February Newsletter: Eight rescued tigers settling in at ARK 2000; Wayward Emu finds home at PAWS; Elephant Grape Stomp returns; and more.

PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

Thirty-three years of protection, education, advocacy & sanctuary

Eight New Tigers Find Sanctuary

at PAWS' ARK 2000!

Last month we reported on the arrival at ARK 2000 of the first four of eight tigers coming to PAWS from a defunct roadside zoo (read story here). We are happy to report that the remaining four tigers arrived safely at PAWS on February 10th and are settling in nicely. It was extremely gratifying to watch as they stepped out of their transport cages and onto the lush green grass of their new habitat. The "Colorado Eight" now have a peaceful, lifetime home at PAWS.

Meet the "Colorado Eight"

Marin, 18-year-old female

Pharaoh, 14-year-old male

Sawyer, 9-year-old female

Bigelow, Nimmo and Wilhelm, 6-year-old brothers

Morris, 5-year-old male

Rosemary Arnot, 5-year-old female

Stay tuned for updates as we get to know their unique personalities and individual needs. More photos and adoption opportunities coming soon!

We urgently need your support for these tigers because some of them will require spay and neuter surgery and others arrived with chronic health conditions that must be treated. Your contribution for the "Colorado Eight" will provide them with a healthy diet and lifetime, expert care at PAWS.

To make a donation, click here.

Wayward Emu

Finds a Home with PAWS


	Emu "Georgette" now lives at PAWS.

In late December, residents of the California foothill community of Valley Springs began reporting sightings of an emu running loose in their town. An emu is a large bird, second in size to an ostrich. On a rainy morning in early January, after more than a week of roaming through local neighborhoods, yards and pastures, Calaveras County Animal Services (CCAS) received word that the big bird had wandered into an enclosed maintenance yard near New Hogan Lake. Finally, there was a chance to catch the swift-footed emu.

PAWS' veterinarian Dr. Jackie Gai was contacted for assistance in case tranquilization was required during the capture. It took six people - four staff members from CCAS and two park rangers - nearly three hours to finally corral the emu into a smaller, enclosed area where CCAS staff were able to gently herd the bird into a horse trailer. No tranquilizers were necessary.

Local media picked up the story, and despite numerous news reports no owner came forward to claim the bird. Click here to watch ABC10's report, "Emu Alert! Big bird loose in Valley Springs."

Dr. Gai visited the emu at the CCAS shelter where she treated the bird for worms. It soon became clear that the emu was female because she began making contented, deep drumming vocalizations and presented clumps of grass (a courtship display) to Dr. Gai during her visit. After the mandatory holding time had passed, and no owner had come forward, PAWS agreed to provide a home for the bird at our Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge in Herald, California. "Georgette", as she is now called, arrived at the refuge in late January (watch video below), comfortably and safely transported in a horse trailer by Henning Schreiber, Animal Services Manager for Calaveras County.

Georgette now lives with a flock of 10 emus (watch PAWS' video below) and four Simitar Horned Oryx at the Amanda Blake refuge. She is cared for by a dedicated PAWS staff and now has safety, companionship and room to roam in a very large enclosed pasture area filled with trees, grass, natural vegetation, covered shelters and a winding creek. Welcome, Georgette!

Wayward Emu Finds Home at PAWS Sanctuary

Make a donation for Georgette's care here.

Third year U.C. Davis Zoological Medicine students visit ARK 2000.

U.C. Davis Students

Tour ARK 2000 Sanctuary

Every year PAWS hosts a few special tours for student groups from the University of California, Davis. These tours are unique opportunities for students to gain knowledge about issues facing captive wildlife, and to learn how PAWS provides for the special needs of the animals in our care. Every animal at PAWS has a story, and students are especially moved by hearing about their lives prior to rescue, as well as their healing process after coming to our sanctuary. PAWS also benefits from these tours, as students ask thoughtful questions and bring fresh perspectives and ideas.


	Students learn about the African elephant barn.

