad range of stories relevant to both wild and captive tigers.

Published on September 16, 2011

SOUTH FREETOWN - The story of two of the most famous cats to ever inhabit P.E.I. sadly came to an end earlier this week.

Bonnie, a 21-year-old Siberian tiger, died Tuesday at the Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Aylesford, N.S., after a battle with cancer.

Marie Camilleri (Glover) of South Freetown, who owned Bonnie and her appropriately named brother Clyde, reported the news with a heavy heart.

"This weekend that passed, I was really feeling her, so I knew something must be going on," said Camilleri through tears.

"We had them since they were babies, and even though I wasn't with them all the time, you still feel for them."

Marie and her then husband brought Bonnie and Clyde to the Island from Ontario in 1994, and the two huge exotic cats became an immediate attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to the farm.

Despite their wild appearance, the tigers were anything but ferocious toward people. Marie would often go inside the cage to hug and kiss her two cats, while Bonnie and Clyde would act affectionately toward their visitors.

Only two weeks into their stay in South Freetown, however, the government of the day ordered the tigers out of the province. The Glovers didn't have permits for their exotic pets.

Despite protests and petitions from local residents, the animals were taken to Oaklawn Farm in May of 1994.

"Because we weren't from here, we didn't know all the little things to make it happen," said Camilleri. "But the support we had was unbelievable, for people not knowing us."

Marie said the zoo's staff gave Bonnie and Clyde exceptional care since the day they arrived.

Clyde passed away peacefully in 2004 at the age of 13.

Even though both animals are now gone, Camilleri said she still plans to visit the zoo as often as she can. Bonnie will be buried on the grounds.

"I was lucky to see her twice this year," she said. "I was inside with her...and she knew who I was, so it was emotional just in that."

As for those who supported her and the tigers during their brief stay on the Island, Camilleri expressed her gratitude.

"I want to thank everyone for all their support when we tried to keep them on the Island," she said. "I wanted them to know the story of Bonnie and Clyde has ended, and let them know that I was thinking of them as much as they tried to help us."

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2011-09-16/article-2751617/Tiger-tale-comes-to-an-end-/1

Sullivan: Free Tony the Tiger

2011-09-18T00:47:00.001-04:00

By Diane Sullivan, Holly Vietzke, and Rose Church/Guest columnists
Posted Sep 15, 2011 @ 01:57 PM
Last update Sep 15, 2011 @ 03:08 PM

Parents in Massachusetts bring their children to the zoo to see tigers. Parents in Maine need only bring them to their neighbor's house, where it is legal to keep a tiger as a pet. In fact, the Bangor city code prohibits a resident from having more than three dogs as pets, but a tiger - or any wild animal -is perfectly fine.

States regulate the keeping of tigers within state lines, and the laws vary state to state. Today, 21 states allow private citizens to acquire or keep a tiger as a pet with as little a requirement as a license or permit (and some do not even require that). In fact, more tigers live within the United States than in the rest of the world, although the total number is speculation since there are no tracking or monitoring regulations in place. The state of Texas alone has more tigers (more than 2,000) than all of India (1,700).

One reason for the preponderance of tiger-owners is the increasing number of cub-petting displays in malls which, under practices established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is legal when a tiger is 8- to 12-weeks old. Aside from the cruelty and abuse this represents for the tigers, exhibitors line their pockets as they send the wrong message that these cute, wild animals can be kept as pets.

The private keeping of wild, exotic animals as domestic pets generally leads to the animal being kept in horrible, deplorable conditions, risking harm to both the tiger and the public. In fact, thousands of tigers are living in abysmal conditions in cages, often owned by people who buy them on a whim.

And what happens to these cubs - which were bred for this sole, profitable purpose - after 12 weeks? More than likely, the cub ends up spending its life in a small concrete cage or is sold for its "parts." It may even end up in your local butcher shop - hardly a fair fate for such a noble beast.

In 2003, upon tips from tenants, police discovered and removed a Bengal tiger living in an apartment in Harlem. Although owning tigers is illegal in New York, police suspect that the tiger was purchased legally elsewhere as a cub and brought to the city. This is precisely why a federal ban is necessary. Yet the federal government has actually made it easier to own a tiger when, in 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lifted the licensing requirement for "generic" (non-purebred) tigers.

Buying Tony the Tiger is not just for breakfast anymore.

Progress is indeed being made in this arena. A little over a month ago, a judge in East Baton Rouge (La.) District Court ruled that Tiger Truck Stop, owned by Michael Sandlin, has seen its last permit to keep Tony, a 550-pound Siberian-Bengal tiger, on display.

The national, nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund, which spearheaded the effort to free Tony, reported that although the court did not revoke the current permit, it did issue a permanent injunction preventing the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from renewing the permit again come December. Without question, the "unhealthy and unnatural environment of a truck stop" is not a suitable habitat for a tiger or any animal.

As a result, Tony, who has lived at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La., for the past decade, will finally be headed for a new home.

In addition, Massachusetts School of Law (MSL), which boasts one of the oldest and premier animal rights programs of any law school in the country, is taking a lead role in helping these noble animals. Following is just a partial list of our efforts:

- On July 25, 2011, Rose Church, an MSL alumna, spearheaded conference at the International Fund for Animal Welfare Office in Washington, D.C., which we attended along with other experts and major animal advocacy groups. The purpose was to discuss the current captive tiger problem, determine solutions, and draft appropriate legislation. Attendees for the meeting included The World Wildlife Fund; Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Born Free USA; Wild Cat Conservation Legal Aid Society; Animal Legal Defense Fund; U.S. Humane Society; the Ian Somerhalder Foundation; World Council for Animal Rights, Inc.; and Big Cat Rescue.

- We have been in contact with the office of U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) to see if he will sponsor a bill addressing the problem.

- Attorney Christopher A. Leverone, an MSL alumnus and associate at the Law Offices of Bruce A. Bierhans, LLC, has been working on gaining political support for this initiative within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

- We will be meeting on a weekly basis with current MSL students, who will be conducting legal research on current bills, drafting legislation, and fact gathering.

- We are also working to schedule a meeting with the USDA to get agreement on banning the practice of allowing the 8- to 12-week petting loophole, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstitute the permit requirement for cross-bred tigers.

No private citizen should need a captive tiger as a backyard pet; there is no justifiable reason for doing so. Tigers should live in the wild or in well-maintained, accredited sanctuaries, not kept in unlit trailers (during the exhibitions) or cages that are too small for them to do anything but turn around.

The breeding, sale, and trade of tigers need to be banned completely, beginning with the 8- to 12-week petting loophole, which serves no purpose other than to make money for those who cruelly mistreat the cubs.

For our government to endorse this is ignorant, deplorable, and shameful.

Diane Sullivan is an assistant dean and professor at the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, and also serves as director of the school's Animal Rights Program. Reach her at dianes@mslaw.edu Holly Vietzke is an assistant professor at the school and is co-director of the Animal Rights program. Reach her at holly@mslaw.edu Rose Church is a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Law and CEO of World Council For Animal Rights, Inc. Reach her at rchurch@wcfar.org

http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/x227170239/Sullivan-Free-Tony-the-Tiger

Tiger Haven files $2.5 million countersuit, alleges neighbors launched illegal harassment

2011-09-18T00:05:00.000-04:00

By Bob Fowler
Knoxville News Sentinel
Posted September 16, 2011 at 4 a.m.

KINGSTON — The attorney for a big cat sanctuary that is the subject of a $10 million lawsuit by neighbors has filed a countersuit alleging those neighbors and others are on an "unlawful and deliberate campaign" to harass a lawful enterprise.

Dandridge attorney Doug Drinnon, who represents Tiger Haven Inc., filed the counterclaim this week in Roane County Circuit Court.

Drinnon also filed an application for a change of venue that contends the sanctuary and its representatives can't get a fair trial in Roane County.

Drinnon asks in the alternative that jurors be imported from another county "to ensure a fair and impartial trial."

There's too much bias and prejudice against Tiger Haven, the application contends, and there's been extensive media coverage "of the unfounded and inaccurate claims of Roane County residents and public officials."

Tiger Haven is on 50 acres in rural eastern Roane County, and the nonprofit is now home to more than 250 lions, tigers and other big cats deemed neglected, abandoned or abused.

In June, several residents living near the Harvey Road sanctuary filed the $10 million complaint alleging among other things that Tiger Haven has "destroyed the quiet enjoyment" of their properties and that big cat waste runoff has contaminated adjoining land.

The complaint seeks to shut the sanctuary down or at least prevent operators from acquiring any more big cats.

Tiger Haven's use of its land is "lawful and expressly permitted," Drinnon states in the counterclaim, which seeks $2 million in punitive damages and $500,000 in compensatory damages.

Since 1996, neighbors have filed false or misleading complaints with state and local agencies, made false and inflammatory statements at public meetings, and sparked unwarranted inspections of the sanctuary, according to the counterclaim.

The legal action also contends the neighbors have "initiated, pursued and promoted a media campaign" against Tiger Haven.

Those efforts were aimed at harassing and humiliating Tiger Haven as well as inflicting "severe financial hardship" and ultimately shuttering the sanctuary, according to the counterclaim.

The application for a change of venue contends that since 1992, Tiger Haven has been targeted by numerous Roane County officials and residents "in efforts to extinguish their lawful existence as a sanctuary ...''

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/sep/16/tiger-haven-files-25-million-countersuit-alleges/

Sumatran tiger cub's death at L.A. Zoo still a mystery

2011-09-15T00:28:00.002-04:00

Photo: Two of three Sumatran tiger cubs born last month at the L.A. Zoo are shown in an Aug. 26 photo. One of the three cubs was found dead Monday. Credit: Los Angeles Zoo

September 14, 2011 8:26 am

A baby tiger found dead at the Los Angeles Zoo apparently died of head trauma, but officials are not sure exactly what happened.

The animal was one of three male Sumatran tiger cubs born Aug. 6.

Zoo officials said a necropsy performed on the cub after it was found dead Monday indicated that it had sustained head trauma. Officials are still trying to figure out how the cub sustained the wound, the zoo said.

Because tiger cubs depend on their mothers for the first year, the zoo said each birth in captivity "is significant and not without risk."

The cub's mother, Lulu, will continue to raise the two other cubs, according to the zoo. The tiger successfully raised litters in 2005 and 2007.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/head-trauma-that-killed-tiger-cub-at-la-zoo-a-mystery.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+%28L.A.+Now%29

Tiger cubs step into spotlight at Syracuse's Rosamond Gifford zoo

2011-09-12T03:15:00.004-04:00

Syracuse, NY -- The Amur tiger triplets born May 7 at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse made their first public appearance this morning, although a bit reluctantly at first.

Misha and her brothers Kuza and Yuri were introduced by Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.

Kuza emerged first through the gate leading to the viewing area of the tigers exhibit. He sat on the threshold, then turned around and slithered back to his mother and siblings. He came back out for a dead mouse, but retreated again.

Misha then came out, took a look around, then ducked back.

It was their mother, Tatiana, who broke the ice. She came out and walked to the far side of the exhibit. The triplets emerged. Tatiana came back for them and they followed her back to the far side. Soon they were running and jumping in the grass.

Zoo Director Ted Fox said the 3-month old tiger cubs are still nursing, but switching more and more to meat eating.

The cubs can also be seen on the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's tiger cub web cam

More pictures:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/tiger_cubs_step_into_spotlight.html

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/tiger_cubs_step_into_spotlight.html

Animal-rescue experts help Tripoli Zoo

2011-09-12T02:06:00.002-04:00

Veterinarians from Austria's Four Paws International try to save Osama, a Siberian tiger at the Tripoli Zoo

From Jill Dougherty, CNN Foreign Affairs Correspondent
September 12, 2011 -- Updated 0133 GMT (0933 HKT)

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- In a city slashed by war, a tiger fights for life.

Osama, a Siberian tiger at the Tripoli Zoo, has been suffering for days. He is on his side, breathing shallowly, his huge paws motionless -- caramel, black-and-white-striped fur covered with flies that he is too weak to brush off.

A team of animal-welfare experts from Austria's Four Paws International gently rolls the tiger over and Dr. Amir Khalil, dripping sweat, searches for a vein, then puts in an IV drip to give the animal vitamins.

Asked why the tiger is so sick, the veterinarian replies, "Honestly, we don't know but I believe he's old, 21 years. That's number one. Number two, it was a lot of stress in the surroundings here."

During the struggle for Tripoli, gunfire raged just outside the zoo. When the fighting was at its height some Libyans packed up their cars and fled. The animals at the Tripoli Zoo didn't have that option. The deafening sounds of shooting, the acrid smell of battle -- there was no respite for these sensitive creatures.

Shells still litter the zoo grounds. As the zoo's director, Dr. Abdulfatah Husni, leads a CNN crew to the mammal house, he points out bullet casings on the sidewalk. "This is for Kalashnikov. You know Kalashnikov?" he asks, referring to automatic rifles.

In the mammal house, the roof is marred by a a gaping hole blasted by a rocket propelled grenade. Luckily, no animal died or was injured.

For two weeks there was no water in much of Tripoli. For the hippos at the zoo, it was a disaster.

The huge, stolid animals stand forlornly by their almost-empty pool, now slowly being filled with water from a large hose. Husni says that during the worst of it, the animals had to drink whatever water remained but they could not swim, as they usually do. The staff had to sprinkle them with what water remained to keep their tough skins moist.

"They're shiny now," he says.

Even as fighters shot it out on the streets near the zoo, 15 members of the staff came in every day to feed and water the animals, risking their own lives; if they hadn't, many of the animals would have died within three to four days, Husni says.

In the tiger house, meanwhile, the animal rescue team still struggles to save Osama the tiger. Dr. Khalil rushed here from Vienna to help after seeing CNN reports about the fate of these animals. He grows more quiet as his efforts seem to have little effect.

"He's finished," he finally whispers, acknowledging that the tiger has died. "It was too late."

The Tripoli Zoo, originally opened in 1986, was under major reconstruction when the revolution broke out. Without the fighting, it was scheduled to be completed in May. But the South Korean construction company working on the project pulled out because of security concerns, Husni says.

He hopes the project will continue and says the new anti-Gadhafi transitional leaders pledge to give the zoo support.

There will be exchanges with zoos around the world, he says, something that stopped during the Gadhafi regime. He will be able to attend conferences around the world, to learn new techniques of protecting animals in captivity. And, he predicts, the zoo will welcome new animals unscarred by war.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/09/11/libya.tripoli.zoo/

Bengkulu farmer killed in tiger attack

2011-09-11T22:41:00.000-04:00

The Jakarta Post Mon, 09/12/2011 8:00 AM

Jakarta: The body of Milyan, an 18 year-old resident of Pino Baru village in South Bengkulu Regent, Bengkulu, was found dead after apparently being mauled by a tiger, his family reported.

“He was attacked when he was alone in the coffee plantation,” Milyan’s aunt Surainah said Sunday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

She said that other farmers had found Milyan’s body on Thursday night near his farm.

As a result of the incident, many local farmers decided to remain in their villages until the tiger was captured by the Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

The agency said that they would set traps to capture the tiger after receiving permission from the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and Forest Protection.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/09/12/bengkulu-farmer-killed-tiger-attack.html

With 200 tigers, Corbett turns a proud 75

2011-09-11T21:57:00.002-04:00

A majestic Royal Bengal Tiger in the Corbett National Park, which completes 75 years this year.

IANS Sep 11, 2011, 01.48PM IST

One of the nurseries of India's tiger conservation movement and Asia's first endeavour to have a national park, the Corbett National Park turns 75 this year, marking a string of successes despite a few incidents of man-animal conflict.

Some 200-plus tigers, or almost one in every eight of the big cats surviving in India, live in Corbett landscape, which is almost 2,000 square kilometres of grasslands and Sal forest covering the reserve and adjoining jungles in Uttarakhand's Shivalik foothills.

The tigers are not the only attractions; the resort hosts a wide gamut of animals, including leopards, elephants, sloth bears and various deer species including spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, hog deer, and barking deer.

The reptiles include the Indian marsh crocodile, gharials (alligators), the king cobra, common krait, cobra, Russels viper, python and monitor lizards, while more than 600 species and subspecies of birds are found.

Founded in 1936, the preserve was named after famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett, who was also one of its founding members.

To mark its platinum anniversary, the management has planned a range of activities which will continue till December. A series of activities have already been held, while many more are on the anvil.

"We are planning to release reports on conservation, and an archival film on Corbett tigers is also being made," park warden U.C. Tiwari said in an interview.

"Our Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has also announced plans to invite Indian cricket captain (and the park's honorary warden) M.S. Dhoni in November," said Tiwari, adding special safaris for school students is also being organised.

Considered one of the best-managed parks in India, the park has withstood many challenges: from the onslaught of poaching to changes in the ecosystem and now man-animal conflict.

The Corbett Park was brought under Project Tiger when this flagship programme to save the big cats was launched by India in 1973. The Corbett Tiger Reserve today spreads over 1,280 sq km, also covering the 520 sq km Corbett Park.

However, with the expansion of the reserve over time, giving wild animals more roaming space has led to an increase in man-animal conflict in recent years since it brought them closer to human settlements.

