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ANGEL MEETS HER
GUARDIAN ANGEL
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Angel, a 375-pound black bear, finally met her guardian angel on March 8th at the
G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park in Wynnewood. Dr. Dana Martin from Pauls Valley performed oral surgery on Angel to fix all four of her canines with exposed
nerves.
 Dr. Martin arrived with her assistant, Cindy Gilliam, early Friday morning, armed with a multitude of donated equipment and supplies. Angel was sedated, and her surgery was performed in a makeshift operating room set up in the Park's cafe. Angel ended up having two root canals on her upper canines, and her two lower canines will have to be extracted, as they are beyond repair. She has temporary fillings on them, and they will be extracted at a later
date.
Her surgery lasted for several hours and would have cost the park nearly $6,000 if Dr. Martin hadn't donated her services. While performing the procedure, Dr. Martin offered to sponsor Angel and become her "adoptive parent". She will donate $3,500 to build a compound for Angel at the park. Construction on her compound will begin soon.
Above,
Dr. Green watches Angel’s vital signs while Dr. Martin, center,
performs oral surgery. Assistant
Cindy Gilliam, right, looks on.
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 On December 8th, volunteers from the
G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park headed north to Mulvane Kansas, to rescue animals from a private sanctuary there. When they arrived, staff found three tigers, two African lions, three mountain lions, a skunk, two foxes and two bears living in horrible conditions. Angel is the only animal among those rescued with a dedicated sponsor thus
far.
Angel is a North American black bear, and when she was closely examined, it was discovered that her teeth were in a horrible state. "She has exposed nerves in all four canines. She must be in terrible pain," explained Dr. Jo Anne Green, the park's veterinarian. Angel is also an amputee. She lost a limb when her father mauled her when she was a tiny cub, according to the couple that had her in Kansas.
Since her surgery, Angel's disposition has significantly improved. "She used to be pretty cranky, especially at feeding time," said Joe Schreibvogel, Park director. "Now she will rise up to her full height and actually give me a bear hug, resting her head on my shoulder," he added.
The call went out in December to find a dentist to help Angel with her teeth. When Dr. Martin offered her services, we were so very pleased that she came forward to help.
HATS OFF to Matt, Missy and Cody Womack from Daylight Donuts in Sulphur. Not only have the Womacks been donating day-old donuts for our Siberian bears on a regular basis, but they have decided to sponsor Jill, the black bear rescued from Sulphur in January.
Heartfelt thanks also are extended to Dr. Dana Martin and her staff for donating Angel's surgery. Dr. Martin has also decided to sponsor Angel and build her compound.
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A
NOTE FROM OUR PARK DIRECTOR
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who helped us get through this tough winter. It was a long one, and the animals would have never made it without you.
Summer is just around the corner and our calendar is filling up with exciting new events and programs, all to help us take care of our residents. We hope to have a summer like never before! Keep spreading the word and take a moment to come visit us if you can.
Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank
you! 
God Bless,
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DONATIONS
NEEDED
If you have any of these items and would like to donate them to the park for use this summer, please call us at (405) 665-5197.
· Pool Filter for use on Tiger Island
· Used but working refrigerator
· Scooter for use with disabled visitors
· Golf carts
· Vent for the kitchen area
· Pump sprayer for use in cleaning
· Grass hay
· Rakes
· Rope barriers for use on road shows
· Galvanized stock tanks for the animals
· Telephone poles for our confidence course
· MEAT for the animals
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DID YOU
KNOW
…that we now have 89 large cats at the
park
…that we have 12 bears
…that we also have 320 small mammals
…that we have 478 birds and reptiles
…that we dish up 280 pounds of feed daily
…and that we need a minimum of 500 lbs of meat per day?
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| PARK CELEBRATES
EASTER
 Families arrived dressed in their Sunday best to see what the Easter bunny left on the lawns at the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park. The weather was perfect for the annual event, and some 600 people enjoyed a day of family fun and entertainment while visiting the animals at the
park.
