AMERICAS LARGEST WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY CLOSING
by - Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center
August 27, 2006
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26 Year Legacy Comes To An End...
DENVER, COLORADOThe Wild Animal Sanctuary (also known as Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center) has announced the non-profit sanctuary for Lions, Tigers, Bears and other dangerous carnivores is closing. Devastated by the negative effects of world-wide disasters in 2005 the sanctuary will be forced to close its doors - leaving over 150 wild animals homeless. The 140 acre sanctuary was the largest of its kind in the United States, but now its residents face an uncertain future as their caretakers scramble to find alternatives to euthanasia.
Like many other non-profit animal organizations in the U.S., the Colorado-based rescue organization was devastated financially last year when their donations all but disappeared as people shifted their support towards helping tsunami, hurricane, and earthquake victims. The sanctuary fell into major debt last year as donations dwindled and the year wore on - and even though they did receive some renewed support late in the year, the funds that came in were not substantial enough to allow the organization to fully recover. Facing massive shortfalls, management has decided that it is in the animals best interests to close its rescue operations as soon as possible.
6 Tigers in one of the sanctuarys 20-acre habitats
The sanctuary, which has operated in Colorado for nearly 27 years, is home to over 150 lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves and other carnivores that were originally confiscated from illegal pet situations by law enforcement agencies. The sanctuary will do everything in its power to try and find new homes for the animals however, there are very few organizations in the United States that have the ability to take these kinds of animals in, so placing all the animals will be a very difficult.
Most people logically expect their local zoo could take these animals in, says the Sanctuarys Executive Director, Pat Craig, but that isnt the case. The fact is that almost every zoo in the country already has a serious surplus problem of their own, and are unable to help in situations like these.
Executive Director Pat Craig with rescued African Lion
The 140 acre sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the U.S., as the facility has more large carnivores than any other large carnivore sanctuary, including 75 tigers, 30 bears, 20 mountain lions, and dozens of leopards, African lions and other big cats. The only way we will be able to place this many animals is with ample time, says Craig, as its going to take an incredible amount of work to find that many homes, and to also get the animals moved across the country when new homes are found.
However the Sanctuary doesnt have sufficient time to accomplish their goal of placing 100% of the animals since it costs over $15,000 per week to operate the facility and their operating funds have been completely depleted. We may be able to stay open for another week or two, at best, so if we dont find more resources right away we will be forced to close before new homes can be found for each animal., states Craig Any support we can get right now will allow us to stay open another day and each additional day we get will increase the odds for saving another life.
Information and Time Frames:
Sanctuary Open to Public: Now till funds run out
Placement/Transport of Animals: Now till funds run out
Special Sales/Auctions: To be announced check our web site or call, 303-536-0118
Information/Donations: On line @
www.WildAnimalSanctuary.org
via mail, or at the Sanctuary until closure is complete
Our immediate focus is to find homes for the animals and get them transported. We will be continuously trying to raise funds to that end, as well as to meet other needs, such as food, utilities, equipment payments, and paying people to help close the Sanctuary.
In the unlikely event that we have anything left after the animals are relocated and all debts are paid, any extra proceeds, fixtures and equipment must, by law, be turned over to another non-profit.
Pat Craig Executive Director
[email protected] 303-536-0118
Toni Scalera Director, Public Affairs
[email protected] 303-536-0118
www.WildAnimalSanctuary.org