Last year at least six people were mauled to death by tigers in the Sunderkhal area, adjoining the reserve, which is an important corridor that helps wild animals to move between the reserve and the adjoining forests.

Over 400 families live in this corridor. The government has been mulling to shift them to safer places but nothing concrete has been decided yet.

In addition, developmental activities too have taken a toll and threatened to damage the park's sensitive ecosystem.

"There has been a spurt of tourism activities, which is a big challenge. We need to have some regulatory measures to tackle it," says C.K. Kavidayal, deputy director of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

"Besides this, there is always a threat of poaching with the increasing number of tigers. We track all these factors, and the credit goes to our staff," he said.

"People who venture into the forest for fodder and fuel wood become vulnerable to predator attacks, now more so when the tiger numbers have increased. But incidents like last year's have never happened around Corbett before," Kavidayal said.

"There are two major corridors connecting the reserve with the adjoining forests. Our task is to recover them so that wild animals could move between these forests," Tiwari said.

One of the corridors connects the reserve with the Ramnagar forest division and the other connects the Rajaji National Park, also in Uttarakhand, through the Lansdowne forest division.

These corridors are vital for the survival of wild animals that roam these forests in search of food.

According to the latest tiger census report released by the government in March, Indian tigers in the wild are around 1,500. A similar report in 2008 showed India had about 1,400 tigers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/With-200-tigers-Corbett-turns-a-proud-75/articleshow/9944144.cms

Texas zoo: Tiger's killing of mate surprising

2011-09-10T14:09:00.002-04:00

In this July 28, 2011 photo provided by the El Paso Zoo, Wzui, a male Malayan Tiger, reclines at the El Paso Zoo in El Paso, Texas. Wzui was killed by his mate at the zoo on Thursday. Malayan tigers are an endangered species. (AP Photo/El Paso Zoo, Adrian Cisneros)

By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA September 9, 2011

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The killing of a rare Malayan tiger by his mate caught handlers at the El Paso Zoo completely by surprise because there were no warning signs and the pair were seen playing together only hours earlier, the zoo director said Friday.

Seri, the 3-year-old female who was sent to El Paso from the San Diego Zoo about 15 months ago, seemed to have bonded with 6-year-old Wzui during the two-and-a-half months they were together, said Steve Marshal, the director of the El Paso Zoo. The tigers had tried mating, and hours before Thursday's attack were seen frolicking and "being affectionate," he said.

"We did not see any indication this was coming. It took us completely by surprise, the staff is shocked," Marshal said.

A zoo visitor witnessed the attack, but Marshal declined to publicly identify the witness. He said Seri killed Wzui by chomping down on the side of his neck and choking him.

"We arrived too late," Marshall added.

Tara Harris, the conservation director at the Minnesota Zoo, said attacks such as Thursday's almost never happen.

"Tigers do fight with one another, that's not rare. But it is very rare that one would kill another, specially a female killing a male. It is an anomaly," Harris said Friday by phone.

Wzui, who was born at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, and arrived in El Paso nine months ago from the Tulsa Zoo, in Oklahoma, will be cremated after a necropsy is performed. Seri will be examined for injuries before being returned to her display area, which will likely be in about two days, Marshal said.

Malayan tigers are rare — Wzui's death left just 57 in North America — and zoo officials said they have been told that the Tiger Special Species Survival Plan, which assigns the tigers to zoos for mating, has made finding a new suitable mate for Seri a priority. The program pairs the animals in a way that best keeps their species' limited gene pool stable.

"That is our mission ... her genetic material is extremely important," Marshall said. He said it doesn't appear Seri is pregnant.

When Wzui arrived at the zoo the keepers started a slow process of introduction for both animals. "It went great. It didn't take very long for them to like each other," said Marshall.

He said the zoo will revise its protocols for the introduction and cohabitation of tigers. Some zoos keep the tigers together all the time, while others only pair them during mating season. Seri and Wzui were living together in the same area. Marshal said there are pros and cons to each approach. He said the zoo hasn't decided which approach it will take once a new mate for Seri arrives.

There is a third tiger at the El Paso Zoo, a 15-year-old female named Melor or "Meli" as the keepers affectionately call her. When Wzui arrived at the zoo it was clear they liked each other even though they were not in the same area they could see and smell each other. "He started chuffing," Marshall said referring to a specific sound male tigers make when they like a female. However, Melor is past her reproductive age.

He was then introduced to Seri, a female just about to reach sexual maturity and liked her as well. "It was the females that did not like each other," Marshal added.

The Malayan tiger was classified as a subspecies with the help of DNA analysis in 2004. It is an endangered subspecies and it is believed that only about 500 of them remain in the wild in the Malayan Peninsula

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gGW4qg03Ui7WMdIwRHrRMXprYYMA?docId=a30974f967a445719915193e0c463aea

Tiger owner to get hearing

2011-08-31T14:15:00.001-04:00

Joe Gyan Jr.
Advocate staff writer

An appeals court on Monday threw out a Baton Rouge judge’s May ruling that barred state officials from issuing any new permits to an Iberville Parish truck stop to keep a 550-pound tiger on display.

A three-judge panel of the state’s 1st Circuit Court of Appeal sent the matter back to state District Judge Mike Caldwell for another hearing.

The panel said Tiger Truck Stop Inc. in Grosse Tete and its owner, Michael Sandlin, deserve to be heard.

Caldwell’s ruling in May came after the Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to have Tony, a Siberian-Bengal mix, removed from the Interstate 10 truck stop.

Only attorneys for the animal rights group and the state agency took part in the first hearing.

Caldwell later denied Sandlin’s and Tiger Truck Stop’s request for a new trial.

First Circuit Judges Edward “Jimmy’’ Gaidry, Michael McDonald and Jeff Hughes said Sandlin and the truck stop “were parties needed for just adjudication in this case.’’

The appellate court reversed Caldwell’s denial of the new trial request, vacated his May ruling in favor of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and sent the matter back to him “for further proceedings.’’

“We’re very pleased. This will give us a chance to correct the situation,’’ said Steve LeBlanc, an attorney for Sandlin and his truck stop, on Monday.

Animal Legal Defense Fund attorney Matthew Liebman called the 1st Circuit ruling “a minor setback.’’

“We are confident that the trial court got the law right the first time around and will rule the same way when we go through it again with Mr. Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop as parties,’’ he said.

LeBlanc also expressed confidence, saying, “We’re in compliance with their (Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) rules and regulations.’’

Caldwell had agreed with the animal rights group that a permit can only be issued to an individual, not a corporation, and the individual must live on the premises.

Tiger Truck Stop is the permit holder, not Sandlin, the judge said.

The last annual permit that the state agency issued to Tiger Truck Stop was in December.

Caldwell has said Tony has been on display at the truck stop since 2001.

The animal rights group cited a 2006 Louisiana law that prohibits the private ownership of large and exotic cats.

The law includes a grandfather exception that allows people to keep exotic cats as pets as long as the animals were legally owned before Aug. 15, 2006, when the law took effect.

The animal rights group claims the tiger was not legally owned by the truck stop before that date because a 1993 Iberville Parish ordinance prohibits anyone from owning “wild, exotic or vicious animals for display or for exhibition.’’

http://theadvocate.com/home/714809-79/tiger-owner-to-get-hearing.html

Here is the response from The Animal Legal Defense Fund concerning this decision (re: Appeals court overturns Tiger Truck Stop decision 8.29.2011)

“This morning, the Louisiana Court of Appeals ruled that Michael Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop are necessary parties to the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s lawsuit to free Tony the Tiger and ordered a new trial in the case. In so ruling, the Court vacated the permanent injunction issued by the trial court that would have freed Tony in December. The decision means ALDF will need to amend its complaint to add the new defendants, then re-do the litigation thus far. While we disagree with the Court of Appeals’ ruling, this is just a minor set-back. We are confident that the trial court got the law right the first time around and will rule the same way when we go through it again with Mr. Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop as parties.” http://www.aldf.org/tony

Note: Please continue to support Tony and the Animal Legal Defense in their efforts to give Tony the home, care, and life he deserves. See this post: http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/tony-still-needs-us/

Tigers Like Tony Need Your Help Now!!!

2011-08-28T15:51:00.002-04:00

A circus tiger looks out of his transport cage after being loaded onto a truck. Photo by & © DM De Santis

Tony The Truck Stop Tiger represents one of the thousands of privately owned tigers in the United States whose numbers are greater than tigers left in the wild. Captive U.S. tigers languish in roadside zoos and attractions, are exploited and abused in circuses, photo ops and exhibitions, entertainment shows, pseudo-sanctuaries, bred for profit or are owned as "pets." Others end up in canned hunts or on the black market.

