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Just two weeks old, this tiger is truly a miracle, considering the shape his parents were in when they came to the
park |
PARK
BLESSED WITH EIGHT LITTLE ANGELS
Just days before
Halloween, Safire and Zeus became the proud parents of four healthy, bouncing bundles of joy. "This is truly amazing. When we rescued Safire and Zeus from a private owner in Ardmore, we had doubts that they would survive, much less reproduce," said Joe Schreibvogel, Park Director. Safire is also very young and was not expected to be fertile. It is rare to have four cubs in a litter survive, and these babies,
two boys and two girls, are all tan and black, which is extremely rare. The fact that they were conceived at all is a tribute to the care and attention that the animals at the GW Exotic Animal Park receive.
On November 17th we were pleasantly surprised with four more cubs, born to Iceis and Ramsey. "Clint now has four siblings. Two brothers and two sisters. All are very healthy," Schreibvogel added. Since Ramsey is an Indo Chinese tiger and Iceis is Siberian, these cubs are all Indo-Siberian babies. "Our makeshift nursery is full right now, and our poor nanny is working around the clock to keep these little guys happy," Schreibvogel said. The "nursery" consists of playpens inside the Café, where it's nice and warm for the cubs. It is not park policy to encourage reproduction among its residents, but "…sometimes accidents happen," explained Schreibvogel. Most males are neutered when they enter the facility, because the park just doesn't have room to accommodate births. Since animals are here for life, they all need permanent shelter. "When animals are ill or very young, we wait before putting them under the stress of a surgical procedure, and sometimes we just wait a wee bit too long," he added. These new park additions will all need sponsors, so if you are interested in providing them with a compound, you can have a baby tiger cub named in your honor.
| Hats off to Bud and Jennine Roth
from Minnesota, our very first honorary members at the park.
Their generous donation will help build a new compound. Hats
off as well to Dollar General for their continued support and
food donations. Finally, special thanks go to Tracy Beasley
for her fabulous Halloween decorations. Tracy's artwork is
displayed everywhere at the park, and her talent is
extraordinary! Take note of her work the next time you visit
us. |
 |
EMERGENCY RESCUE IN
KANSAS
Some of you received our emergency call for help this month regarding a private sanctuary in Kansas.* The owners there have run out of funds and time to care for the animals they shelter, and we have been asked to take in 3 adult tigers (one with only 3 legs), 2 adult African lions, 3 mountain lions and 2 adult black bears (one with 3 legs). As most of you know, we are full right now, but if we do another "animal shuffle" we can absorb some of these animals, assuming that the following occurs. Given that we complete the monkey compound in time, the holding areas will open up with some room. Given that Grandma gets along with another lion, she can take on a roomie. In any event, these are temporary measures, but if all goes well, we can perhaps save these newcomers from certain death, as their deadline is swiftly
approaching.
Particulars aside, we need to build two temporary tiger cages, totaling $1500. Then we need to add four permanent brick shelters, costing an additional $300 each. If you would like to help us out, please send donations earmarked for the "Kansas rescue".
Please be quick, as these animals are running out of time! Call us for more info at (405) 665-5197.
AMERICA'S MOST BELOVED
BEARS
Franc,
Lyra and Tesh
Siberian Brown Bears, Franc, Lyra and Tesh, rescued in August from a sweltering moving van, have almost reached full winter weight and are getting ready for hibernation. The Russian immigrant who is responsible for their mistreatment is still in jail, awaiting trial scheduled for April of 2002. "This man has a group of interested relatives in Russia who want to fight for custody of the bears. We cannot let that happen, as these animals face a life of abuse if they are returned to Russia," said Schreibvogel. We are happy to announce that KXY 96.1 Radio has secured an attorney to represent the bears on our behalf! The bears thank you and wish you all a happy, warm and wonderful holiday!
|
 A
NOTE FROM OUR PARK DIRECTOR
I am continually amazed at the outpouring of support and good wishes sent to us daily by all of you concerned citizens. Sometimes it's difficult to ask for help, and I have never been one to admit that I can't do it all on my own, but your response when we ask for help has been above and beyond my wildest dreams. You have all done a great job of spreading the word, and I ask that you continue to do so. Pass on a newsletter, tell folks about our website and most important, include us in your prayers now and
then.
This park is here because of you. We operate relying on donated funding and volunteer sweat. Folks here work HARD to take care of these animals, and they do it out of love. The animals respond in kind,
exponentially.
