In December of 2012, Mrs. Audrey Steele Burnand and family surprised us with an extraordinary and generous donation that enabled us to build a new enclosure for black leopard Alexander at ARK 2000. Mrs. Burnand's daughter Alyson Rossi, son-in-law Cecil Rossi, her granddaughter Kristin Stewart and Kristin's husband Mike, made a special trip to ARK 2000 to present Mrs. Burnand's check to PAWS co-founder Ed Stewart. Moving Alexander from our Galt sanctuary to San Andreas was a dream of PAWS co-founder Pat Derby, and she was able to hear the construction of his spacious new habitat from her bed before she passed away last February.

Alexander's new enclosure is situated on a hill overlooking the African elephant habitat. Like all leopards, Alex enjoys being up high, and this beautiful new habitat is well-designed for this. When a large tree fell on a remote part of ARK 2000 during a storm last year, we used some of its massive branches to build a ramp leading to the top of a tall platform where Alexander is often seen lounging as he surveys the scene from tree level. 

Recent rains have encouraged the grass to grow again, and Alex now enjoys crouching and hiding in it, then suddenly bounding out to surprise staff as they bring him breakfast. The hilly terrain has provided another benefit besides its commanding view - Alexander has strengthened and toned his muscles as he climbs and jumps.

With heartfelt appreciation, we once again thank Mrs. Burnand for her incredible donation and all of the wonderful things it has made possible for Alexander. We also remember and thank her family members who were at ARK 2000 to welcome Alexander to his new home when he arrived from Galt last May (view arrival story and video here; view new video of Alexander below).

ALEXANDER | Black Leopard

Click here to adopt Alexander.

Scientific American just released a fascinating article on elephant intelligence, "The Science Is In: Elephants Are Even Smarter Than We Realized," which describes the exceptional cognitive capabilities of elephants, such as empathy, a sense of self, cooperative problem solving, and mourning their dead. But more importantly, it questions how we can justify keeping these very complex beings in captivity.

PAWS president, Ed Stewart, weighs in on the issue, stating: "Elephants should not be in captivity - period. It doesn't matter if it's a zoo, a circus or a sanctuary. The social structure isn't correct, the space is not right, the climate is not right, the food is not right. You can never do enough to match the wild. They are unbelievably intelligent. With all of that brainpower - to be as limited as they are in captivity - it's a wonder they cope at all. In 20 years I hope we will look back and think, 'Can you believe we ever kept those animals in cages?'"

Ed is joined by internationally recognized scientists who believe in phasing out the confinement of elephants, including preeminent elephant researcher Cynthia Moss, director of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.

While this article is on target in its overall discussion of elephant intelligence and the ways captivity harms elephants, it should be noted that it incorrectly suggests that most elephants in zoos were captive-born. This is not the case. The great majority of captive elephants were abducted from their families in the wild at young ages to be put on display in zoos and circuses. 

  

In Memoriam: Tiger Ray Charles

PAWS is saddened to report the passing of Ray Charles, one of 39 tigers rescued from deplorable conditions of abuse and neglect from a facility in Colton, California. These were the last of more than 50 big cats needing emergency placement after the defunct "Tiger Rescue" pseudo-sanctuary was closed down by authorities in 2003. Over 90 dead animals were found on the property, included dozens of tiger carcasses on the ground and 58 dead tiger and leopard cubs in freezers. Many of the living tigers were covered with wounds and in poor health. Two African lions, 11 leopards, two alligators, as well as numerous fallow deer and chickens were also rescued and found suitable homes at sanctuaries around  the country. The owner of "Tiger Rescue" was eventually found guilty of 56 felony counts and sentenced to two years in prison, five years of probation, and could never again possess animals, care for, or volunteer for, any place with animals.

To move them to PAWS, each tiger was coaxed into a spacious transport cage filled with a thick bed of straw. Each cage was loaded into an enclosed trailer, and groups of six to eight tigers at a time were transported to ARK 2000. Ray Charles was the very first tiger to enter a transport cage, on the first day of the first trip. PAWS' veterinarian, Dr. Jackie Gai, recalls vividly that day back in 2004: "All of the major media outlets were there to cover this historic rescue. Ray was the first to step into a cage, enticed by the comfortable bedding (something he had probably never had before) and the scent of a piece of meat. Once safely inside the transport cage, he slept peacefully through most of the trip north to ARK 2000."

Handsome, dignified and stoic,  Ray Charles will be missed by all.

