Dire Straights

It has become routine to check the Internet for news stories pertaining to the pseudo-sanctuary. You just never know what you might find when you're searching for that "needle in the haystack." Last week I came across an article published by a neighborhood newspaper concerning the dire needs of the pseudo-sanctuary.

In this article, the pseudo-sanctuary's director told the writer the organization was in "dire financial straights." Apparently the donated supply of dog food and produce from a local grocer has "completed ceased." It seems the Board of Directors did not plan for this contingency, and so in addition to cash donations, an appeal for 10-pound bags of dog food was made public.

According to the article, the pseudo-sanctuary goes through 500 lbs of dog food per day! That means a lot of dog food is given to the bears, primates, possibly the chimpanzees, and goodness knows what other animals. Now that the pseudo-sanctuary must purchase dog food, no doubt they are buying the cheapest dog food available from the grocer.

Tarzan is also mentioned in this article. You may recall, the pseudo-sanctuary tour guide told tours in 2007 that Tarzan was moved from the touring property to a large natural enclosure at the second property to be a part of a lion pride. When that lie fell flat, the tour guide finally fessed up in 2008 that the lion died, but it was from "medical complications" resulting from his early upbringing. This summer, the staff writer wrote "Tarzan died last year because of renal failure, but not without living more than four years at the sanctuary, where he played and socialized with others of his breed."

Renal failure is very common "cause of death" at the pseudo-sanctuary. Based on my conversations with the pseudo-sanctuary's veterinarians in 2006, I have reason to believe the 6-year old lion either may have died from eating a steady diet of chicken, resulting in renal failure, or he died from another cause which the pseudo-sanctuary is hiding from the public. At this time, we are waiting for word for the cause of death for Tag, the tiger, who died several months after Tarzan, as there is concern he too may have died from "renal failure." As for Tarzan living with others of his breed - well this is completely untrue, for Tarzan only lived with one lion, Leo, whom he absolutely adored (see past posting for Tarzan and Leo's video).

The Texas AG's Office confirmed today the case is still active and that it could take YEARS to resolve. I just hope by the time the State finally takes action against this place there will be some animals left to rescue.

Note: Picture of bear and his dog food was taken by S. Snyder