On January 14th, we had the pleasure of hosting 50 students enrolled in a course called Human-Animal Interactions, Benefits and Issues. This group consisted of undergraduate students with a variety of interests, including Animal Behavior, Animal Science, and Veterinary Medicine. Students toured elephant, tiger, and bear areas with PAWS President and Co-founder, Ed Stewart, and PAWS Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Jackie Gai, and also watched sanctuary manager Brian Busta demonstrate a protected-contact training session with Asian bull elephant Nicholas. The group was led by professor Lynette Hart of the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. This tour marked the 30th year that this class has toured PAWS. Dr. Hart says of the experience: "Universally, everyone LOVES the visit to ARK 2000. Somehow the experience just gets better and better every year. Especially, seeing Nic's development and responsiveness in interacting with Brian and others is remarkable. It's awe inspiring and memorable for everyone."


UCD students listen to PAWS President Ed Stewart as he shares information about tiger siblings Roy, Kim and Claire.

On January 19th, Ed Stewart, Brian Busta, and Dr. Gai hosted a group of 10 Zoological Medicine students who are currently in their 3rd year of veterinary school at U.C. Davis. The group was led by Dr. Ray Wack, faculty of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, and Chief of Service of Zoological Medicine. This intimate tour included a visit to the newly opened Pat Derby Animal Wellness Center, in-depth discussions of sanctuary medicine, and demonstrations of a few of the many medical and husbandry procedures that we routinely perform with the full cooperation of the elephants in our care, in a protected contact setting. This is the first time that this class has toured PAWS as a part of their curriculum, and we look forward to continuing this educational partnership in the future.

Above: Pat Derby and Ed Stewart at ARK 2000

Remembering Pat Derby

PAWS' co-founder Pat Derby, who dedicated her life to changing the world for captive wildlife, lost her fight against cancer four years ago this month. A courageous and visionary leader, she truly believed in the transformative power of sanctuary to give once abused and neglected captive wildlife a second chance at life.

Pat had an uncanny ability to communicate with the animals in her care - even an elephant like Lulu, who was so traumatized before coming to PAWS that she cowered in the presence of other elephants. Under Pat's gentle guidance, Lulu soon became comfortable with her new companions. These days she roams the African habitat at PAWS, never far from Maggie or Toka.

Pat's vision for a better life for captive wild animals helped lay the groundwork for the profound changes we are seeing today, such as the public's increasing rejection of the use of wild animals in entertainment, whether elephants and tigers in circuses or orcas in marine parks, and the Ringling Bros. Circus coming to an end. The battle she began against the use of cruel elephant bullhooks has resulted in statewide bans in California and Rhode Island, with PAWS playing an integral role their passage.

Pat remains an inspiration to everyone at PAWS and to the greater animal protection community. PAWS honors Pat daily by building on the work for captive wildlife that she and her partner, PAWS President Ed Stewart, started more than 30 years ago. Work that continues, under Ed's leadership, to change the world for captive wildlife, just as Pat wanted.

Read Ed Stewart's 2013 tribute to Pat Derby here .

Ask Congress to Demand USDA Restore Public Access to Animal Welfare Data

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suddenly removed records from its website pertaining to animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act. The records were previously available to the public through a search engine, and included inspection reports, enforcement actions and other information related to animals used in more than 9,000 facilities, including research laboratories, zoos, circuses, and puppy mills. The documents are now only available through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, which can take months, or even years, to process.

Following an outcry by activists, journalists, animal protection agencies, and even regulated facilities such as zoos represented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the USDA restored some reports but the vast majority of records are still unavailable online. The agency claims it is continuing to review the website to determine which information is appropriate to post, in order to balance the "need for transparency with rules protecting individual privacy." In reality, it is now easier for abusers to fly under the radar and hide violations of the Animal Welfare Act and the mistreatment of animals.

Animal protection organizations, including PAWS, rely on these records to expose cruelty and monitor the regulation of USDA licensees, from circuses to roadside zoos. The public has a right to know what is going on behind the scenes at these facilities and whether the USDA is doing its job of enforcing Animal Welfare Act regulations.