Some of you know that one of our volunteers, who is also an original board member, is suffering from a terminal lung disease and he will be leaving us soon. He has been here from the very beginning, when this park was just a dream, and he sold his life insurance policy to build the original nursery for the park. He has requested that we have his funeral here and if you would like to be notified when that time comes, please let us know. Sometime in the near future we will be asking for help to build a memorial to house the exotic birds, as per his
request.
Your support has been wonderful and we cannot say thank you enough. Keep up the good work and spread the word. Have a happy Holiday, and God Bless you all.
Joe Schreibvogel,
Park Director
|
FIRST SCHOOL SPONSOR COMES
ABOARD
Students at El Reno Elementary sold cotton candy to raise $200 to buy a sponsorship sign for the new tigers at the park. Way to go kids and congratulations! |
 |
FUND RAISING UPDATE
HALLOWEEN WAS A
HIT
This year's haunted house was a huge success. We had approximately 2000 visitors tour our facility while enjoying the creepy collection of ghouls in the barn. Folks traveled from as far away as Amarillo, Texas to see what Tracy Beasley put together. "She did an even better job than last year, if that's possible," said Park Director, Joe Schreibvogel. "We are very lucky to have her donating her talent to us," he added. The park added in a special feature for little visitors, offering a spooky trick or treat while visiting the animals from 5-6 pm on Halloween.
|
SAPULPA RESCUE UPDATE - Murlin and Dylan in
Crisis
Our newly acquired spotted leopard, Murlin and baby African lion, Dylan, are both recovering from a brush with death. Both animals came to us from Sapulpa in October, along with 3 other lions, 4 tigers and a white fox. The African cavie that we rescued with this group passed the morning after we brought him in, due to malnutrition. "All of these animals have health problems, but Dylan and Murlin apparently have severe thiamine deficiencies that will have lasting effects in them," explained Schreibvogel. Last week, park staff found both animals comatose in their cages. When our resident veterinarian had both animals stabilized with IV fluids, volunteers rushed them up to OSU for emergency treatment.
 |
Dylan, a baby African lion, has the characteristic "droopy ears" of an animal suffering from a thiamine deficiency. He may suffer ill effects for months, but will hopefully improve with proper diet and lots of TLC. Sierra, one of our baby tigers, suffered from the same affliction, and is now doing well.
Murlin, right, was comatose for 5 days.
|
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Dylan's condition was attributed to his thiamine deficiency, the result of a diet lacking sufficient red meat. He lived primarily on chicken before he came to us here in Wynnewood. "We are still awaiting the results of a bone scan and other tests on Murlin, but it's likely that he is suffering from the same deficiency," explained Schreibvogel. Since both animals began receiving thiamine boosters, their conditions have improved. "We nursed Murlin and Dylan for days, and it has finally paid off." Dylan is still tipsy but he is expected to recover. Murlin was in a deep coma for 5 days, yet now he is awake, alert and as grumpy as ever. Unfortunately, the park now faces veterinarian bills totaling in excess of $2,000 for the tests and treatment Murlin and Dylan received at OSU. "I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Their lives are worth every penny," said JD Ace, Assistant Park Director. Donations earmarked for our medical bills would be greatly appreciated. Dylan is just the sweetest little guy, with his floppy ears and sad eyes. Come visit him at the park if you can.
| ANIMALS NAMED AS
BENEFICIARIES
The animals at the GW Exotic Animal Memorial Park have been chosen as beneficiaries in at least two life insurance policies. One family from the Oklahoma City area has named the animals as beneficiaries in a $220,000 policy, and another young man in southern Oklahoma has done the same on his $80,000 policy. Hats off to all of you thoughtful enough to assure that our creatures are cared for after you are gone. What a wonderful legacy to leave
behind.
FENCING MATERIALS NEEDED
We have been ordered by the USDA to raise our perimeter fence for the park another 3 feet before the end of January, 2002. If you or your company can donate the needed materials, please contact us at (405) 665-5197. Any help would be
appreciated.
DID YOU KNOW…??...that because we are a non-profit animal sanctuary, open to the public, we are required to comply with strict USDA guidelines which regulate everything from the size of our cages to the quality of our feed? Not that we mind….it's all in the best interests of the animals. But did you know that exotic breeders are not subject to the same restrictions? In the state of Oklahoma, anyone with $48 can obtain a license to breed exotic animals, such as lions, tigers and bears. Even though they cannot legally sell them for profit, there is a black market that is fed by these animals.