There is something you can do to help these tigers which in turn helps wild tigers as well.

The USFWS is seeking public comment - until Sept. 21 - regarding their proposal to close the loophole which allows private breeding and no registration of what they refer to as "generic tigers."

Please add your comment (preferably in your own words) at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FWS-R9-IA-2011-0027-0001 stating you support closing the exemption that currently allows unregistered, generic tigers, and that regulations must be strengthened so that captive breeding of tigers in the U.S. is strictly monitored and controlled. More information at: Good News! You Can End Tiger Farming in the U.S.

Watch this video from Big Cat Rescue of Tampa Florida and thanks to Big Cat Rescue of Tampa Florida, The Wildcat Sanctuary and WildCat Haven Sanctuary for networking this information and for their dedicated efforts to ending private ownership of tigers and big cats. Share this post and take action for these great cats who deserve our respect and protection.

Tips to boost tiger numbers ignored, says ecologist

2011-07-21T17:23:00.000-04:00

Panaji, July 19 (IANS) Key recommendations of a task force appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to boost tiger numbers have not been implemented, environmentalist Madhav Gadgil, a former member of the panel, said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a workshop in Panaji, Gadgil said the crucial recommendations made by the five-member task force, led by environmentalist Sunita Narain, were ignored by the central government.

"The task force made recommendations that the management of tiger reserves should be made much more participatory and people-friendly," said Gadgil.

"But the recommendations of the task force are not at all being implemented. I am not happy with the rigid regulatory approach of the forest department," said the Padma Bhushan awardee.

The tiger task force was set up by the prime minister in 2005, following the shocking revelations that tigers had disappeared from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

It was asked to recommend long-term actions to boost the numbers of tigers in the country and improve their natural habitat.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=108963

Five-year-old boy mauled by tiger cub in South Africa

2011-07-20T17:07:00.001-04:00

By Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg
4:21PM BST 19 Jul 2011

A five year-old boy is recovering in hospital after he was mauled by an apparently tame tiger cub at a holiday resort in South Africa.

Finlay Holden was stroking the six-month old Bengali tiger's back when it turned around and grabbed his head between its paws.

The little boy was only saved after other holidaymakers and resort staff throttled the growling animal and hit it over the head repeatedly with a walkie-talkie.

His mother, Claire Holden, told how Finlay had screamed hysterically "Mum, make it stop! Make it stop!" as they fought to save him.

"The whole thing was just awful," she said. "There were all these people pulling at the tiger and it wouldn't let go. All I could do was wrap my arms around Finlay and try to keep him calm."

She said that she, her daughter Hannah, three, and Finlay had gone to look at Reno and Paris, the resort's two tigers, on Saturday morning. Also on the lawn with the resort's handlers was a boa constrictor.

"I told Finlay he must be careful and not make any sudden movements because all animals remain a bit wild," she said.

The website of the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, which is situated in South Africa's northern Limpopo province, says that visits can touch and pose for photographs with the big cats.

"Even though they are cubs, you can come and witness their beauty, grace and can see the power of these incredible felines," it boasts.

In Finlay's case, the description was all too apt.

"The animal's mouth was wide open above his head," Mrs Holden said. "My child and I were covered in blood. My little daughter saw everything."

Finlay was left with deep cuts to his face, neck and throat and underwent surgery on Sunday. "He's doing remarkably well considering," Mrs Holden said. "We were lucky really – his jugular could easily have been torn or he could have been scalped."

She said the resort should now reconsider letting big cats play with children. "I don't blame the tiger and don't think it should be put down but they shouldn't be doing what they are doing and if they are going to continue, it needs to be with significantly smaller cubs."

Brenda Santon, Wildlife Manager for South Africa's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said it had repeatedly warned about the dangers of letting humans play with wild animals. "These poor animals belong in the wild and not in holiday resorts," she said.

Zebula Golf Estate and Spa has declined to comment.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8647790/Five-year-old-boy-mauled-by-tiger-cub-in-South-Africa.html

Tiger Poacher, Via Phone, is Witness for His Own Prosecution

2011-07-17T22:35:00.002-04:00

July 14, 2011, 4:41 pm
By ANDREW C. REVKIN

When a wildlife conservation patrol in Thailand’s Western Forest Province surprised some poachers, a pile of abandoned gear, particularly a cell phone, provided evidence of their crime:

The short slide show tells the story. In a statement, Joe Walston, who directs programs in Asia for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which is working with the Thai government on tiger conservation projects, noted that the push against poachers has come at a significant cost.

“The individuals apprehended by Thailand officials are suspected to have killed as many as 10 tigers in the region,” Walston said. “They are also involved in an organized crime ring that W.C.S. and other partners have been tracking in this region for the past year. However, such work comes with great risk to the park rangers working on the front lines of enforcement. One officer was shot in a nearby community on Friday in what is believed to be retaliation for the recent poaching arrests. The ranger remains in serious condition in the hospital. Nevertheless, the arrests are a great victory for the government of Thailand.”

I agree that Thailand should be credited for its multi-pronged crackdown on the trade in tigers and tiger parts. It was particularly heartening last year when a security officer screening baggage in the Bangkok airport disrupted a smuggling effort by noticing a live tiger cub in a bag filled with stuffed tiger toys. Here’s the image of that intercepted cub:

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/tiger-poacher-via-phone-is-witness-for-his-own-prosecution/

Tiger poachers caught on camera — their own

2011-07-17T22:11:00.003-04:00

This tiger, its image captured by a hidden camera in 2010, was identified as one killed by poachers recently in Thailand.

This image was among those retrieved from a cell phone camera left behind by tiger poachers in Thailand.

Two suspects arrested in Thailand after park rangers recovered images on cell phone

msnbc.com Updated 7/14/2011 1:14:17 PM ET 2011-07-14T17:14:17

Two men suspected of killing endangered tigers in Thailand have been arrested, a U.S. conservation group said Thursday, and the key evidence turned out to be cell phone images of them with their prizes.

A phone with the images was seized after a gun battle between Thai park rangers and suspected poachers in a protected area, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement.

"The rangers also found other evidence of poaching, including animal body parts and insecticides that are sometimes used to poison tigers," the group stated.

The images led to three men, one of whom escaped and two who were arrested. The group is thought to have killed up to 10 tigers in the region — a significant number given that only 2,500 breeding adult tigers are left in the wild globally.

"When confronted with 'trophy' images of themselves posing over a dead tiger, the suspects claimed the big cat was poached in Myanmar in 2003," WCS said. "According to WCS Thailand staff, however, the tiger (identified by its unique stripe patterns) was a well-known male tiger that researchers had tracked with camera traps in Thailand for at least three years between 2008-2011."

The society said it believes the men are part of "an organized crime ring that WCS and other partners have been tracking in this region for the past year."

The cell phone also contained images of elephant tusks, suggesting the men had illegally hunted elephants as well.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, based in New York, has helped Thailand and other governments with funding and training for beefed up patrols to protect wildlife.

"Such work comes with great risk to the park rangers working on the frontlines of enforcement," WCS noted. "One officer was shot in a nearby community on Friday in what is believed to be retaliation for the recent poaching arrests. The ranger remains in serious condition in the hospital."

Tigers have lost ninety percent of their historic range — which spread across Asia from Turkey to eastern Russia — according to TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring group funded by the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Tigers are poached mainly for their pelts and bones, which are used in traditional Asian medicines.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43756746/ns/world_news-world_environment/

'Propose Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as tiger reserve'

2011-07-17T21:49:00.000-04:00

TNN Jul 17, 2011, 12.40am IST

PANAJI: The state government should heed the central government's advice and propose that the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary be declared a tiger reserve after a proper study, the Pilerne citizens' forum (PCF) said on Saturday.

The demand has been made in a representation to governor S S Sidhu, chief minister Digambar Kamat and Union minister of state for forests and environment Jayanti Natarajan.

The representation has been signed by PCF secretary Aaron Paul Fernandes.

The PCF also slammed health minister Vishwajit Rane for his comments to a local television channel allegedly objecting to the proposed declaration of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve.

The PCF explained that the central government has advised Goa to propose the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve because of evidence of the presence of tigers there not merely as transit animals but as residents. The centre has urged Goa to seriously consider the proposal as Mhadei, situated in Sattari taluka, is a 'contiguous tiger landscape' to Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka to its southeast and to Anshi Dandeli tiger reserve to its south which has around 35 tigers.

PCF spokesperson Yatish Naik told the media that the forum and the people of Goa were shocked that even before the proposal of the Union ministry of forests and environment and even before the proposal was made public, a cabinet minister had opposed the proposal.

The representation read, "Declaration of Mhadei sanctuary as a tiger reserve should undoubtedly be made only after studying all aspects related thereto and most importantly considering the fast dwindling numbers of our national animal."

