November - December 2008

November 6, 2008 Kristina Brunner                                      11/06/08 To Leticia                            1 Greetings Letty: It is my understanding, from the Animal Sanctuary of the United States (dba Wild Animal Orphanage), Community Service Restitution workers are back at the WAO!  Has Adult Probation resumed sending CSR workers to this facility? Many thanks in advance - Kind Regards, Kristina  Leticia                                     11/07/08 To kbrunner@                 WAO (Animal Sanctuary) is not on our list for community service anymore.  You may want to check with Juvenile Probation maybe they are sending workers         there.  Let me know it this is not the case, please.         Letty

December 1, 2008

From: moondancer5@... 
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 1:07 PM
To: Collister, Brian
Subject: Story on the WAO

You just ran a story about a couger cub that was sent to the Wild Animal Orphanage here in San antonio.  I'm really sorry this poor animal was sent to the WAO, to be "taken care of."  This poor animal doesn't have a chance.  I'm also sorry that the WAO is getting more undeserved publicity.  I remember a story that Tanji Patton came out with, I was one of the people she spoke to, outlineing just a few of the problems this facility has.  What ever happened to that story??  I'm really sorry it didn't go any further.

They are under investigation by several agencies.  You can find a lot of info at resxano.org/wao.  I know for a fact that a lot of these charges are true, I worked there for long enough to realize how awful things are there, and decided that I couldn't work in a place that.  Remember the pits full of dead animals?  Too many animals "mysteriously" die and/or dissappear.  Please, if you run any more stories about the WAO, please make sure you put out all the facts.

To

moondancer5@satx.rr.com

You are awesome!  Thank you so much for writing this!!!  I'm hoping this will pique their interest again.  I spoke with the producer that used to work with Tanji and she said she will talk to management again about WAO so something like this does not happen again.  BTW...here is the link I found about the poor cougar.... http://www.sarveywildlife.org/Gallery.aspx?galleryname=The%20New%20Kid%20on%20the%20Block&galleryid=1830 This whole thing is truly heartbreaking....k

moondancer5@...

To

me

This is the reply I received.  Tanji is gone, but the producer who worked with her on the WAO story is still here.
I will forward your email to her, she may be working on a follow up.


Thanks,

Brian Collister
Investigative Reporter
News 4 Trouble Shooters
Ph# 210-476-1033

From: moondancer5@...
Subject: Re: Story on the WAO
To: kbrunner
Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 1:45 PM

I'm so bad.  I just called that organization and ask if they were the ones
that sent that poor baby to the "evil place."  I didn't say that
to them.  But I did give them an earfull, gave them the rexano.or website and
ask them to keep checking on the baby.   OHHHHH these idiots at the WAO piss me
off.  

To


moondancer5@...



















You go girl!!!  They needed to know the truth...something tells me based on the links I found on their site that they are fans of the WAO.  No doubt they are on the phone right with Carol asking all sorts of questions.  They made a terrible mistake sending a wild cougar to the WAO...she can't live with the other cougars because she is too wild and will try and escape--that is even if she survives because the other large cats will go after her right away once introduced to her new "home."  I saw first hand what happened to the new cougar arrivals from Florida and it was horrible watching the other cougars attack the newcomers.  Needless to say, I believe the Florida cougars are now dead.  






I just finished sending the KSAT producer information about the cougar as they might be interesting in pursuing this story a little further.  In any case, I sent them some documents from the Rexano site.  I sure hope she takes the time to go through all the stuff.  This is a really big story and for some reason everyone is afraid to stand up for the animals!



Thank you, Mary, for standing up for the animals -- you Rock!!!   k











From: Kristina Brunner  

Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 2:09 PM 

To: Shari StClair 

Subject: WAO - Cougar Story









Greetings Shari:










This is what I found on the cougar:







http://www.sarveywildlife.org/Gallery.aspx?galleryname=The%20New%20Kid%20on%20the%20Block&galleryid=1830







I'm thinking the animal was found in October because I learned they were trying to place her in early November.  I cannot imagine they released her from Sarvey Wildlife Center until after she was fed and treated for worms (close to a month of treatment time).  If this is a wild cougar, then I am really concerned for her welfare as she was never a "pet" like the cougars taken and placed into one large cougar cage at the WAO.  There used to be 23 cougars in 2005, now they only have approximately 15 cats. 










For more information regarding the young cougar I believe you can speak with (Jeff Guidry 360-435-4817) as he was the one coordinating the transfer of the cougar ...










In the meantime, the real story is all the WAO extremely ill and/or dead animals within a 2 year period -










Tag (tiger - dead 2008)



Tarzan (lion - dead 2008)



Princess (tiger - missing - presumed dead 2008)*



Athena (tiger - missing  - presumed dead 2008)*



Melia (tiger - dead 2007)



Jambo (lion - dead 2007)



Freckles (jaguar - dead 2007)



Sabu (lion - very ill --extremely thin 2008)



Bubba (tiger - very ill--extremely thin 2008)



Etc...many more including several types of primates







*both tigers missing from their enclosures which they shared with their cage mate(s) for years.