Tori Johnston provided live music all day while visitors hunted eggs and collected prizes and coupons. Folks were also able to have their photo taken with Clint Black, a rare, Indo Chinese tiger who was brought out for this special event. "Clint is one of only 60 or 70 Indo Chinese tigers left in the world, so he is a very special resident," said Joe Schreibvogel, Park Director.
 Participants were able to visit with new park residents, including baby sheep and birds, and a pelican named Bruce, which was donated by the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge.
Bruce,
right, would appreciate local fisherman donating their catch
of the day to the park.
Sponsors for the park's Easter celebration included Taco Bell, Arbys, Wal-Mart, Burger King, Ryans Steak House and Mazzio's Pizza in Ardmore, Pizza Hut in Davis, Taco Mayo, McDonalds, KFC, and Wal-Mart in Pauls Valley and Sulphur, and Sonic in Wynnewood.
A special thanks to our Easter sponsors for helping make our
celebration one to remember!
|
 BUCK
NEEDS A SPONSOR
Buck is a beautiful Bengal tiger, rescued from Kansas in December. He is still in a holding pen because he doesn't have a sponsor yet to build his
compound.
Holding is kind of uncomfortable for him, as he is in a 10' x 10' cage. Because he is one of the largest cats we have, he really needs room to move about or his health will eventually deteriorate. He also has one of the most docile dispositions of all our residents, and we would really like to let him strut his stuff. We would like to house Buck in a 90' x 40' cage with a pond, and give him some female company. If you would like to help Buck build a home, please send donations earmarked for him to the park. The cost for his compound would be about $3,700. |
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Hi
Josh! Thanks again for your donation for Brian’s memorial!
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|
BATTLE OF THE
BANDS
Saturday, May 11th
Three categories: C & W , R & B, Rock
1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in each category PLUS a grand prize
winner!
Sponsored by
Budweiser
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MOTHER'S DAY
AT THE PARK
Sunday, May 12th
Free admission for all moms accompanied by their children, plus a free gift at the gate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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Wynnewood 5th Annual Cheap Date Car Show Festival and
Rodeo
Saturday, July 13th, 2002
A list of
events:
--- Car show registration 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at G.W. Exotic Animal
Park
--- Sidewalk sales starting at 9:00 A.M. Downtown Wynnewood
--- Parade 11:00 A.M. Downtown Wynnewood
--- Poker run of cars 11:30 A.M. all over Wynnewood
--- Food, craft, product booths at G.W. Set up by 10:00
A.M.
--- Car Show back from poker run for show at G.W. , 1:30 pm
--- Karaoke starting at 1:30 P.M.
--- Live music starting at 2:00 P.M. till 2 A.M. Live music with
country singer Tori Johnston
--- Games for the kids starting at 3:00 P.M. at G.W.
--- Live music with Pake McEntire from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. with autograph
signing
--- Car show judging at 2:30 P.M. at G.W. Awards at 3:00
P.M.
--- Budweiser draft sales start at 3:00 P.M.
--- Luau Christmas party starting at 6:00 P.M. till 2:00 A.M. at
G.W.
--- Rodeo in Wynnewood starting at 8:00 P.M. July 11th, 12th,
13th
--- Games for the kids and much more all night long at the
park
--- Some other fun visitors will include KXY 96.1 radio from Oklahoma
City
--- Drug dog demonstration by the Garvin County Sheriff's
Office
--- Face painting by Tracy Beasley
--- Hot air passenger balloon demonstration by Joe Hartpence
--- Free balloons and much more
Animal section will be open till 2:00 A.M. $5.00 to see the
animals
KXY 96.1 BUDWEISER
KKAJ 95.7
Special Guests: Pake McEntire & Tori Johnston
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ANIMALS
STILL WAITING FOR SPONSORS
Todd and Blue are foxes who are temporarily residing in the cage we had set aside for our anteater, Ariel, and our sloth, Oscar. Ariel and Oscar will be ready to move back into their outside cage soon, as the weather improves, which means that Todd and Blue will be homeless. The cost to build a compound for the foxes would be
$900.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 Madison and
Dylan, two African lions rescued from northern Oklahoma this winter, are waiting for a sponsor to build their compound. "They are growing fast, and are going to outgrow the cage they are in very soon," explains J.D. Ace.
African lions do not fare well when confined to small cages. They are subject to infection and all sorts of debilitating conditions, including stunted growth, if they don't have room to move around. Take a look at Leo if you get the chance, and you will see a perfect example. He was confined to a barn stall for most of his early life, and he will never grow to normal size. "We don't want that to happen to Madison and Dylan. We would like to move them to a larger compound as soon as possible," added J.D. A compound for Madison and Dylan is planned for the arena. Cost for the cage would be
$3,500.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| PARK DIRECTOR INJURED BY TEXAS MOUNTAIN
LION
March 9th was a scary day at the park, and a reminder of how very dangerous the animals that we care for can be. Park Director, Joe Schreibvogel, was feeding the large cats on the grounds when a mountain lion recently rescued from Texas reached outside her cage and managed to hook a claw onto Joe's shirtsleeve.
"It happened so fast," said Schreibvogel. "The next thing I knew, she was gnawing on my hand and her top k-9 teeth were sunk right into my thumb. I was afraid I wasn't going to get my hand back at all. When I finally got loose, I knew it was bad," he
added.
 So did J.D. Ace, the Assistant Park Director, when he heard Joe hollar. J.D. and Programs Director, J.C. Hartpence came running to Joe's side. They rushed him to the Pauls Valley emergency room where Joe received stitches in his wrist, thumb, palm of his hand, and across the entire base of his index finger. "He's lucky he didn't lose his thumb and index finger," said J.C. Hartpence. "It was that
close.
"Even with all the measures taken by the park to assure the safety of its staff, accidents still happen. "Can you imagine that folks still want to keep these animals as pets? This is the perfect example of what a large cat can do in a split second," said Schreibvogel. "These animals do not belong in your neighbor's back yard, in inexperienced
hands."
Joe has been tending to exotic animals for more than 18 years, and even with the seasoned professional, the unpredictable nature of these animals still warrants his close attention and care. Over the years he has received some 229 stitches and several broken bones due to run-ins with his residents. "This is a dangerous business, but I wouldn't trade it for the world," said Schreibvogel. |
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PARK NEEDS MEAT
"I can't think of any simpler way to say it… we need
meat!"
Not all of the animals at the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park are carnivores, but a large percentage of the biggest eaters are, and the park is in desperate need of meat. "Throughout the winter, we rely on local farmers to call us when they have a cow down, and we go and pick it up and butcher it here at the park to feed. Summer doesn't offer us that luxury, as cattle fair much better then," explained Schreibvogel. "We brought in 14 new adult carnivores, 4 new omnivores and had 8 baby tigers born this winter, so we are facing quite a crunch this summer," he added. The park needs about 500 pounds of meat
per day to feed its animals, and buying it costs about 30 cents per pound. So please donate to the meat fund if you can!
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SIBERIAN BEARS CASE
GOES TO COURT
Alexsander Shelkovnikov, the Russian national charged with felony cruelty to animals, will appear for formal arraignment at the McClain County Courthouse, to enter his plea on April 17th at 2:45 pm. The Honorable Judge Gary Barger found sufficient evidence that there is probable cause that the charges leveled against him are valid and he is to answer to those charges.
 |
|
Fox
reporter, Chris Montana, visits with Lyra and Franc, at the
G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park. |
Alexsander Shelkovnikov appeared in court Feb 26th for a pre-trial hearing to determine if he should be held over for trial. His defense attorney, Mr. Frank Kirk of Oklahoma City, first addressed the issue of jurisdiction in the case, claiming that circus bears are not protected under state law. His motion was overruled by the judge.
Assistant District Attorney Trisha Misak then called three witnesses to present evidence supporting the charge of animal cruelty against Mr. Shelkovnikov. Sheriff's Deputy Rick Jones and Game Warden Shane Hodgins both testified that the three bears found in Rosedale this August appeared to be "very skinny" and their immediate impressions were that they had not been well cared for.