The PCF said "it is a matter of great concern" that the health minister has "shot down the proposal even before his own government has studied the same".

The PCF has called upon the chief minister to instruct his ministers not to indulge in making "non-meritorious and detrimental statements in a premature fashion without studying the concerned subject".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Propose-Mhadei-wildlife-sanctuary-as-tiger-reserve/articleshow/9251669.cms

Owner of Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester, Iowa attacked by tiger during feeding time

2011-07-17T21:17:00.001-04:00

From correspondents in Manchester, Iowa From: AP July 18, 2011 9:04AM

The owner of a small US zoo has been taken to hospital with injuries from a tiger attack.

The Delaware County sheriff's office says 52-year-old Tom Sellner suffered lacerations to his head and torso during the Sunday morning attack (local time) at Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester, Iowa.

He was flown to an Iowa City hospital. His condition wasn't immediately available.

The sheriff's office says Mr Sellner was attacked while feeding an adult tiger.

The tiger was not put down after the attack.

The zoo's website says it has more than 300 birds and animals, including tigers, African lions and other exotic cats.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/owner-of-cricket-hollow-zoo-in-manchester-iowa-attacked-by-tiger-during-feeding-time/story-e6frf7jx-1226096590147

Rare white tiger gives birth to quintuplets

2011-07-04T02:43:00.003-04:00

Rare white tiger cubs were born at a zoo in northeast China on Friday. Credits: ITN screenshot

Brian Gillie, Strange News Examiner
July 3, 2011

TWN NOTE: Please see this excellent article written by Sharyn Beach White Tigers: Conserving a Lie

A snow tiger mother recently gave birth to quintuplets at a zoo in Northeast China on Friday, according to Xinhua.

The mother is recuperating after having such a large litter, the typical being 2 to 4cubs. The rare tiger mother gave birth to one male and four female cubs at the Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin, China,

According to ITN News, experts believe that only 30-40 of the rare Bengal tiger living in China. Reports also state that 200-300 white tigers are currently captive in China.

The cubs weighed in at 3.6 to just over 3 pounds and appear to be in good health.

The 10-year-old mother is tired but resting quite well and doing a good job of taking care of her large litter of newborn cubs.

http://www.examiner.com/strange-news-in-national/watch-rare-white-tiger-gives-birth-to-quintuplets

Easy, tiger! Incredible moment huge animal is released back into the wild after being rescued from a poacher's snare

2011-07-03T22:21:00.003-04:00

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:15 PM on 3rd July 2011

This is the incredible moment an angry and fearsome tiger makes a bid for freedom - after being rescued from a poacher's snare.

The hulking beast, named Victor, was nursed back to health by experts for a week after being caught in a brutal snare set by ruthless hunters.

The nine-year-old Amur tiger, who was spotted by students in a remote Russian forest who heard him roaring in pain after being trapped in a cable snare.

The bleeding beast, who would have been worth up to $10,000 on the black market for its bones and skin alone, was finally released to safety in the frozen wastes of eastern Russia after being treated for cuts to his skin.

Roaring to go: Victor lets out a growl as he is finally released back into the wild

Freedom: The Amur tiger bursts from his cage and leaps through the snow

The dramatic moment where he burst out of his cage was caught on camera for BBC Wildlife Magazine and shows the powerful animal leaping through the snow to freedom as the team of conservationists stood well back.

One of them John Goodrich, 45, who has spent 16 years working with the tigers in Russia, said: 'We chose a place with enough open space so that we could sit in our vehicles and watch as Victor left his cage to freedom.

'We had cameras ready as my colleague raised the door to the cage.

'Victor glared at us and roared, making a great cloud of steam in the cold air. But he stayed put.

'Then, letting out another roar, he turned toward us again and burst out of the cage. He hit the snow and, with one great leap, disappeared into the forest.

'The power and speed with which he leapt from the truck and disappeared into the forest was awesome and would have been terrifying had I not been sitting in the safety of my vehicle.'
When Victor was found, the kindhearted students drove 50 miles to the nearest telephone to raise the alarm, and alerted the Inspection Tiger Department to their find.

The organisation then contacted the Wildlife Conservation Society, which sent a specialist to anaesthetise the stricken tiger and transport it to safety.

He was examined by experts, who found him to be 'unusually fat and healthy', weighing 385 pounds, and stretching an incredible 10 feet long.

They kept him under observation for days, ensuring there were no internal injuries, before fitting him with a radio collar and driving him eight hours back into the wilderness.

John said: 'Watching him burst from his steel cage to freedom was incredibly satisfying; there was no doubt in our minds that we had made a difference.

'His beauty and power as he leaped from the cage into the forest was stunning and something I will never forget.

'This story is immensely encouraging.

'For the one or two poachers who set the snare to catch a tiger, there were several dedicated people willing, ready, and able to get the tiger out of the snare, against all odds.'

For more information about tiger conservation, see http://www.wcs.org/ .

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2010761/Tiger-races-wild-rescued-poachers-snare.html

Slot for N-E in tiger body

2011-07-03T21:51:00.000-04:00

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Guwahati, July 3: The Northeast has finally got a voice in the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the apex body of tiger conservation in the country.

Firoz Ahmed, a wildlife biologist with Aaranyak who has carried out camera trapping in wildlife parks of Assam, has been inducted as a member of the NTCA.

Ahmed’s term is for one year and it will end in September next year. The notification for his appointment was issued in the last week of June.

“I will try to highlight the issues of the Northeast in the tiger conservation policies of the Centre,” he told The Telegraph today.

Ahmed was the team leader of the Kaziranga camera trapping exercise, which put the park on top of the world after it was found that the park had a tiger density of 32 per 100 sq km. Ahmed said though tiger reserves in the region have resources, rigorous planning was required at the management level to use the resources to their best.

He is also developing individual profile of tigers in Kaziranga, Orang, Manas and Nameri under the Tiger Informatics through Geospatial and Ecological Research (TIGER) project.

“This will assist the managers and other stakeholders with updated information on tigers of the region and create awareness among the masses,” Ahmed said.

He had recently carried out an appraisal of Dampa tiger reserve in Mizoram, one of the important landscapes in the Indo-Bangladesh border with contiguous forests in both the countries.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110704/jsp/northeast/story_14192136.jsp

Sariska to get 3 more tigresses

2011-06-27T02:08:00.000-04:00

ALWAR: The Sariska tiger reserve will soon host atleast three more tigeress from Ranthambore. Currently, the reserve has two tigers and three tigeress.

This was stated by Union forest minister Jairam Ramesh during his visit to the reserve. The minister spotted a tiger at the reserve for the first time in his life. "I have been visiting reserves in the country since 1984 but this is for the first time that I have spotted a tiger," the minister said.

Sources revealed that the minister spotted the tiger ST-6. This is the same tiger that had attacked ranger Daulat Singh Shaktawat and had fled to Bharatpur from where it was eventually brought to Sariska.

"In the next two or three months, we will be shifting three more females from Ranthambore," he said. However, Ramesh made it clear that the next male to set foot in the reserve would be from Madhya Pradesh. The minister was worried as no cubs were being born in Sariska for the past four years since the first tiger was relocated.

"It is just not Sariska but there are 13 tigresses out of a total 20 females in Ranthambore which, too, have not littered since the past five to six years. We are worried and have sent scat samples of these tigresses and from some in Sariska to Hyderabad for a hormonal test," he said. .

The ministry has recently sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the purchase of ten 35-seater buses for ferrying passengers from the gates of the sanctuary to Pandupole. A research centre, Kailash Sankhla research centre, would also be set up. The Centre will give various information on wildlife and will serve as a museum too.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Sariska-to-get-3-more-tigresses/articleshow/9006923.cms

Kawal in Adilabad to be new tiger reserve

2011-06-27T01:40:00.001-04:00

Vijay PinjarkarVijay Pinjarkar, TNN Jun 27, 2011, 12.52am IST

NAGPUR: The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has in-principle agreed to recognise Kawal wildlife sanctuary near Jannaram in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh as the new tiger reserve.

The 892 sq km Kawal forest is located in northern Andhra Pradesh adjoining Chandrapur and Gadchiroli forest areas in Maharashtra. This would become the second tiger reserve in Andhra Pradesh after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam.

The area was first surveyed jointly by a team comprising Kishor Rithe of Satpuda Foundation, Ashish Fernandez of Sanctuary Asia and Imran and Asif Siddiqui of Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HYTICOS), Hyderabad in 2003.

The corridor mapping was done from Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh along with documentation of the wildlife and tiger potential of the area.