Latest OAG's CIDs:







http://rexano.org/WAO/CID%20-%20111607.pdf



http://rexano.org/WAO/CID%20-%20041608.pdf









The USDA/APHIS has been notified regarding Bubba and Sabu's condition as well as the condition of the other animals at the WAO.  The November 2008 video shows tigers with lots of skin hanging under the belly, and their spine and back bones protruding. 










The 2007 990 (tax return) is still not available and the IRS refuses to release the 2006 990 to the general public. 







I hope this information is useful -










Regards,







Kristina


























--- On Tue, 12/2/08, Shari StClair <sstclair@> wrote:

From: Shari StClair  

Subject: RE: WAO - Cougar Story 

To: kbrunner

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008, 12:48 PM 






Kristina, 









Based on what I’m seeing on the link, Carol didn’t lie when referring to the cougar’s background. 

What I will likely pitch to my boss will be getting info on the missing cats. 



I’ll let you know how that goes. 





Thanks again, 



Shari





Shari St Clair

Special Projects Producer

KSAT 12

(210) 351-1384




Kristina Brunner                                                               12/02/08 at 1:14 PM



To: Shari


 









  






Greetings Shari:



I agree, it does look like she told the truth about the cougar cub.  Thanks for pitching the real story -- all the missing animals from the touring property.



I've been trying to reach Dr. Gibbens at the USDA/APHIS for confirmation regarding Princess and Athena, but every time I call he is in a meeting.  If and when I finally speak with him, I'll let you know what he says about these two tigers.



Thanks for the pitching the story - in my opinion, the animals should not be forgotten -



Regards,



Kristina

















Kristina Brunner 



To:  Chris 

















Turns out not only was he in pain from his hips, but he is also sufffering from in-grown toenails which causes him pain when he walks!  USDA/APHIS inspected the WAO this week and while they will not comment on what they saw, and cannot comment on what happened to Princess, we were encouraged (more than once) to pull the inspection report.  Guess I have another FOIA request to make.



In the meantime, the animal community has been informed of the situation and everyone wants to help Bubba survive.  I just cannot allow him to disappear too. 

WAO will do right by this animal (as well as all the others)!!!!



Hope you and yours are doing great!



Your best buddy - k 


























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--- On Fri, 12/12/08, Chris Bunnell <cmbunnell@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Chris Bunnell <cmbunnell@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: OPERATION SAVE "BUBBA" - WAO White Tiger
To: "Kristina Brunner" <kbrunner@prodigy.net>
Date: Friday, December 12, 2008, 1:54 PM




wow!......you know, i don't know much about animals, but that tiger sure does look uncomfortable tring to sit down.

c-


On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 4:54 PM, Kristina Brunner <kbrunner@prodigy.net> wrote:




Greetings Everyone!



Please check out the link below - the Rexano.org website was most kind to give Bubba his own web page!  As we receive details on Bubba's condition and Princess' whereabouts, we will be sure to pass the information on to you!  In the meantime, please cross post this story to ensure maximum coverage.  If you wouldn't mind, please copy/paste into new email before posting, so as not to include my e-mail information!



Many thanks and please pray for Bubba,



Kris







http://www.rexano.org/WAO_Bubba.htm





OPERATION SAVE "BUBBA" - WAO White Tiger


This video clip was taken at the Wild Animal Orphanage, San Antonio, TX on November 24, 2008. Bubba arrived at the WAO in April 2005 along with several other animals to include 8 servals (to which there is only one left at the facility). The WAO sent out newsletter appeals in 2005-06 requesting funds so as to build Bubba a "specially designed, large natural area, with low shelter areas and large natural pool." (See newsletters for details) Needless to say, the cage was never built. His cage mate, Princess, disappeared in 2008 and is presumed dead. Bubba now lives alone.

Bubba was also promised a special diet and medication to treat any pain resulting from his degenerative joint disease in his hips. According to the WAO vet in 2006, Bubba should be able to live a near normal lifespan. (see tiger medical report) It's hard to believe that the tiger in the video is only about 8 years old!

It is our understanding Bubba is now under veterinarian care and we hope and pray he recovers fully. In the meantime, Bubba is still waiting for his promised new enclosure. So the question remains, when will the WAO keep its promises to the Bubba?



Back to main WAO page


























Kristina Brunner



To: Z






















Wow!  Bubba has his own page!!!  You are too awesome...many, many thanks!  I think I'm getting a little emotional over here. 



There was only one little glitch I noticed -- Bubba's video did not work and there is a big white box at the top of the screen (probably reserved for the video?).  All other links worked fine! 






Update for you:  I contacted the USDA/APHIS and asked the director if Bubba was given hay/mulch.  I got the feeling based on his response, the AWA does not require mulch or hay in his enclosure, so I don't think Bubba had much protection from the elements these last few days.  The Director could only tell me that Bubba's enclosure met AWA requirements.   I was encouraged, though,  to pull the Inspection Report.  I have a feeling there is something in the report he wants me to see.  He didn't comment on Princess either, but again, I have a feeling its all in the report. I'll keep you posted on Bubba's progress.  Also check out the teaser line from the San Antonio Lightning (http://sanantoniolightning.com/).  Editor couldn't say when the story will come out - probably next week...I'll keep you posted on this one too.






Again, many, many thanks for helping me keep Bubba alive.  I don't want this tiger to disappear like Princess.   k