Dr. Jo Anne Green, the veterinarian present that evening, then testified that the bears that she examined had been malnourished "over a period of at least 2 to 3 months", based on the brittle condition of their fur, their weight and their general appearance. The pads of their feet were also dry and cracked, and that there appeared to be fiberglass splinters in the pads of at least one of the bears.
The park received a call from a McClain County Sheriff's deputy in August, explaining that he had discovered three bears in a backyard in Rosedale while investigating a domestic disturbance call. When Joe Schreibvogel arrived at the residence, he found three Siberian brown bears locked in make-shift cages in a moving van behind the house. "These bears had no food or water, and temperatures in that van were easily more than 100 degrees and this was in the evening. I would have given the bears at the most another week before they died in those conditions," said Schreibvogel.
All three bears were severely malnourished and dehydrated, their paws torn and sore from the floor of the van. "From what we understand, Shelkovnikov claimed to be training the bears as circus performers. I don't see how these bears could have been thinking about anything other than food or water, much less performing for anyone," he added. "One of the bears could not even walk when we found him, and he spent weeks dragging himself around on his elbows. It was pitiful to see."
The Russian national is charged with one felony count of cruelty to animals, and misdemeanor charges including possession of a brown bear without a commercial wildlife breeder's license, and possession of wildlife with the intent to transport out of state. If convicted on the felony count, he faces up to 5 years in DOC custody, but he could walk away with as little as a $500 fine. The misdemeanor charges all carry fines, should he be found guilty on those counts as well.
Tesh, the largest of the three bears, weighed about 275 pounds when staff from the park picked him up in Rosedale. Now, Tesh weighs about 650 pounds, which is an enormous improvement, but not anywhere near what an adult male Siberian brown bear should weigh. "He should be about 900-1200 lbs," explained Schreibvogel. He added that Tesh probably would never get to that size due to his history of neglect and poor nutrition.
Lyra, the female, was in the poorest shape in August when she was rescued. She weighed 65 pounds then. Today she tips the scales at about 475-500 pounds. Franc, the other male, has gained more than 400 pounds since he has been at the sanctuary in Wynnewood. "None of these bears will ever grow to normal size, and I doubt that they will ever be developmentally normal otherwise."
These bears also have huge appetites, consuming up to 70 pounds of dog food a day, plus vegetables, fruit and nuts. "They also love their donuts," added Schreibvogel. "Even if this gentleman intended to take good care of these bears, I don't see how he could, considering their needs. We rely heavily on public support and sponsors to make sure these animals are fed, and it's a daunting task just to keep up with them." The bears will remain at the park until the court decides their fate, along with that of their alleged abuser, Shelkovnikov. Should Shelkovnikov be acquitted, the bears could ultimately be released to his custody. "That would be our worst nightmare. These bears have suffered enough and they deserve a reprieve, to spend the rest of their natural lives in a sanctuary," said Schreibvogel.
| I Just Wanted You To
Know
Near or far,
No matter where you are,
I can feel you within,
time and time again,
looking in on me,
can't you see.
Time alone has shown,
Destiny to have it known,
that life goes on,
to see another dawn,
of dreams coming true,
under this sky of blue,
I never believed so strong,
in the power of the song,
I once sang, on the day when the bells rang.
In memory of you, passing into the open blue
skies above
defining the true love
to all below, or did you know?
light now shines
On the vision I saw long ago.
oww---------
I just wanted you to know.
- J.C. Hartpence
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MEMORIAL
NEWSLETTER
We are planning a Memorial Newsletter, to honor the loved ones who have inspired family members to dedicate compounds at the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park.
If you have sponsored a memorial, please send us a photo and some kind words to honor your passed loved one, so that we may share your stories with our readers.
All photos will be returned to you.
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PROJECT
DONATIONS NEEDED
The following projects need funding:
| Meat fund |
Lion
Compound/Arena |
| New Fence
fund |
Veterinarian
bills |
| Primate
House |
Stage and
Dance Floor |
| Kansas
Rescue |
Compound
for Foxes |
| Compound
for Buck |
General
Fund |
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|
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