After receiving a report from a disgruntled ex-staff member or uninformed visitor from the park, the USDA showed up for a surprise inspection on July 22nd. Because we have expanded the number of animals we house exponentially this summer, we have new restrictions to adhere to. Unfortunately, being in compliance with these new demands will be expensive. Among the inspector's demands are the following :

In addition to the above demands, the USDA inspector recommended we put down Michaela, our tiger with a club foot, Angel, the black bear with three legs, and Rico, the mountain lion with MS, because it "may distress the public to see sick, injured and/or maimed animals." We exist because of the abuse these animals have endured, and we are their last haven for a safe and secure place to rest. Had this visitor that complained taken the time to read the signs on our habitats, he would know that. This is part of our mission. These animals aren't with us because they are "cute and cuddly". They are here because they are the victims of human ignorance and cruelty, bred for our "entertainment" then thrown away because they got out of hand when they grew up, or they got too expensive to care for. 

In any event, we are working on solutions to these new USDA recommendations, and have come up with a few ideas, but we will still need your help in attaining our goals. We have a donated semi trailer here at the park that we can use as our new commissary. With the addition of electricity and some concrete steps, we should be in business. We have some donated fence panels that we can use as barriers in the Nursery/Reptile house. Buckets with lick spigots can be used as alternate sources of water for the animals. We do, however, desperately need your help with raising the fence in the arena and building brick shelters for the animals. Check forms for donations can be found in our IMMEDIATE NEEDS page.

We introduced you to Lacara last month, when she arrived at the G.W. Exotic Animal Park. We rescued her from a park in Texas that was shutting down due to the new laws, banning exotics. She is adorable, but very thin, and apparently she is even more malnourished then we originally thought.

Her previous owner weaned Lacara at 3 weeks, instead of at 8-9 months, which is standard. He then fed her raw chicken from a grocery store as her primary source of nutrition. She received no supplements. As a result, Lacara has a severe calcium deficiency, a metabolic disorder, and very brittle bones. Imagine our surprise when we learned that all four of her limbs have multiple fractures, and her pelvis and spine are fractured. This is a tragedy. Lacara is suffering because of her previous owner's ignorance. She never should have been placed in untrained hands.

Lacara spent the day at Oklahoma State University for her diagnosis and testing. She will spend the next three weeks on a special diet, then return to OSU to see if she is strong enough for surgery. She has perhaps a 50-50 chance at survival. We will do everything we can to save this precious creature! Today's visit to OSU cost $1,460.00. Please help us help her, as we will face a huge vet bill if she recovers. She is listed on our Immediate Needs page.

THANK YOU COORS!

Thanks too the generosity of the Coors Brewing Company, we have a brand new stage! "This has been a dream for so long now, and thanks to Coors, who donated half the funds needed, we got our stage built just in time for Pake McEntire to perform on July 13th," said Joe Schreibvogel, park director. "We still need to cover the rest of the cost though, so please don't forget to donate to our stage fund," he added.

Mufasa has been with us for 2 years now, and he still does not have a sponsor.

* indicates compound already built but not sponsored.  See our immediate needs page.