HYTICOS, with the help of Nallamalai Foundation, later spent more time on wildlife corridors along the northern boundaries of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The HYTICOS team travelled 1,800 km from Yavatmal to Adilabad, touching Chandrapur border and completed its search at Gadhchiroli border. The Satpuda and Sanctuary teams focused on Maharashtra corridors with Andhra Pradesh.

The proposal was under consideration of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) since then. The sanctuary was under threat from illegal encroachments after Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 came into force. In May 2011, environment minister Jairam Ramesh and a team too had visited Kawal.

If Kawal formally becomes a tiger reserve, one more reserve will be added to the existing reserves in 300 km vicinity from tiger capital Nagpur. It will include Kanha, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench (MP), Pench, Indravati, Melghat and Satpura-Bori. The MoEF has already agreed to declare Bor and Nagzira-Navegaon as tiger reserves.

"Kawal will help reduce man-animal conflict in Chandrapur-Gadchiroli districts as our spill-over tiger population will find place in Kawal," stated Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation and member of National Board for Wild Life (NBWL).

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Kawal-in-Adilabad-to-be-new-tiger-reserve/articleshow/9006099.cms

Next Steps in ALDF's Fight to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger

2011-06-04T03:46:00.000-04:00

Posted by Matthew Liebman, ALDF Staff Attorney on June 3rd, 2011

Direct link to article and picture: http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1723

As our supporters know, the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s recent victory in our lawsuit to free Tony the truck stop tiger was extremely significant, because it finally puts a light at the end of the tunnel that is Tony’s imprisonment. Tony has lived at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana for the past decade, and as a result of ALDF’s case, the annual permit that allows him to be kept there will not be renewed when it expires in December 2011. However, it was a qualified victory—because we were unable to get Tony released immediately.

But we’re not giving up on that goal. That’s why ALDF recently filed a motion for a mandatory injunction that would compel the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to revoke the current permit and seize Tony—meaning that Tony would not have to wait until December to experience his new life beyond the Tiger Truck Stop. Although this specific request was part of ALDF’s original complaint, the court did not rule on it at the hearing last month.

A new hearing on the motion for a mandatory injunction has been set for June 14. Stay tuned to the ALDF website, Facebook page, and Twitter for updates as soon as they become available.

Posted in ALDF Blog

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1723

'Miracle Mali' tiger cub makes remarkable recovery and celebrates first birthday

2011-05-29T13:54:00.002-04:00

Endangered Sumatran tiger nearly died but is back in the pink and celebrated her birthday with her twin brother.

Q13 Fox News Online May 28, 2011

TACOMA — A Point Defiance Zoo tiger cub who nearly died celebrated her first birthday with her twin brother by her side.

The recuperating cub’s name is Mali, but today zookeepers are calling her “Miracle Mali” and giving her some special presents.

The endangered Sumatran tiger cub nearly died last November. She is now fully recovered and her twin brother helped her celebrate her birthday and good health.

Mali and Bima were born May 25, 2010 at the zoo. They’re among about 75 Sumatran tigers living in North American zoos; fewer than 300 Sumatran tigers live in the wild worldwide.

“Miracle Mali” and Bima made their first public appearances today in a waterfall exhibit in the zoo`s Asian Forest Sanctuary.

The cubs enjoyed special birthday presents, "meatsicles" flavored with spices and large, colorfully decorated plastic jugs filled with ice, a variety of scents, and some plants. After that, Bima and Mali, along with mother Jaya, explored the zoo's large waterfall exhibit.

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-miracle-mali-makes-remarkable-recovery-and-celebrates-1st-birthday-20110528,0,3016052.story

Visitors Can See New Tiger In Exhibit At National Zoo In DC

2011-05-29T03:16:00.002-04:00

4:39 PM, May 25, 2011

WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- A Sumatran tiger has arrived at the National Zoo.
Zoo officials say the 2 1/2-year-old female tiger named Damai is spending time outside in her exhibit where visitors can see her. The Zoo now houses three Sumatran tigers: Damai, Soyono and Soyono's 5-year-old offspring, Guntur.

Tiger keeper Leigh Pitsko said about Damai in a statement Wednesday, "We can already tell that Damai is a great tiger. She's sweet, very calm and curious about everything going on around her."

Zoo officials say they plan to breed Damai with a male tiger later this year. Her genetics are rare among tigers in captivity in North America and zoo officials say that makes her a highly valued animal in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Sumatran tigers. The plan matches animals nationwide to ensure genetic diversity in the population.

http://wusa9.com/news/article/152336/373/New-Tiger-At-National-Zoo

Assam tiger expected to boost gene pool at Bhopal zoo

2011-05-29T03:09:00.001-04:00

New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) A four-year-old orphan tiger, shifted recently from a rehabilitation centre in Assam to Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, seems to have brought cheers to the officials as they hope it will add to the gene pool of the wild cats in the breeding centre.

The tiger, named Vivek, reached Van Vihar on Friday evening after a five-day journey covering 2012km on road from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) near Kaziranga in Assam.

"With the arrival of Vivek, the count of Royal Bengal tigers at Van Vihar has reached 10 and breeding among the big cats is likely to get a boost," said A K Khare, Assistant Director of the Central Zoo Authority-recognised modern zoo.

"Being a wild tiger, Vivek is expected to benefit the gene pool of tigers at Van Vihar," Khare told PTI.

The tiger was rescued from Methoni tea estate near Kaziranga National Park in 2007 when it was barely six months old.

The cub was found poisoned and in a critical condition when rescued by a team of forest officials and International Fund for Animal Welfare-Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI) veterinarians. The carcass of another cub was found nearby and their mother was not located.

Since then, Vivek was hand-raised at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) near Kaziranga, jointly run by IFAW-WTI and the state forest department.

According to WTI chief veterinarian Dr N V K Ashraf, they decided to shift the tiger to another place as CWRC was just a rehabilitation centre and could not afford to keep adult animals for a longer period.

"CWRC''s priority is to release rescued animals in the wild, but since protocol for rehabilitation of hand-raised tigers has not been formalised, Vivek had to be shifted to a zoo," said Dr Ashraf.

"We decided to shift the animal to Van Vihar as it is one of the biggest zoological park and CZA-recognised breeding centre having near natural environment," he added.

Van Vihar National Park is a notified protected area and a modern zoo hosting animals in near natural conditions.

Spread over an area of 445 hectares, the national park boasts of the largest mammal enclosures.

Speaking about the tiger''s behaviour at Van Vihar, Khare said, "Vivek has not shown any sign of stress or discomfort since its arrival at Van Vihar. He has been very friendly and seems to be happy with the new location."

"We have provided him a 1,000-sq metre-enclosure with two chambers fitted with coolers to help him beat the summer heat. There is also a water hole inside the enclosure," he said, adding that the animal was being fed with 8kg of buffalo meat every day.

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5181952

Tiger Cub Draws Crowds At Rose Festival

2011-05-29T02:57:00.003-04:00

(See video at the direct link to this article.)

Fair Attendees Get Unique Opportunity To Play With Endangered Animal

POSTED: 9:32 pm PDT May 28, 2011
UPDATED: 10:13 pm PDT May 28, 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Follow the oohs and ahhs at the Rose Festival CityFair to an orange and black ball of fluff.

Sheena, an 8-week-old tiger cub, is stealing the show.

It's a unique opportunity for people to interact with an endangered species.

Anyone will to pay $10 and wait in a long line can get a few minutes of play time with the cub.

She belongs to A Walk on the Wild Side, an animal conservation group in Canby. While the majority of the group's exotic animals are rescued from people unable to care for them, the cub was purchased from a wildlife sanctuary in Bandon.

Sheena is young enough to play with people safely, say staff.

In a few weeks, she will not longer interact with the public.

A Walk on the Wild Side staff will stop their hands on interaction when she gets to be a year old.

http://www.kptv.com/news/28062280/detail.html

More about the abuse of tiger cubs: THE TRUTH ABOUT TIGER CUB PETTING DISPLAYS IN MALLS http://bigcatrescue.org/abuse-issues/issues/pet-cubs/

Answers to Your Questions About ALDF's Win for Tony the Tiger

2011-05-19T19:55:00.007-04:00

Posted by Matthew Liebman, ALDF Staff Attorney on May 16th, 2011

In the wake of ALDF’s recent victory in the Tony the truck stop tiger case, we’ve received a lot of questions about the ruling. ALDF staff attorney Matthew Liebman answers some of these questions.

Q: Why does Tony have to wait until December before he can leave the Tiger Truck Stop?
A: Michael Sandlin’s current permit is valid until December 2011. The court enjoined the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from issuing Mr. Sandlin a new permit when the current one expires. Although ALDF argued that the court had the authority and the obligation to order the Department to immediately revoke the permit, the court disagreed. The court directed the agency not to issue a new permit, but the current permit will stay valid until it expires in December.

Q: Is there anything that can be done to get Tony released sooner?
A: ALDF is looking at all of its legal options to determine whether further litigation could change the timeframe for Tony’s release. In the meantime, we’re encouraging our supporters to sign our petition urging the Department to revoke Mr. Sandlin’s permit. Even though the court refused to order the Department to revoke the current permit, the Department retains the authority to do so on its own if it chooses.

Q: Where will Tony go in December?
A: Although ALDF asked for custody of Tony in our lawsuit, the court refused to award him to us. That means the decision of where Tony goes in December is out of our hands. But ALDF will do everything it can to recommend and promote Tony’s release to a reputable, established, and humane sanctuary that will meet all of Tony’s needs.

Posted in ALDF Blog

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1711

Maine animal sanctuary has baby Bengal tiger

2011-05-18T17:29:00.003-04:00

Makeena, a baby white Bengal tiger.

For more information about white tigers please see this excellent article : http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2010/02/white-tigers-conserving-misery/

The Associated Press May 16 2011

MOUNT VERNON — A baby white Bengal tiger has a new home at an animal sanctuary in Mount Vernon, Maine.

Courtesy D.E.W. Animal Kingdom and Sanctuary

The tiger Makeena was donated to the D.E.W. Animal Kingdom and Sanctuary by tiger breeders in the southeastern United States. The cub has been in Mount Vernon for about a week now.

The cub is being fed formula and its handlers say they plan on putting her on a meat diet in a few weeks.

Visitors can see Makeena several times a day.

WCSH-TV says officials at the sanctuary say they hope to get Makeena to breed with another tiger they have.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Animal-sanctuary-has-baby-Siberian-tiger-.html

From ALDF: Victory in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Lawsuit to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger

2011-05-06T14:37:00.000-04:00

May 6th, 2011

Baton Rouge Court Grants Permanent Injunction, Ordering Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to Stop Issuing Illegal Permit Allowing Tony to Be Kept on Display in Iberville Parish

For immediate release

Contact:
Lisa Franzetta, Animal Legal Defense Fund
Megan Backus, Animal Legal Defense Fund

BATON ROUGE, La. – This morning, a judge in East Baton Rouge District Court granted the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s (ALDF) request for a permanent injunction against the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, preventing the Department from renewing the annual permit that allows Michael Sandlin, owner of Grosse Tete’s Tiger Truck Stop, to display Tony, a ten-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger. When the current permit expires in December 2011, Sandlin will no longer be able to keep Tony confined as a roadside exhibit at the truck stop where he has languished for over a decade. The court also assessed costs against the Department in the case.

In preparation for the day the current permit expires and Tony is finally free, ALDF hopes to work with the Department to find the best possible new home for him, providing recommendations for reputable sanctuaries where Tony can live out his life in a peaceful, natural environment, free from the 24-hour exposure to noise and diesel fumes that have plagued his life to date.

ALDF’s lawsuit to free Tony has drawn the support of high profile advocates like Leonardo DiCaprio and True Blood’s Kristin Bauer and has galvanized activists around the world. This week, ALDF delivered to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries over 31,000 signed petitions urging it to revoke Sandlin’s permit to keep Tony. Tony has been on exhibit at the Tiger Truck Stop since 2001; he has lived there with no other tiger companions since 2003. Joining ALDF as a co-plaintiff in the case is former Louisiana Representative Warren Triche, who authored the state’s law that led to the ban on the private ownership of big cats, including tigers. Two other Louisiana residents, also deeply concerned by Tony’s long-time suffering, are additional co-plaintiffs. The law offices of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, P.C. are providing pro bono assistance with the lawsuit.

“Today, the law was upheld in the state of Louisiana, which has explicit regulations designed to protect tigers like Tony,” says ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells. “It is an incredible victory for ALDF, the tens of thousands around the world who have supported this campaign, and most of all, for Tony. We eagerly look forward to the day that he leaves behind the noise and fumes of the Tiger Truck Stop for a new life of freedom that he has never known.”

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1700

Malayan tiger cub is in the Palm Beach Zoo's future

2011-04-26T00:45:00.004-04:00

By Sonja Isger Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 6:03 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2011
Posted: 7:58 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH — A Malayan tiger cub is in the Palm Beach Zoo's future.

Berapi, who arrived at the zoo in November, is indeed pregnant and will likely deliver up to four cubs in May, zoo officials announced this morning.

She came to the zoo as a love match for Rimba, a long-time resident of the zoo, at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach.

Relentless poaching and loss of habitat has put the entire tiger population of Asia in massive decline, with several subspecies now extinct, according to the zoo's website.

The Malayan tiger is found only around the Malayan Peninsula. Among the tiger family, it is the smallest of the species. Estimates of how many Malayan tigers remain vary, but there may be as few as 500 remaining in the wild, according to the Palm Beach Zoo.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/malayan-tiger-cub-is-in-the-palm-beach-1424967.html

San Diego Zoo Tiger Cubs Open Their Eyes

2011-04-26T00:39:00.001-04:00

IBTimes Staff Reporter April 21, 2011 6:25 PM EDT

(Photo: San Diego Zoo / Handout)
A pair of Tiger Cubs born on April 2, 2011 are seen in a photo taken on April 19, 2011.

A pair of just over 2-week old Malayan tiger cubs at the San Diego Zoo have recently opened their eyes.

The still nameless cubs, who weighed 7.7 pounds as of the weekend, are expected to go on dispaly when they turn three months old. They were born on April 2 and are rapidly gaining weight, said Rochelle Willison, Senior Keeper at the San Diego Zoo.

"Currently they have their eyes open. They're crawling around," Willison said. "Within the next two weeks they'll probably learn to start walking a lot better and crawl out of the nest box. By about two months they'll be running all over the place and by three months mom will have a handful and we will probably put them on exhibit a little bit after that."

The cubs can only see shadows at this point, sleep most of the day and are completely dependent on their mother, 12-year old Mek Degong.

"There are only about 500 Malayan tigers left in the wild. That's why it's critical to help save the species," she says.

Mek Degong has had a total of 7 cubs, according to zoo spokeswoman Yadira Galindo. There are three adult cubs and the two newborns at the zoo at this time.

The other cubs have been sent to institutions belonging to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, Galindo says. The program helps find the "best genetic match" for pairing and procreation.

The San Diego Zoo has had Malayan tiger cubs since 1992.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/137136/20110421/san-diego-zoo-tiger-cubs-open-eyes.htm

Two tiger cubs spotted at Ranthambore National Park

2011-04-25T22:27:00.001-04:00

Jaipur, April 25 (IANS) Two new tiger cubs have been spotted at the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district, taking the total number of cubs in the park to 12, and bringing cheer to wildlife enthusiasts.

The cubs of tigress named T-8 were spotted Saturday in Zone Number 8 of Chidikheda area in Phalodi Range of Ranthambore National Park.

"The tiger cubs were spotted in the morning shift of tiger safari. They were roaming around with their mother T-8," Nature Guides Association president Atiq Mohammad said Monday.

The sight enthralled the tourists who frantically took pictures of the cubs and their mother.

"The cubs strayed in the forest area, but the mother continued to hang around," Atiq added.

The guides, who had taken the tourists into the park, immediately informed the authorities. "We have set up 3-4 trap cameras in the area and increased tracking," said a senior park officer.

According to forest officials, the park houses 31 adult tigers. Other wild animals found there include leopards, wild pigs, deer species and monkeys.

Ranthambore National Park is spread over an area of around 400 sq km. If the adjoining Sawai Man Singh sanctuary, over 175 km from Jaipur, is taken into consideration, the total area is around 500 sq km.

The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957, and gained the protection of the central government's Project Tiger scheme in 1974. It was designated a national park in 1981.

The latest tiger census puts the total number of tigers in India at 1,706, marking an increase of 295 over the last census in 2006.

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=234698

Forest union threatens to shut tiger reserves

2011-04-25T21:38:00.000-04:00

TNN Apr 26, 2011, 03.07am IST

NAGPUR: The Maharashtra Forest Guards, Forest Employees and Forest Workers' Sanghatana has threatened to close down Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat tiger reserves if wages of van majoors are not paid immediately.

Working president of the Sanghatana, Siraj Patel, informed that over 1,500 forest workers (van majoors) in the three tiger reserves had not been paid wages for the past four months. These workers were last paid in December. Patel's threat comes a day before Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh is visiting Nagpur for opening the first regional office of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Van majoors are backbone of any protected area as mostly they man the protection huts deep inside tiger reserves and conduct patrolling. "It has become a chronic problem but forest officials have failed to address it. NTCA has released the money but why is wildlife wing not paying the workers," Patel asked.