Ray was special in many ways. The first thing that we noticed about him was that he had crossed eyes and appeared to have poor eyesight. After allowing him several weeks to settle into his new home, Dr. Gai enlisted the help of ophthalmologists from the University of California, Davis (UCD), School of Veterinary Medicine, to perform a thorough examination of his eyes. He was diagnosed with a congenital birth defect, commonly seen in inbred cats, which affects the muscles behind the eyes and causes them to cross. He was also diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, further compromising his eyesight. Crossed eyes are a common consequence of irresponsible inbreeding of cats, and occurs when people breed closely related tigers to enhance gene expression or to produce white tigers.

Ray thrived during his 10 years at PAWS, exploring his large habitat, lounging in the tall grass and swimming in his pool. Over the years he has enjoyed the companionship of several other tigers, most recently Amelia - another Colton tiger. Ray succumbed to renal failure at the estimated age of 20 years old. Since none of the tigers from this group came with any sort of medical record, their exact ages are unknown, so he may have been even older. Amelia has moved to a nearby enclosure, so that she can be close to Jake, Apollo and Zeus, and she seems to enjoy their company. Handsome, dignified and stoic, Ray Charles will be missed by all.

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Rhode Island is again proposing legislation to prohibit the inhumane treatment of elephants by banning the use of bullhooks and the prolonged chaining of elephants in circuses and traveling shows. PAWS testified in Rhode Island last year in support of this key bill, and we will be there again this year, and every year that this legislation is proposed, until this critical bill is passed.  

Elephants in circuses and traveling shows are controlled through cruel practices that include use of the bullhook and chaining. Handlers use the bullhook, a steel-spiked rod similar to a fireplace poker, to dominate and control elephants through pain and fear. The bullhook is used to prod, hook and strike elephants so they comply with every command.

Chaining virtually immobilizes elephants, resulting in painful foot and joint disorders and abnormal repetitive swaying and rocking. In circuses, elephants are chained for at least 17 hours a day - and far longer when transported across the country in crowded train cars and semi-trailer trucks.

PAWS thanks Reps. Raymond Gallison and Patricia Serpa (RI House), and Sens. Archambault and Ruggiero (RI Senate) for introducing this important legislation that would better protect elephants and safeguard the public.

Stay tuned for more information on how Rhode Island residents can help ensure this bill is passed.

More news on legislation to ban bullhooks:

More Countries Destroy Ivory Stockpiles

The Republic of Chad in Africa burned 1.1 tons of ivory in February to combat the rampant elephant poaching that has decimated the country's once thriving elephant population. Fifty years ago, 50,000 elephants roamed the country. Today there are an estimated 1,500. 

France became the first European country to destroy its stockpile of illegal ivory when it crushed three tonnes of ivory at a location near the Eiffel Tower.

Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete announced that the country would destroy its 90 metric tonne stockpile of ivory, valued at about $50 million. The country has also launched an anti-poaching campaign. This is a key move by Tanzania which had previously sought to sell its stockpile. 

New U.S. Policy Will Ban

Most Commercial Trade Of Elephant Ivory

The U.S. Government has announced it will ban the commercial trade of elephant ivory by prohibiting its import, export and resale within the U.S., with some exceptions. The new measures will: 

• Ban the import of antique African elephant ivory (other ivory imports are already banned)
• Ban the export of all African elephant ivory, except antiques
• Ban the resale of elephant ivory across state lines, except antiques
• Prohibit antique ivory sales within states unless the seller can show an item was lawfully imported before 1990 for African elephants and 1975 for Asian elephants 

Items must be more than 100 years old to qualify as an antique and meet other requirements under the Endangered Species Act, criteria that sellers will have to demonstrate. For example, if an ivory item was imported before 1990, the seller will need to produce export permits from the country of origin and a U.S. import permit.

PAWS applauds this new policy, however, unscrupulous people will find ways to falsify documentation and to pass off new ivory as antique. Ivory items may be labeled as having come from other animals, such as walrus, sperm whale, narwhal, hippo teeth, warthog, and boar, or even extinct mammoths dug up from the frozen tundra in Alaska and Siberia. Sellers now bear the burden of proof for antique items, enforcement is still a concern. For these reasons, PAWS will continue to support a total ban on the sale of ivory. 

PAWS Supports Critical Legislation

To Combat Ivory Sales

Good News For Performing Animals

Another city has adopted a ban on performing animals. The Mexican city of Culiacán is the latest international municipality to ban the use of performing animals in circuses. PETA reports that in recent months Mexico's Legislative Assembly of the Federal District approved a bill prohibiting animals in circuses in Mexico City, and the Congress of the state of Querétaro did the same, as did the municipality of Naucalpan.