You might ask why this concerns us. Well consider that a large portion of the animals we receive here at the park are unwanted animals that have overstayed their welcome as pets or have become ill while in the hands of an unskilled breeder who does not want to invest the time or money required to provide the special care that these creatures need.
Consider the sad fact that a sanctuary that has lost its license because it has not complied with USDA law can legally continue to operate as a breeder in this state. Laws are similar in Texas. Breeders need to be regulated and they need to be subject to the same strict guidelines that regulate all of us who care for our misplaced
animals.
For this reason, we have embarked on a letter-writing campaign to change these laws. Contact your senator and let him/her know how you feel about this legal loophole. A complete list of Oklahoma senators can be found at
Oklahoma
Government Pages. You can reach your Senator by e-mail, telephone or the mail at the State Capitol. (Your Senator's Name), Oklahoma State Senate, State Capitol Building, 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4808. |
COMING SOON
12 Promises Productions, an award-winning multi-media production company out of Dallas, has volunteered their services to develop a promotional video for the GW Exotic Animal Park. This video will be a valuable tool for us while we seek corporate sponsorship to secure long-term commitments to the park. Remember, the animals at the park are here for LIFE and we have to secure a future for them. Terri Howard-Hughes and her husband, our friends at 12 Promises, shot enough footage while they visited the park to make a documentary of our rescues, and they hope to submit their film for consideration as another award-winning video.
ANIMALS WAITING FOR A HOME
All of the animals listed below are still waiting for a sponsor to build their habitats. Won't you please be their Santa Claus this Christmas?
| Animal |
Cost
Per
Compound |
No.
per
compound |
No.
Waiting |
| Exotic
Birds |
$500 |
Houses 4 |
2 |
| Small
Mammals |
$800 |
Up to 2 |
as needed |
| Primates |
$1,000 |
Up to 6 |
4 |
| Mt. Lions |
$1,750 |
Up to 2 |
7 |
| Bears |
$3,500 |
Up to 2 |
2 |
| Tigers |
$3,500 |
Houses 2 |
6 |
| Lions |
$3,500 |
Houses 2 |
2 |
| Elephants |
$20,000 |
Houses 3 |
3 |
| We are almost all set for the annual
TIGERS FOR TOTS holiday dinner. We still have room for additional kids at the table, so if you know of a needy child who would benefit from an evening with Santa and a good old-fashioned dinner, please give us a call at (405) 665-5197. Dinner is on the 16th at 6:00 pm. |
"C'mere schweetheart, I'll lay one on ya!"
- Humphery, Humpback Camel |
MONKEY COMPOUND STILL NEEDS WORK
I know, I know, we have mentioned this one three months running now. Everyone loves to watch the monkeys, but no one seems to want to sponsor them. Sampson and Delilah, Ricky, Ethel and Lucy will be moving into their new home, even though it's not quite complete. We just don't have a choice at this point, as we need the holding pens that they are in for other animals. Consider that these guys are our closest cousins and maybe that will motivate you. Consider also the fact that we have a lot to thank the primates for, as they are used for research to help find cures for human ailments. We need $2,700 to finish the compound. As you walk around the park, you will see compounds with signs stating "sponsor needed". Some folks ask how we build when we don't have sponsors lined up. Well, we have good ol' Mastercard to thank for that, as Mom and I have had to turn to credit to accomplish some of these goals.
|
 |
ANIMALS WISH
LIST
We would like to give the animals something very special for Christmas. To help make them more comfortable during the winter months, we would like to build a brick shelter within each compound to keep the residents cozy and dry. Each brick shelter would cost us about $300 to build, and your "Christmas gift tag" would be placed on any shelter you donate the funds to build. Sign up forms are
available here. |
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|
**SMACK**
“Hey, watch the tongue”
-
Blondie gives JD a smootch
|
SPECIAL
THANKS
There
is one lady that we would love to meet down in Texas. She went above and WAY beyond the call of duty in her efforts
to help save our three Siberian Bears. So, to Mrs. Youngblood,
HATS OFF TO YOU! |
“What?
You never had a
bad
hair day?”
- Leo, African Lion |
“WHO WHOOO?”
- Hooter, Great Horned Owl |
“Anyone
lookin’?
Ready, set, JAILBREAK"
“Uh, but I’m stuck”
- Ollie and Spike |
”Look
into my eyes....you are
getting sleepy, very sleepy. Now quick,
open the door!”
- Clint, Indo Siberian Tiger |
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