Twenty-five Bolivian circus lions rescued from poor conditions arrived in the United States on Wednesday, bound for a Colorado wildlife refuge. Dubbed "Operation Lion Ark," the 14 males and 11 female cats arrived at Denver International Airport on a jet chartered by Animal Defenders International (ADI), a British-American venture that advocates circus animal rights. "This has been a dream for so long, to empty a whole country of its circus animals," ADI president Jan Creamer told a crowd of about 100 who assembled at a United Airlines hangar to watch the event. "This Bolivian orphan might appreciate on of those bio sphere deals mentioned below." Former game show host Bob Barker, a longtime animal-rights activist who funded the relocation, was on hand to welcome the cats alongside actress Jorja Fox of TV's CSI franchise. Workers unloaded the animals in individual crates amid applause from animal-rights advocates in attendance. Veterinarian Mel Richardson, who accompanied the animals on the 11-hour flight from Bolivia, pronounced them in relatively good health ahead of their move to The Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, about 40 miles northeast of Denver. The sanctuary is constructing a biosphere on the 80-acre site so the lions can weather the cold Colorado winters. Their long-term care will be paid for by ADI. The cats were taken from eight circuses after Bolivia after passed a law in 2009 outlawing use of animals in circuses. Many were found emaciated and in poor health, and the animals underwent rehabilitation in Bolivia before the trip. After passing the law, Bolivian government officials gave circus owners one year to cease using animals, even domesticated ones, in their acts or face criminal penalties. ADI rounded up the animals from the circuses, effectively shutting down the industry in South America's poorest nation. The cats will be kept in four prides to keep them close to family members as they adjust to the new climate and altitude.
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REUTERS
Feb. 16, 2011
Bolivian circus lions flown to U.S. sanctuary
What do you think this American citizen above would think of "A 15,000-square-foot biosphere built to help them adjust to the chillier climate?"
Associated Press
Feb. 16, 2011
Twenty-five lions, most of them rescued from Bolivian circuses, were being flown to Colorado on Wednesday to start their new lives at a wildlife sanctuary.
The 13 males and 12 females were scheduled to land at Denver International Airport around 5 p.m.
The animals were rescued from deplorable conditions after a law was passed last year in Bolivia prohibiting all performances involving animals, Animal Defenders International said.
"Bob and Jorja, this man above might appreciate that "drink of water" that you can hardly wait to give to the lions!!!!"
The Holy Apostles soup kitchen in New York City, serving more meals than ever before, as the Census Bureau reported its greatest annual increase in citizens in poverty since records began.
According to the US Census Bureau report released this week, the number of Americans living in poverty has jumped to 43.6 million, or one in seven Americans. It is the highest single-year increase since the government began tracking poverty levels in 1959, five years before President Lyndon Johnson launched his war on poverty; and the indications are that the trend is continuing this year.
Television personality Bob Barker financed the rescue. He and Jorja Fox, a "CSI" actress and ADI ambassador, plan to welcome Operation Lion Ark and offer the lions their first drink of water after they land.
While three cubs are in one cage with their mother, the rest are traveling in their own cages, accompanied by a veterinarian. Before leaving Santa Cruz, Bolivia, they were given sleep medication.
After their flight, the lions will be trucked to their new home at the Wildlife Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colo., about 35 miles northeast of Denver. A 15,000-square-foot biosphere was built to help them adjust to the chillier climate.
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2 comments:
Once in a while the rich DO help - IF THERE IS SUFICIENT PUBLICITY AND GAIN FOR THEIR IMAGE.
Oprah engineered a givaway of Nike shoes to South African children.
For the event she rented a large cicus tent and had it erected on a remote section of veldt, efectively forcing the shoeless children to walk for miles to get to the event. This made for great footage - the ragged, barefoot and grateful children showing up after a day long trek to sit at the feet of the overweight American diva and hear how they could rise from poverty "just like I did".
Much of the cost was picked up by Nike, and Oprah got a huge boost to her humanitarian image (tax deductable, of course).
These hypocrite celebs do NOTHING without personal gain. For Oprah to give a million is like the average person dropping off a can of corn at the soup kitchen, yet, she is helicoptered in from her luxury hotels to mingle for an hour or so with the fly infested hoi polpoi.
It's disgusting. And the lifetime cost of vetting and caring for these lions could put Air Jordans on the feet of half of Africa. They should have been euthenzed and left in Bolivia. But, how would that benefit Bob Barker?
Wade, I'm glad you are talking about people in America. I've always believed that charity begins at home. Why send money overseas when there are children living on the streets in the United States? Sincerely Paul
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