How you can help

Call your Senators and Congresswoman or Congressman today . State that you strongly oppose the USDA's decision to remove from its website inspection reports and other important information on facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act. Ask them to contact the USDA and request that the records be made publicly available on the website again. You can locate your elected official's information here. If you know who your elected officials are, you can call them via the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Contact the USDA at 844-820-2234. Tell them that you strongly oppose the USDA's decision to remove from its website inspection reports and other critical information on facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act. Demand that the records be made publicly available on the USDA website again.

Sign the HSUS petition and ASPCA petition calling on the USDA to stop covering for abusers and make the records of animal welfare violations publicly accessible on its website again.

Share this information with friends, family and colleagues on Facebook and Twitter and other social media sites!

Saying Goodbye to Friends

Providing lifelong care for animals at PAWS' sanctuaries can be an emotional journey of ups and downs. Many animals come to us with histories of abuse and neglect, and many arrive with health problems. Our heartfelt commitment is to give each animal excellent care, tailored to their unique needs, throughout the remainder of their lives. Our dedicated keepers get to know each individual well and, as animals age, special medications and nutritional supplements are provided to ease the symptoms of arthritis, kidney disease and other age-related ailments.

End of life care is an inevitable part of our work, and we are committed to compassionate care for every animal. While it is never easy when an animal dies, we know that we have treated each one with love, respect, and compassion, and that we have given them an opportunity that few captive wild animals ever experience. . . the freedom to roam a large natural habitat, to feel grass beneath their feet, to nap under a shady tree, and the freedom to choose how, where, and with whom they wish to spend their days. Please join us in honoring and remembering three beloved animals who recently passed away.

Rufus

Canada lynx Rufus was born in May, 2005, on a fur farm in Canada. Spared from being killed for his fur, he and his female companion Misha were sent to live at the Storybook Gardens Zoo in London, Ontario, Canada where the two lived for several years. When the zoo decided to downsize, the lynx pair needed a new home. PAWS enthusiastically agreed to provide a permanent home to Rufua and Misha and they arrived at our Galt sanctuary in the summer of 2012.

Rufus was born with several deformed vertebrae in his spine, thought to be congenital defects resulting from generations of inbreeding in the fur industry. Because of this, his spinal cord was pinched in the middle of his back, causing weakness and partial paralysis of his rear legs. PAWS veterinarians shared X-ray images of his spine with veterinary neurologists at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who informed us that his condition was inoperable and would likely worsen over time. Knowing that there was no "fix" for his spinal problem, we focused on keeping him free of discomfort for as long as possible.

Rufus never let his disability affect his joy of life at PAWS. Galt sanctuary supervisor Larry constructed special walkways, ramps, and shelters that made it easier for him to move about, and Rufus took full advantage of these thoughtfully designed amenities. Rufus, with his unique gait, enjoyed walking along his enclosure fence line following Dr. Gai when she would come to check on him, and he would often chirp a special greeting. On sunny days, he had a favorite napping spot next to a big log in the soft grass. On cooler days, he could often be found snuggling with Misha in their cozy den.

As time went on, Rufus' neurological problems gradually worsened and he was finding it harder and harder to use his hind legs. Other symptoms related to his spinal deformity also made everyday activities extremely challenging. When it became clear that nothing could be done to improve his condition, the difficult but most compassionate decision was made to euthanize Rufus on January 30th to prevent future suffering. Rufus will always be remembered for his joy of life, his cheerful personality, and his inner strength.

Majesty

Majesty was one of 39 tigers rescued in 2004 from Tiger Rescue, a roadside zoo in Colton, California, that was shut down by authorities after it was discovered that animals were being abused and neglected. When he first arrived at ARK 2000, he was fearful and volatile, easily startled by sounds and nearby activity. In Colton, he had been kept in a small, barren enclosure without a private place to get away from the noisy chaos around him.

Majesty was given his very own living space at ARK 2000, with a comfortable and safe den box, a private place to eat, a pool, and access to a large, grassy habitat. Soon Majesty's anxiety seemed to melt away as he realized that, perhaps for the first time in his life, he could eat, sleep, and lounge in the grass without fear of attack from nearby tigers or teasing and harassment from people walking by.