"We will not allow tourists to enter these three reserves, if wages are not paid in eight days," warned Patel. Wildlife wing officials, who did not wish to be quoted, said: "This year tiger reserves did not receive the second instalment under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) and hence the problem."

They said NTCA released Rs 41.39 lakh for TATR; Rs 13 lakh for Pench and Rs 61.35 lakh for Melghat towards second instalment on March 31, the last day of financial year. "We could not spend the money in one day. Now, unless Centre revalidates the payment, the funds will be kept in abeyance," official sources informed.

Patel said big talk was being made to save the tigers in the name of tiger capital but both NTCA and state government had failed to address the core issue of releasing wages to workers on time.

State government apathy was worse. The financial year begins from April 1 and MoEF releases its share under CSS in September. Shockingly, state finance department releases a separate GR, usually in January, to release this money.

"It's a vicious circle. As first instalment is delayed, utilisation certificates (UCs) are not submitted in time. Unless UCs for first instalment are submitted, MoEF doesn't release second instalment," officials stated.

Patel alleged at a time when tiger numbers had gone up in the state, no steps were being taken to create space for additional tigers. "There is no capacity building, no proper postings and time-bound promotions. How can you expect the field staff to be motivated and protect the tigers," the veteran union leader asked.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-union-threatens-to-shut-tiger-reserves/articleshow/8084487.cms

Photos: Cancun Tiger Seize

2011-04-23T15:42:00.005-04:00

Direct link to photos: http://ow.ly/4FHN8

News Article: http://ow.ly/4FHVN

http://ow.ly/4FHN8

Mexican authorities seize 8 tigers, 2 jaguars from embattled Cancun private menagerie

2011-04-23T15:09:00.000-04:00

By Associated Press, Thursday, April 21, 11:53 PM

CANCUN, Mexico — A decades-long battle by a big-cat aficionado to hold on to his menagerie apparently ended Thursday when Mexican authorities seized eight tigers and two jaguars.

Jose Juarez Gil, who calls himself “Pepe Tiger,” has been battling allegations from private and government groups that animals suffered under his care from inadequate food, space and veterinary care.

The cats “did not have dignified or respectful treatment, and the conditions they were being held in were unsafe,” the Attorney General’s Office for environmental protection said in a statement.

It did not say what the unsafe conditions were, but in November one of the tigers escaped its cage and mauled a man, who later recovered.

The office said the seized animals would be transferred to “places where they can be guaranteed dignified and respectful treatment, as well as medical care and food,” but it did not say specify where.

Some of the animal containers seen at the scene of the raid bore labels from a private zoo in central Mexico.

“The cats will be given a thorough medical evaluation during their handling, confinement and transport,” the Attorney General’s Office added.

Juarez Gil claimed the government violated a court restraining order allowing him to keep the animals, which he calls “my children.” He claims the raid was part of a plan to grab the land on which his impromptu zoo sits on the outskirts of the Caribbean resort of Cancun.

“They jumped the fences and broke open the locks. They began sedating the animals and loading them into cages,” Juarez Gil said. “They took them to central Mexico in trucks, in the sun, with all this heat.”

“If the tigers arrive and they die, they are going to want to blame me, but the fact is they left here in good condition,” he said.

But Juarez Gil acknowledged that his two facilities were unattended at the time of the raid and that he was operating on a shoestring, feeding the cats whatever he could find. Just before the raid, he said, he had found a dead horse he was going to feed them.

He began collecting big cats in the 1980s, when police started turning over to him tigers and jaguars seized from the private zoos of drug traffickers and other criminals.

In the years since, shopping malls and luxury apartments have sprung up around his land on the outskirts of Cancun, but he has refused to give up his animals or sell his property.

He has acknowledged that some tigers died in his care, but said he would happily contribute the animals to a zoo in Cancun if authorities agreed to open one.

The dispute took on international dimensions after Hurricane Wilma hit Cancun in 2005, wrecking some of the animals’ enclosures. U.S. animal rights groups launched a campaign dubbed “Save the Cancun Tigers.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mexican_authorities_seize_8_tigers_2_jaguars_from_embattled_cancun_private_menagerie/2011/04/21/AF21X1LE_story.html?wprss=rss_world

ALDF Files Suit to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger

2011-04-12T00:41:00.005-04:00

The following release is from the Animal Legal Defense Fund who on April 11, 2011 filed a lawsuit against The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on behalf of Tony. Direct link: http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1675

ALDF Files Suit to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger

The stench of fuel. The deafening sound of diesel engines. The neverending boredom of captivity and isolation. Such are the conditions in which Tony, a 10-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger, has spent every day and night of the last decade at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. It’s no life for a tiger, or any other animal. That’s why the Animal Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit in Louisiana, arguing that the permit that allows Tony to languish in a roadside cage violates state law.

Tony’s Tragedy
In addition to being subjected to noise and diesel fumes 24-hours a day, Tony is also frequently harassed and taunted by visitors at the truck stop. His enclosure is devoid of adequate enrichment, such as logs, trees, or complex vegetation that would allow him to engage in natural tiger behaviors. He has no pool of water large enough to allow him to submerge himself to cool off in the blazing heat of the summer. As a result of the stress of his confinement, Tony constantly paces on the hard concrete surface of his enclosure, putting him at risk for dangerous and painful veterinary conditions. Michael Sandlin, the owner of Tony and the truck stop, has been cited by the USDA due to violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including a lack of proper sanitation and improper feeding practices.

Year after year of living at the Tiger Truck Stop have taken their toll on Tony’s health. The ambient noise from the nearby freeway and the idling trucks, their diesel engines spewing noxious fumes directly into his enclosure, is painful and obtrusive to an animal with such sensitive hearing and an acute sense of smell, says veterinarian Jennifer Conrad, who has 16 years of experience with captive large cats and has visited Tony. “Based on what I have observed of Tony’s enclosure at the Tiger Truck Stop and his behavior from video and photographs, it is my professional opinion that this tiger is in poor condition and needs intervention on his behalf,” she says.

ALDF’s Argument
On April 11, 2011, ALDF filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and its secretary Robert Barham, arguing that he violated state law in granting a permit allowing Sandlin to exhibit Tony at the Tiger Truck Stop. Joining ALDF as a co-plaintiff in the case is former Louisiana Representative Warren Triche, who authored the state’s law which led to the ban on the private ownership of tigers. Two other Louisiana residents, also deeply concerned by Tony’s long-time suffering, are additional co-plaintiffs.

At the heart of ALDF’s position is the fact that Sandlin’s current housing of Tony violates state and local laws. In 2006, the Louisiana state legislature unanimously passed Act 715, which required LDWF to control the private ownership of big cats. The department enacted regulations prohibiting citizens from keeping a tiger as a pet or exhibiting a tiger in the state. In passing these regulations, the department rightly declared that possession of big cats and certain other exotic animals poses significant hazards to public safety and health and is detrimental to the welfare of the animals.

The regulations provided an exception, however: individuals who legally owned big cats as of August 15, 2006, were grandfathered in. These owners would need to apply for an annual permit from the LDWF. An ordinance passed in Sandlin’s parish of Iberville in 1993 made it illegal for anyone to keep a tiger or other large exotic cat on his or her premises for exhibition. In other words, Sandlin did not qualify for the exception because he was not in legal possession of Tony. In addition, Sandlin is ineligible for the state’s grandfathering provision because he does not live on the premises where Tony is kept, contrary to regulations.

Despite the fact that Sandlin was ineligible for a grandfather permit, the LDWF nonetheless issued him one. ALDF is taking the department to court to invalidate this illegally-issued permit.—and free Tony from his troubled life at the truck stop.

Take Action
Join the Animal Legal Defense Fund in urging the state of Louisiana to revoke the permit that allows Tony to be kept at the Tiger Truck Stop—a permit that violates both state and local ordinances designed to protect people and wild animals like Tony.

Sign the petition to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries now!

With today’s announcement from The Animal Legal Defense Fund we are asking Free Tony The Tiger friends to please support the two ALDF petitions for Tony. As well as signing them, also share them via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter, etc.

Petitions Links:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6207

http://www.change.org/petitions/speak-out-for-tony-the-truck-stop-tiger

You can also show your thanks to ALDF and Krisitn at these links:

ALDF on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnimalLegalDefenseFund

ALDF on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ALDFAnimalLaw

ALDF on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4hTHzh4M-o

Kristin Bauer:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PamfromTrueBlood

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BauervanStraten

Kristin Bauer, the actress who portrays the lovely-but-lethal vampire Pam on HBO’s award-winning True Blood, has teamed with the Animal Legal Defense Fund in the fight to free Tony.