Lions and tigers and bears, oh my that’s cute
A Georgia rescue center has an unlikely trio of animal buddies.
Leo the lion, Shere Kahn the tiger and Baloo the bear share a home a the park thanks to their unlikely upbringing. The three animals, kept as pets by drug barons, were seized during a raid in Atlanta eight years ago when they were still cubs.
Shere Kahn, Leo and Baloo enjoy their new home at Noah's Ark
When they were turned over to the Noah’s Ark Rescue Center in Locust Grove, Ga., the decision was made to keep them together. Raised by the zoo’s founders, the three get along like siblings. Now that they have a new public enclosure, visitors can see the three eating, sleeping and playing together.
Enjoy the photos, courtesy of the Noah’s Ark Facebook fan page for the trio, which you can find here.
Leo and Shere Kahn play as cubs Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark
The three animl buddies play as cubs
Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Another health insurance option available
Another health insurance option for pets in Oklahoma is available.
Purina offers two easy-to-use, comprehensive plans designed to help pet owners provide a lifetime of care for dogs and cats. Purina estimates there are about 1.9 million cats and dogs in Oklahoma.
“People love their pets like a member of the family and we believe no pet owner should be forced to let their wallets dictate the appropriate care when their dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness,” PurinaCare chief executive and veterinarian David Goodnight said in press release. “PurinaCare helps give pet owners peace of mind that their beloved dog or cat is protected and will have access to high-quality care in the event any unforeseen issues arise.”
For more information about PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance, go to www.purinacare.com.
— Staff Writer Brian Sargent
Scary car thief
A Coloardo couple recently got a surprise when their car alarm started going off at 2 a.m.
They could see someone moving around inside their car from their window, so they called sheriff’s deputies. When authorities arrived the thief was discovered — a young bear somehow found its way into the car.
After snapping a couple of photos, deputies opened the door and the bear took off, but not before he managed to cause significant damage to the car’s interior. Apparently this isn’t an uncommon problem. People who leave food in their cars when bears are about run the risk of bear-related damage.
Fortunately, damage is repairable. I can only imagine the heart attack I’d get if I walked out to my car at night to find a bear inside.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Cute overdose
I can’t think of a better way to end the week than a 3-minute video of a begle puppy wrasslin with a rottweiler. So here you go.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Seven amazing dogs
One of my favorite Web sites is Cracked, a comedy site known for posting various lists with a high level of snark and profanity.
They recently posted this gem, on seven dogs that accomplished more than we ever will. Be warned of the aforementioned profanity, and enjoy reading about some amazing canines.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Look at that hair!
Photo provided by Audubon Zoo
New Orleans’ Audubon Zoo released pictures this week of Menari, a female orangutan born at the zoo July 10.
Menari is being hand-raised, and is the first orangutan born at the zoo since 1996. She is a Sumatran orangutan, which is the rarer of the two orangutan species. The slightly lager Bornean orangutan is listed as endangered, while the Sumatran orangutan is listed as critically endangered.
Less than 8,000 Sumatran orangutans are believed to survive in the wild, and they are all found in rainforests on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Looking at little Menari, it’s hard to fathom how we could let such cute creatures disappear from our planet.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Tiny horse big on cute
Meet Koda, the smallest horse I’ve ever seen.
Koda is an American miniature horse, a breed that is meant to be tiny. But even for the breed, Koda is small. He was diagnosed as a dwarf, being only the size of a typical house cat. What he lacks in size, Koda makes up for in sure hugability. He is, not surprisingly, often confused for a stuffed toy by people who are astonished at his size.
Koda stuggled early in life with some health problems because of his small stature, but he is reportedly feeling better now. Vets have performed several surgeries on his legs, and he also has issues with his face.
I picture Koda wearing a tiny saddle, with a hamster riding him.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Animal cruelty investigated at chain pet store
Authorities have filed cruelty charges against an Akron pet store employee after she allegedly posted photos of herself on her Facebook page smiling while holding two rabbits she drowned in the store’s back room. (Warning: link contains photo which could be disturbing to some viewers.)
