Lyra enjoys a loaf of bread while relaxing in her new home.  Her condition continues to improve with constant care

The G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood has three new residents. The Siberian brown bears were brought to the U.S. illegally in 1998 for use as circus performers and were subsequently abused and mistreated. They were confiscated when found locked in the back of a moving van without food or water. 

The bears were discovered when the McClain County Sheriff's Department responded to a domestic disturbance call. The bears' owner was promptly arrested and charged with animal cruelty, in addition to several other violations relating to Federal and state licensing laws. 

Franc gets to stretch his legs in his new home

Lyra, a 7 year old female, Franc, a 7 year old male, and Tesh, an 11 year old male, will need a habitat built to accommodate them at the park. They are temporarily housed in a habitat built for our baby lions. Their cage will need to be 50 x 50 feet with a shaded area and a pool in which to bathe. "The bears are doing well, considering the shape they were in when we received the call from McClain County. All three had open sores on their feet from pacing on the fiberglass floors of the van, and they were dehydrated and hungry," said Joe Schreibvogel, Park Director. All three bears are severely malnourished, weighing in at 65 lbs, 158 lbs and 275 lbs, respectively. Had these animals been properly cared for, they should weigh between 400 and 700 lbs each. We will continue to keep you posted on the recovery and progress of Lyra, Tesh and Franc in upcoming issues of our newsletter.

Dollar General has already stepped forward and offered to donate food for the bears for their entire lives. Home Depot, Inc. is contributing to the construction of their habitat. 

SECOND ANNIVERSARY SWIFTLY APPROACHES

The G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Foundation is about to celebrate its second anniversary on October 14, 2001. The park now provides sanctuary to some 900 animals, ranging in size from the smallest sugar glider, to full-grown lions, tigers and bears. "We need to continue expansion to accommodate animals still on our waiting list," said Park Director, Joe Schreibvogel. 

Construction continues at a frenzied pace as funds are donated for expansion. At present, habitats are being built for newly obtained bears and tigers, and an expanded monkey cage is under construction, which will greatly improve the well being of our current residents. The recent arrival of three Siberian Brown bears in desperate shape has brought the park much needed attention and donations have been at a record high. Thanks to your efforts, the animals at the park will continue to thrive, receiving food, shelter, and the love and kindness that they deserve.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Nightmare at Exit 64 - Make plans now to attend our second annual Halloween Festival. Enjoy a full week of activities at the park, including a Haunted House. Come in costume and visit the animals by moonlight! The fun begins at dusk and continues until 10 pm each evening, and until midnight on the 31st. Cost is $3 per person. 

Christmas with the Animals - our second annual Christmas Dinner and party for underprivileged children will be held on Sunday, December 16th at 6 p.m., with gifts and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Last year the park hosted over 250 children for this event. 

Donations of gifts and/or funds are needed for this event. If you would like to help sponsor us, please drop off new, unwrapped toys at the park during normal business hours. Please contact the park office for more information at 405-665-5197. Thanks in advance for your generosity!

INVESTIGATION UNIT BEGINS OPERATIONS

Our newly created Animal Cruelty Investigation Program is now in place and underway. If you witness what you feel is an act of animal cruelty, you can take steps immediately to get something done! Joe Schreibvogel and his team of volunteers are available to investigate such incidents, and if further action is appropriate, the proper authorities will be contacted immediately. You have a direct link in preventing what may become a tragedy by calling us at 405-665-5197. 

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Humphrey, the camel is a favorite among visitors at our road shows. He loves to kiss everyone.

The G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park is a non-profit foundation, and therefore relies almost entirely on public donations to fund its operational expenses. The staff at the park is made up of dedicated volunteers who devote long hours of hard work to maintaining the grounds and caring for the animals.

Our park Director, assisted by a number of volunteers, takes several animals on educational road shows to local schools. The animals are always well received, and students learn about natural habitats and ecology, through a hands-on experience. 

The park maintains a truck-trailer, which houses the animals and exhibits for our road shows. Local businesses will also sponsor a show where visitors can, for a $5 donation, have their picture taken with a baby tiger, lion, or some other exotic animal from the park. The show has been to Turner Falls both on Memorial Day and July 4th weekends and will be at Turner Falls again this coming Labor Day weekend. Other shows were held at the week-long Madill Bass Festival and Wynnewood Cheap Car day. 

	Our 1st annual Airso Bike Rally in late June at the Park was a great success. To our surprise, there was even a wedding performed during the festivities. In July we had our 2nd annual Luau at the Park with the live band, BB Gunn from Ardmore. Folks enjoyed lots of food, fun and games, and a night with the animals.
Above, Shirley Schriebvogel tends to the gate at the July 7th Luau at the park Right, our 30 foot mobile van packs a punch at local fundraising events. The animals are always well received.

URGENT WISH LIST

Among the most urgent needs for the park are large capacity generators, propane heaters and tanks, refrigerators and freezers for storage, and a small tractor. If you would like to donate any of the above, please contact us at 405-665-5197. Our website has a more complete wish list for the park which includes items such as frosted flakes and donuts for our bears with a sweet tooth, so please stop by our Wish List.

G.W. EXOTIC ANIMAL PARK GOES INTERNATIONAL

Our guest book is located in the gift shop as you enter the park. It is overflowing with visitor names from around the world! Word has spread throughout all 50 states here and into 17 foreign countries, including The Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Mexico, India, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Columbia, Chile, Korea, Ireland, Switzerland and even Puerto Rico. The feedback we receive from visitors includes comments on the park's cleanliness and coziness with the animals. When it comes to compassion for our animals, there is no language barrier. Kindness and caring seem to extend beyond our international borders.

THE LIST OF SPONSORS GROWS

Many thanks to our famous and not-so-famous sponsors! The list of park supporters grows daily, with your help. Among our corporate sponsors are:

Among the famous names associated with the park are: