Galt Sanctuary Animals - 27 Years!

The original sanctuary in Galt is fraught with fond memories of beloved friends and a reminder that many of the residents are approaching their Golden Years.

Galt sanctuary tigers Roy and Claire.

As we move through the jungle of shrubs, flowers and trees planted many years ago, the chatter of the Marx Brothers (really two brothers and a sister) and Jacques and Ella, the Capuchin monkeys, greets us. The monkeys are quite old, but still active and alert, climbing on branches and greedily harvesting bamboo which grows into their enclosure. They have all lived at the Galt facility for more than 15 years, after spending their youth as personal pets, incarcerated in broom closets and tiny cages.

Samantha

Alexander, the magnificent black leopard, once a pet chained to a tree, watches from his tall perch under the old plum tree, one of only three trees when we purchased the 30-acre property. We were in a frenzy of planting trees when the facility was new, hoping to create a natural environment at the old dairy. It is a jungle now providing shade for the residents and a lush habitat for the myriad of wild birds who construct nests perched precariously above lions, tigers and the ever-watchful Alexander. Alexander will soon be moving to ARK 2000.

The tiger cubs, Roy, Kim and Claire, have matured from cuddly cubs, but continue to chuff and rub, calling as I approach and running to their swimming pool for a brief conversation as I pass them. Hopefully, they and Nelson will soon join the Colton tigers at ARK 2000.

Sweet Gracie, the Bengal tiger rescued 11 years ago, arrived with medical problems and has special needs, so the construction of a habitat at ARK for her will be challenging.

Paka

Samantha, the remaining mountain lion, Robert, the bobcat, Paka, the serval and Denny and Pfeiffer, the African lions, are all doing well and enjoying the trees, grass and sun despite their advancing age. Arthur, Jack, Oma, Sampson and Cinnamon, the black bears, will be moving to the beautifully forested Bob Barker Bear Habitat at ARK 2000 within the next few months, joining Boo-Boo and Winston.

Galt is a haven of treasured memories and senior residents enjoying their Golden years, oblivious to the passing of time.

Sosha came to PAWS in 1995 and was among our first rescues. He was one of the sweetest animals at the Galt facility, vocalizing and purring whenever anyone approached. (Mountain lions, Bobcats and Cheetahs are the only species of large cats that actually purr.)

Sosha made us all smile with his incessant chatter and high pitched greeting which sounded like he was saying, "Hi." The loss of this dear friend leaves a huge void at the  
original sanctuary. We pass his empty enclosure with sadness, but we are happy that he had many years of peace lying on the grass under his huge Pin Oak tree, purring and chirping at the sun, the flowers, the birds, the cows next door and anyone who walked down the pathway. His capacity for enjoying his environment was a joy to watch, and an inspiration to all of us.

Rest in peace sweet Sosha.

Pack Their Trunks!

"Celebrating Elephants"

Reception, Lecture, & Silent Auction

Saturday, May 21^st, 6-9 p.m.

Winnie Kiiru, research associate with the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, is the special guest lecturer at the Oakland Zoo's "Celebrating Elephants" event on Saturday, May 21.

You are cordially invited to join the Oakland Zoo for an evening of "Celebrating Elephants" on Saturday, May 21st, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event begins with the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and drink while you peruse the many wonderful silent auction items.

Winnie Kiiru, research associate with the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, is the honored guest for the evening and will present, "Living with Elephants: Conflict and Co-existence around Amboseli National Park in Kenya, East Africa."

Amboseli National Park hosts one of the most famous herds of wild elephants in the world. About 1,500 elephants utilize the park and the surrounding community lands. This presentation will highlight some of the challenges faced by communities that share land with elephants and some of the measures that have been taken to promote co-existence between people and elephants. 

This event will be held in the Oakland Zoo's Marian Zimmer Auditorium, 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland. The zoo is requesting a minimum donation of $20 per person. All proceeds from the evening event will benefit the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. For more information on the event, visit the Oakland Zoo's website at www.oaklandzoo.org, or call (510) 632-9525.

Visitors From The Elephant Sanctuary

"Water For Elephants"

A Sacramento movie critic commenting on this movie stated that it made him want to have an elephant for a pet. A fitting critique of this film which promotes sympathy for circuses and romanticizes the performance of one particular elephant.

Sadly, the elephant who portrays Rosie has no choice when she is loaded into a truck and driven to a film set, despite the assertions of cast and crew that "she loves performing." If given the choice, her preference for working on a film set to living in a large habitat with other elephants is dubious.

She has earned huge sums of money for her owners with little benefit for her life. If you care about elephants, don't support films that exploit them.

"Born To Be Wild 3D"

A "Must See" For Animal Lovers! 

"Born to be Wild 3D" is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them--saving endangered species one life at a time.

Stunningly captured in IMAX 3D, "Born to be Wild 3D" is a heartwarming adventure transporting moviegoers into the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Birut� Mary Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan savannah with celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne Sheldrick, as they and their teams rescue, rehabilitate and return these incredible animals back to the wild.

This film documentary, narrated by Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman, is a wonderful alternative to "Water For Elephants." For more information, click here.