PAWS Says Goodbye To Sheba

It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Sheba, an African lion. Born in a breeding facility in 1993, she and her brother were sold as "pets" to a man who kept them in his private home in Detroit. When the male lion became too difficult for their owner to handle he was euthanized. Being an inherently dangerous wild animal, Sheba also became increasingly difficult to handle and her owner surrendered her to the Michigan Humane Society. When the Humane Society contacted PAWS cofounders Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, we quickly agreed to provide her with a forever home.

Sheba lived at PAWS' Galt sanctuary for 15 years, where she was finally able to be herself and express normal lion behavior. Once at PAWS, Sheba received a healthy and complete diet and much needed veterinary care. During a routine physical examination it was discovered that Sheba had been declawed on all four paws sometime in the past. Declawing big cats often leaves these majestic animals crippled or in pain for the rest of their lives. Sheba's paws were definitely affected by this surgery, causing her to walk on the tips of her toes. Fortunately, she always had access to soft soil and grass to walk on, and this helped reduce the pressure on her damaged paws.

Sheba was later moved to a much larger habitat at PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary, where she lived next door to lioness Camba and the other rescued Bolivian circus lions. Watching Sheba's first steps into her spacious new habitat was an emotional experience for Pat and Ed, as they had always dreamed of a large habitat and companions for this special lion.

Sheba was fond of Pat and Ed, but was not especially enamored of anyone else. At

Sheba would sometimes roll over on her back and make a low "cooing" sound.

PAWS, animals are completely free to express their wild natures, and they are not required or expected to interact with people. Big cat supervisor Renae Smith recalled meeting Sheba over eight years ago in Galt when she was a new keeper. Sheba seemed calm when Renae would rake leaves outside her habitat fence, and would sometimes even roll over on her back and make a low, "cooing" sound. Sheba maintained this trusting demeanor after her move to ARK 2000, which made it very easy for Renae to administer the medications Sheba needed.

Sheba's mobility gradually decreased over the past two years, but she still enjoyed exploring her grassy habitat. Her favorite spot was resting under a large oak tree where she could look out over the other lion habitats, and where she could watch birds, squirrels, and turkeys pass by. Ed built a dirt pathway and ramp which made it easier for her to walk up and down the hill from her den to her tree. She received a variety of arthritis medications daily, hidden in pieces of her favorite treats.

In late April, Sheba's condition began to decline. Her appetite began to wane, and she was having greater difficulty walking. Medications were adjusted, but ultimately nothing could stop the progression of her symptoms. On May 4th, the difficult but compassionate decision was made to euthanize her. Sheba passed from this life at age 23 - a long life for a lion - surrounded by those who loved her.

A necropsy performed by veterinary pathologists at U.C. Davis revealed that in addition to arthritis, Sheba also had cancer in her kidney, adrenal gland, and lungs.

This magnificent lioness will be truly missed by all who were fortunate enough to meet and care for her.

DONATE IN MEMORY OF SHEBA

To learn more facts about the declawing of house cats

and big cats visit The Paw Project's website here.

At the Senate Safety Committee hearing, left to right: Ed Stewart, PAWS' president and cofounder; Gina Kinzley, Oakland Zoo lead elephant keeper; Jennifer Fearing, president of Fearless Advocacy, Inc.; Catherine Doyle, PAWS' director of science, research and advocacy; Joel Parrott, DVM, president and CEO, Oakland Zoo.

PAWS Battles to Ban the Bullhook

in California - Wins First Vote!

PAWS is one of the key sponsors of SB 716, the California bill introduced by Senator Ricardo Lara that would end the use of bullhooks and similar devices in the state. We are thrilled to report that the bill was passed in the Senate, by a vote of 29 to 7. It now moves to the Assembly.

The bullhook is a weapon resembling a fireplace poker, with a sharpened steel tip and hook at the end. It is commonly used in circuses, rides and other "entertainment" to dominate and control elephants through pain and fear. Elephants are taught at a young age to associate the bullhook with pain by using it to forcefully prod, hook and strike the animals on sensitive parts of their bodies, sometimes causing wounds and lacerations. This inhumane training continues throughout their lives.

PAWS has been working hard to pass this measure, as it is critical to protecting captive elephants from harm. In addition to keeping our California members active with calling and emailing their state senators, PAWS President Ed Stewart testified before the Senate Public Safety Committee in April, urging senators to vote in favor of SB 716. The bill passed on a 5-2 vote.

Leading up to the vote, Ed Stewart, PAWS Director of Science, Research and Advocacy Catherine Doyle and PAWS Publications Editor Debbie Casey joined Jennifer Fearing of Fearless Advocacy, Inc., to walk the halls of the State Capitol, meeting with senators' staff and educating them about why the bullhook must be prohibited. We then met with Oakland Zoo General Curator Colleen Kinzley and Lead Elephant Keeper Gina Kinzley for a second day of meetings. It was encouraging to hear that the senators had received numerous phone calls and emails in support of SB 716. Thank you to everyone who took action!

Now we begin our efforts to pass the bullhook bill in the California Assembly, and with the help of California residents we will free elephants in California from a life of pain and fear.

Stay tuned for more information on how you can help!

For information about California's legislative process and how an idea becomes a bill click here. To view a list of supporters of SB 716 click here.

Myth #2: The bullhook is essential to caring for elephants.

Myth #3: Prohibiting bullhoook use would put keepers and veterinarians at risk.

Myth #4: Routine husbandry procedures can be performed safely and stress-free using the bullhook.

Myth #5: The bullhook is similar to a leash on a dog, or reins for a horse.

And we couldn't leave out this one:

Myth: Without the bullhook, elephants will go extinct.