Born Free USA In The News
Move Could Doom Beaver
As names go, the Stanton drain is pretty unimpressive, evoking a rusty sewer pipe spewing effluent. The reality is far different — it’s at the center of a dispute between environmentalists and city hall, as well as the focus of a project on which the city and developers have already spent $11 million. The controversy was on display this weekend as about 30 people hiked along an abandoned rail right-of-way north of Gainsborough Road in Hyde Park to see first-hand city plans that would destroy what the drain has become: home to two beaver, with wild flowers and bushes along the waterway’s edges to complement the deer and birds in a nearby woodlot.
Link: LFPress.com
Better Late Than Never for Minnesota Dolphins
I was intrigued by the Minnesota Zoo's recent announcement that it is discontinuing its captive dolphin exhibit. More than a decade ago we expressed concern about the zoo's acquisition of two dolphins from South Africa. In our letter we asked the zoo to instead consider phasing out the captive dolphin display.
We are thrilled to see that the zoo may finally be heeding our advice. Better late than never.
Link: Huffington Post
Nolan Ryan Knows All About (Snow) Monkey Business
Once the dust stirred up by the truck tires settles in the compound, just about the only thing still moving in the heat is a beautiful seal-point Siamese cat, languidly padding out to welcome me to the Born Free Primate Sanctuary, located some 90 miles south of San Antonio in the heart of the desolate South Texas brush country. I'm not sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. This isn't the way it was when Nolan Ryan, representing the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, arrived here back in the late '90s.
Link: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Abused Monkey Moved to Born Free's Sanctuary
Freeman is a long-tailed macaque born in captivity. The 10-year-old monkey spent his entire life in a small cage. Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Dilley, TX, rescued the monkey from Midland, MI. Freeman's owners reportedly forced him to inhale marijuana, drink alcohol and eat dog food.
Link: kens5.com
Gabon Torches Tusks, Ivory to Keep out of Smugglers' Hands
The Central African nation of Gabon on Wednesday burned all the elephant tusks and ivory ornaments it had in its stockpile — an amount equivalent to 850 elephants — so that smugglers, via corrupt government officials, won't get their hands on the black market commodities treasured in China and other parts of Asia.
Link: msnbc.com
Cee Lo Takes Heat for Plans to Have Cockatoo on TV Show
Cee Lo is taking some serious heat over plans to rock out with his cockatoo out on the upcoming season of "The Voice" ... over concerns that stress from the show could cause the bird to self-mutilate.
Link: TMZ.com
New NY Bill Attacks Exotic Animal Owners
A new bill passed by the Assembly and Senate today would increase the restrictions and punishments concerning exotic animal owners in New York State. Owners would not be penalized with a fine for the intentional or negligent release of exotic animals and are required to report the release to law enforcement immediately. Adam Roberts, an exotic animals expert for the animal advocacy group Born Free USA, said mistreatment of animals and danger to the public are both at play.
Link: NYDailyNews.com
'Pet' Monkey Finds a New Home in Texas (VIDEO)
A pet monkey that endured years of heartbreaking cruelty has finally found a loving home at a primate sanctuary in Dilley, Texas. Officials at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary said the long-tailed macaque was never let out of his small cage to exercise in the 10 years he lived with his former owner in Michigan. The former owners even allegedly got JR high on marijuana and drunk off booze.
Link: Kens5.com