Gradually, Majesty's unique personality began to emerge. While he seemed neutral towards neighboring tigers, having neither positive nor negative interactions with them, he was always friendly and even social towards the staff who cared for him. He greeted everyone with a happy "chuff" and always seemed to appreciate a visit.

Majesty succumbed to renal failure, an all too common disease of elderly cats both domestic and wild. Majesty was 21 years old at the time of his passing on January 26th. He will forever be remembered for his gentle soul, and his beautiful blue-green eyes.

Jay Logan

Jay Logan, like Majesty, was one of 39 tigers rescued by PAWS from Tiger Rescue. At the time of his rescue he was housed in a small, poorly constructed enclosure where he had to compete for food. Fighting amongst the tigers was common in Colton, and many tigers bear permanent scars from those battles.

Despite coming from this high stress situation, Jay Logan was deeply bonded with three big male tigers: Bo, Malabar, and Pat Jr. (a.k.a. Jon Jon). When these four tigers arrived at ARK 2000 they were kept together as a group. Now, instead of fighting for their meals, each tiger had his own den box where he could eat in privacy and peace. And for the first time in their lives, they had a huge tree-studded enclosure with tall grass and room to roam. Jay Logan, Bo, Malabar, and Pat Jr. enjoyed games of hide and seek and crashing through the thick brush to surprise each other.

Jay Logan was especially fond of the special items that PAWS keepers would give him to play with. He enjoyed rolling pumpkins around like balls, and even played with heads of lettuce. In December, cut pine trees are given to the tigers to smell, rub on, and play with. Jay Logan would pounce on his tree, drag it around, and dunk it in his pool, or stuff it into his den. Tiger supervisor Renae remembers him as both a playful character and the "wise older brother" of his group.

Keepers began to notice changes in Jay Logan's health this winter. A thorough, anesthetized physical examination was performed by PAWS' veterinarians, who discovered he was in advanced kidney failure. When his condition rapidly declined, and when it was apparent that he would not improve with treatment, the difficult but compassionate decision was made to euthanize him. Jay Logan passed from this life on February 15th, surrounded by those who loved and cared for him. We will always remember this impressive, handsome, and playful tiger. Jay Logan was estimated to be 20 years old at the time of his death.

PLEASE DONATE

In memory of Rufus, Majesty & Jay Logan

UPCOMING PAWS EVENTS

PAWS' 2017 "Elephant Grape Stomp:

An Afternoon In TUSKany" - Tickets On Sale

The 11th annual "Elephant Grape Stomp: An Afternoon In TUSKany" will take place on April 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m at ARK 2000 in San Andreas. As PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, once explained in her blog, Rumblings From PAWS, the idea for the PAWS "Grape Stomp" originated with the elephants themselves, who have a fondness for "everything grape."

When Pat and Ed were caring for the sickly young elephant, 71, Pat searched for fruits that 71 would eat. She came across an anecdote about a group of elephants in Africa who gorged themselves on a tree filled with overripe, fermented fruit, becoming a "riotous party of drunken elephants." Pat discovered that 71 would occasionally eat small amounts of a variety of fruits, but she devoured none of them as quickly as she did grapes. Soon, local vineyards began to donate their pruned vines to PAWS, which 71 and the other elephants ate like candy. As a celebration of elephants and their beloved grapes, the Grape Stomp fundraiser was created.

The highlight of this event is always the Ms./Mr. TUSKany contest where you get to vote for your favorite elephant, with the winner being "crowned" Ms. or Mr. TUSKany. The "crown" is actually a beautiful edible bouquet made of favorite elephant foods, and first and second runners-up get a tasty bouquet as well. (The other elephants each get a special treat later that day.) Previous winners include Lulu, Maggie, Nicholas and the late Wanda, with Maggie the toughest contender, winning three times.

Tickets for the Grape Stomp are $100 per person and include Tuscan cuisine (vegetarian and vegan) courtesy of Il Fornaio, wine tasting provided by more than a dozen of the California Gold Country's award-winning wineries (see list below), a silent auction to benefit the elephants, and shuttle service around the ARK 2000 sanctuary - allowing you to visit the lions, tigers, bears, leopard, and of course, the elephants. This is an adults-only event. The winner of the 2017 Ms./Mr. TUSKany Contest will be announced at 2 p.m.

Purchase your tickets today!

Click here to learn more about the Grape Stomp, and to buy your tickets and vote for your favorite elephant(s) online. You may also call our office at (209) 745-2606, M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST, to charge tickets and vote. Tickets are $100 each and must be purchased in advance of the event, "votes" are $5 each. Ticket sales and voting end on Thursday, April 13; tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

No grapes are actually stomped at the event!

As we go to press, area wineries that will be participating in this year's event include: Bodega del Sur, Black Sheep, Irish Family Vineyards, Ironstone, Michael David, Milliaire, Moody Ridge, Renner, Stevenot, Val du Vino, Vina Moda and Zucca Mountain.

Tickets Still Available for

March 11 ARK 2000 Open House

A limited number of tickets are still available for our upcoming ARK 2000 Open House to be held on Saturday, March 11th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for seniors (60 and over) and $25 for children age 12 and under. No tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event and these events do sell out.

Visitors to ARK 2000 open houses will board shuttles to the bear, lion, tiger, leopard and elephant habitats. Once you exit the shuttle you will be walking on grass, dirt, gravel, and sometimes paved surfaces, so please wear comfortable shoes. PAWS management, keepers and volunteers will be on hand to tell you about the animals and answer questions. A gift shop will be available on the day of the event. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards.

This event happens rain or shine. Tickets are not refundable.

Two ways to purchase: Click here to buy online and print your tickets at home; or call 209-745-2606, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, to charge by phone. Visit our calendar of events page for more information. Ticket sales close on Thursday, March 9th, or earlier if this event sells out.

THANK YOU!

February Amazon Wish List Donors

Carol Haft: one gallon Red Cell, one 10 lb. Psyllium, one Probiocin. Amy Alexander: one CosequinDS 132#. Patricia L. Connelly: one bag Missing Link Ultimate Equine Skin & Coat, two cases copy paper. Gary: one Emcelle Tocopherol (liquid Vitamin E). Patricia D. Cove: one 40 lb. box of oranges. Tricia Downey: one 40 lb. box of oranges. Shannon Sherwood: one Probiocin. Michele Smith: one CosequinDS,132#. Nancy Gordon: one 10 lb. Psyllium. Carrie E Gish: one 20 lb. Psyllium, one Duralactin, 180#, one Probiocin, one bag Blue Buffalo. Debra Frantz: one bag Blue Buffalo, one CosequinDS, 132#. June Banniser: one Renal Essentials, 60#. Julie Hartz (in memory Judi Reynolds): two Probiocin. Melissa Morgan: three Probiocin. Peggy Buckner: four Probiocin. Lauren Michaels: one CosequinDS, 132#. Anonymous Donors: one 5 lb. Missing Link Ultimate Equine Skin & Coat, one 10 lb. Psyllium.

VIEW OUR AMAZON WISH LIST

View wish list items that are needed,

but not listed on the Amazon list, here.

There are many ways you can help PAWS animals:


Adopt A PAWS Animal If you would like to help our animals, one of the best ways is to become an "adoptive parent," or give a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent! Learn more PAWS Amazon Wish List View here EBAY Giving Works List items on EBAY and choose PAWS as your charity. Donate a percentage of each sale to the animals. Visit our EBAY charity listing page here. Start selling! Corporate Donations and Matching Fund Programs Learn more about what is needed. Donate Your Vehicle To PAWS. Learn more	PAWS Partnerships Help us change the life of a victim of captivity by becoming a PAWS Partner. PAWS partnerships help support our sanctuary operations and the day-to-day care of the animals. Learn more FOR EVERYONE WHO SHOPS ONLINE! Shop through IGIVE and raise money for PAWS! Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS. Learn more PAWS is rated a 4-Star Charity	Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise. Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like coffee mugs - available from our online gift shop . Estates/Planned Giving You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have a PAWS sanctuary to call home! Learn more Donate To PAWS PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. Three ways to give and every donation matters. Learn more