Elizabeth Carlisle was fired from her job at a Petland store in Akron, Ohio, after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals found photos posted on her Facebook page showing Carlisle holding two dead, wet bunnies by the scruff of the neck.
According to PETA, Carlisle commented that a store manager took the photo after Carlisle drowned the bunnies while swearing at them to “hurry up and die.”
Carlisle’s other comments indicate the rabbits were killed to end their suffering, caused primarily by their care at the store. The rabbits were apparently allowed to “attack” and “eat” each other and suffered deep wounds. One had an eye missing, according to comments posted with the photo.
After the photos surfaced, Petland revoked the store owner’s franchise and removed all its animals from the store, which was located inside an Akron mall. Police are still investigating the incident but Carlisle has been charged and will appear in court Aug. 17.
As I’ve mentioned in this blog before, my girlfriend has a small pet business. She sells parakeets, cockatiels, a few other birds, snakes and other reptiles, hamsters, bunnies and whatever other small animals she is into at the moment.
Most of the animals live in a spare bedroom in our home, including the rabbits. They can be a lot to handle. Proper care requires you don’t overcrowd them. With a large number of bunnies, you have to clean the cages daily. It can be a lot of work, but it’s not optional. One of the things my girlfriend and I have discussed is the responsibility that comes with keeping pets. Having as many animals as we do brings with it the work that goes into caring for them.
As anyone who keeps pets must learn at some point, animals don’t live forever. A house bunny typically lives 8 or 9 years if properly cared for, and some can live as long as 13 or 14 years. When you are dealing with large numbers of pets, some won’t make it that long. It’s only natural. But there is no excuse for the kinds of conditions described in this case.
Drowning or otherwise killing animals because you don’t want to do the work that comes with keeping them is cruel and inhumane. If anyone should understand this, it should be those who work with animals on a daily basis. I can only hope justice is truly served in this case.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
ASPCA responds to Vick news
ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres issued this statement late last night about Michael Vick’s reinstatement to the NFL:
“Leaders are challenged to make difficult decisions on a daily basis–often under intense scrutiny and pressure,” said Sayres. “Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decisions surrounding the Michael Vick case are no exception. While his decision to reinstate Mr. Vick undoubtedly will be met with cheers by some and derision by others, it is clear that the Commissioner has been particularly thoughtful and has weighed every factor in his deliberations. The ASPCA can only offer him our gratitude for the gravity to which he has lent the issue of animal cruelty, as well as the provisions that the Commissioner has set forth to ensure that Mr. Vick has a positive impact on the NFL and his community.
“Opportunities for redemption are rare—but that is exactly the opportunity that awaits Mr. Vick. We hope that he rises to the occasion and proves worthy of the rare second chance Commissioner Goodell has granted him.”
Read Sayer’s entire statement here.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Chainsaw vs. Mountain Lion
The last time I wrote about a cougar, it was being cornered by a trio of chihuahuas.
Here’s another one about an unfortunate mountain lion that decided to attack a man wielding a chainsaw.
Dustin Britton, a 32 year old Colorado man, was camping with his family in Wyoming. Britton, an ex-Marine, said he was cutting firewood with a chainsaw about 100 yards from his campsite when he spotted the cougar.
Britton backed away and revved the motor of the chainsaw, hoping it would scare the 100-pound cat away, but instead the cougar charged him. The lion ran straight into the chainsaw, batted Britton with its paws and then ran away.
Wildlife agents later killed the lion when it attacked a dog brought in to track it. They discovered Britton’s chainsaw left a six to eight inch gash on the lion’s shoulder.
The cat was in poor physical condition and appeared to be starving, according to state officials. Mountain lion attacks are rare, and officials are trying to determine why the cougar acted so aggressively.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
