As many of you know, the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park was established to remember loved ones lost, most to tragic circumstances. The organization was founded in memory of G.W. Schreibvogel who passed in 1997 at the hands of a drunken driver. G.W. left behind a wife, two children, and a loving family, all of who miss him dearly. 

In honor of those lost, we would like to list the memorials presently at the park. 

	G.W. Schreibvogel Born 11/26/60 Garden City, KS Died 10/14/97 Corsicana, TX You are not forgotten, Although your life has passed. Even though you're gone, Your memory will last.
Brian Rhyne Born 5/19/68 Tulsa, OK Died 12/23/01 Norman, OK If tears could build a stairway  And memories were a lane, I would walk right up to Heaven To bring you home again. My heart still aches in sadness And the secret tears still flow. What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know.  - Author Unknown
	Brian's memorial is the newly constructed bird compound. His nephew, Josh, donated his savings in memory of his uncle to build this loving memorial.
Julie Renee' Knox 8/09/61- 7/24/00 Julie shared her home with two cats, "Luci" and "Max", and she loved all animals. She died suddenly and "..her death has left a void in our hearts and our lives. God has been with us and is helping with our grief and pain. We know she would approve of the wonderful service you have provided these mistreated animals."  - Bruce Knox

A NOTE FROM OUR PARK DIRECTORI

As most of you know, we have a big problem on our hands, as the State of Oklahoma is trying to shut down our road shows. This is how we raise most of our funds to feed the animals, pay our bills and keep functioning throughout the slow winter months. If the state succeeds in shutting down our road shows, we will never be able to keep the number of large cats that we now have residing at the park. Rather than let animals starve, we would begin euthanizing them if we had to.

In the spring, the state of Texas passed a resolution, banning exotic animals in counties where state officials opt not to regulate them. This has made our already swelled waiting list explode with new requests to take in animals. Right now there are at least 19 animals in urgent need of a safe place to live, waiting for us to come pick them up in Texas. It seems that all we ever do is ask for help… beg for money. We face one emergency after another here, but I guess that's the nature of what we do. That's why we are here. 

We stuck our necks out this past weekend and risked fines and imprisonment while conducting our fundraiser in Turner Falls. Thankfully, no one bothered us, and we raised $2,578.00 towards our legal fees to fight the state officials who have been harassing us. Thanks so much to all who visited with us, and all who helped. We need another $5,000 to get our injunction filed, then we can continue fundraising on our road shows. 

With God willing and with your support, as long as I still have breath in this body, I will not let these animals go hungry. Please attend our legal aid concerts, spread the word and keep in touch. We must make the state understand that we are the good guys, and if they should focus on anyone, they should think twice about issuing breeders permits to anyone willing to part with $48 for a licensing fee. So make a few calls, forward a letter or two to a legislator, and tell a few friends about us.

Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!

God Bless,

LETTER CAMPAIGN BEGUN

In May, we sent out an emergency note to those of you on our mailing list, about our legal troubles dealing with the State of Oklahoma. To date we have not received any replies from state officials on this matter. Those of you who have sent donations, we wish to thank you for your efforts. 

The first week of June, staff from the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park traveled south to a small town near Houston, Texas, where they picked up Lacara, a five week old Black Leopard. The owners were told by the state of Texas to dispose of their animals because of the new laws restricting exotics.

Also waiting in Texas for rescue are 5 African lions, 3 tiger cubs, 1 camel, 2 donkeys, 2 llamas, 3 baboons and a horse. Owners have again been told to dispose of their animals, and no one takes in exotics in Texas. They face a July 1st deadline.

Also waiting in San Diego is a 10 yr old pygmy hippo. She is at a small park that cannot accommodate her, so they asked Joe to consider taking her. Her previous owners did not provide her with a pond or other source of water, so her skin is in very bad shape. We would love to provide a home for her, placing her in the arena where she will have her own pond and plenty of room to roam.

"…through rain and sleet and dark of night.." Well, you know how it goes. The groups who participated in our first annual Battle of the Bands contest had to battle much more than each other, as the skies opened up on us repeatedly over Mother's Day weekend, but all went well and we had a good time.

First place trophy winners in the Pro segment were Thin Yogi in the Rock category and Ambiance in the C&W category. Second place in the pro Rock division went to Papazon and third went to Sever. 

In the Amateur division for Rock, 800th Floor captured first place honors, US 199 took second, and After the Fall took third. Thank you all for coming down and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

You can visit with Thin Yogi at our Legal Aid concert in Central Park, Ardmore, on June 15^th, 10 am – 5 pm.

Saffire and Zues are the proud parents of two new baby Siberian tigers, born 5/18 at the park. Both cubs, one male and one female, will be bottle fed for the next several months. 

Saffire and Zues have four other cubs born last October at the park .

This cub, left, is less than 2 days old!

Sully and Leah, African lions rescued from Kansas, surprised us on 5/20 with the birth of two female cubs! These are the first lions ever born here at the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, and we are thrilled to report that all are doing well.

Right, one of Leah's cubs when she was just 24 hours old.

Hi Josh! Thanks again for your donation for Brian’s memorial!

AIRSO'S MEMORIAL BIKER RALLY
June 28, 29, 30th 
Call Ron for details at 580-668-2200
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wynnewood 5th Annual Cheap Date Car Show Festival and Rodeo
Saturday, July 13th, 2002 
G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park

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
--- 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
--- 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
--- 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

BOY SCOUT TROOP 168 CAMPS OUT AT THE PARK

March was cold this spring, but the members of troop 168 had a great time anyway during their stay at the Park campgrounds. During their stay, the scouts helped clean up the area, visited with the animals, and learned NOT to approach a cage when a tiger is backed up against the fence. Thanks for your efforts guys! We love to have you!

Visit their very user-friendly website at Troop 168's Home on the Web.  

Thank you all who stopped by and supported us while we were camping at Turner Falls on Memorial Day weekend. We had a great time, and we will be there again this Fall, so keep an eye out for us!

Right, Clint takes a rest with Asst Park Director, JD Ace. Clint worked hard posing for photos with visitors, and he was so very well behaved. 

Below, Asst Park Director Curtis Johnston relaxes in the river with our 17 foot Burmese Python.

Y I K E S !!

Clint celebrated his 1st birthday on Mother's Day! Please note that this photo was taken on our newly poured dance floor! You simply must come join us for Karaoke some night!

A large black cat was seen north of Maysville in April and it approached a young woman traveling in her car near a barn in the area. "She said the cat jumped up on her hood and looked her straight in the eye," said Schreibvogel. "I can guess that this animal is not afraid of humans, and may be used to human contact," he added. Local officials called the G.W. Exotic Animal Park and asked for their help. "We were asked to rescue an animal that is obviously in harm's way, and I didn't quite believe that it was a black panther until I saw it with my own eyes," said Joe Schreibvogel. Leopards are not indigenous to Oklahoma, so this must be an escapee. 

Attempts to trap the animal have been unsuccessful thus far, and staff from the park removed their trap in May. If anything else happens on this case, we will keep you posted.

          CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN