Captive Wildlife Advocacy
Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"
| Captive Wildlife Issues | Cats | Circuses | Elephants | Exhibitors | Wildlife (not captive) | Zoos |
Captive Wildlife Issues
The USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service, Animal Care Division is responsible for regulation of all commercial breeders, dealers, exhibitors, handlers and transporters of captive wild animals in this country. This includes zoos, circuses, private individuals engaged in display or breeding of wildlife, land and air transport and entities engaged in public exhibition of wild animals.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for captive endangered species through captive wildlife breeding permits and is responsible for all wildlife in this country including endangered species. They handle all permits for endangered species transported in and out of this country and now through the Lacey Act are responsible for interstate transportation of large cats and primates.
State Wildlife Agencies in many states have authority over captive wildlife and always have authority over wildlife issues.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is responsible for all transactions concerning endangered or threatened species internationally that may transfer between this country and any others.
Wild animals cannot be tamed, only trained to obey commands. They will always remain wild and dangerous.
Safety of these animals in captivity is a paramount concern as is the issue of public safety when wild animals are displayed or held in neighborhoods or community areas. Animals suffer and die in captivity daily. Trainers die from fatal animal attacks. Members of the public die during performance situations, rides, picture sessions or handling exhibitions. Private individual owners die thinking they can enter cages and interact with these animals. Unsuspecting members of the public die from diseases transferred from captive wildlife to human hosts and visa-versa. Tuberculosis, monkeypox and hepatitis are but a few examples of these.
Animals in captivity suffer from related stress leading to psychological problems such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and stereotypies. Enclosures are small and barren, containing no reality with fake rocks, fake trees and fake substrates. While visually pleasing, cages and enclosures bear no resemblance to the natural environments these animals rely upon for existence. This artificial environment causes animals to exhibit aberrant behaviors such as swaying and rocking or lethargy from sheer boredom and lack of space.
Training wild animals involves dominance and pain for animals. The animals’ spirits are broken during the training process through deprivation and beatings. They are taught to rely on the trainer to relieve their suffering by following the trainer’s orders and commands. Trainers rarely allow you to speak to or be near the animals in their charge. They want the animals to respond only to them and feel disconnected to members of the public who may wish to help end their suffering. Tools such as an ankus or bullhook are used with elephants on tender areas of skin to inflict pain during training sessions. Dowel rods and chains may be used in combination to break an animal’s spirit. Food and water deprivation and separation from other animals combine to create a torturous atmosphere that makes the animal believe the trainer is the only way to escape pain and suffering.
SAEN is devoted to ending the suffering of these animals and exposing these issues through media and complaints.
No more secrets, no more torture and no more cages!
Cats
- JULIUS VON UHL/WINTERQUARTERS CIRCUS
USDA confiscates Von Uhl circus animals - 11 Feb 2008
The HSUS Calls for Shutdown of Circus Winterquarters - 9 April 2007
USDA Report on Von Uhl Siberian Tiger Foundation - 15 Feb 2002 - PDF
Savage Kingdom - USDA Decision - 6 July 2006 - PDF
Julius Von Uhl, Winterquarters, USDA Decision - 16 Dec 2008 - PDF - GREAT CATS OF INDIANA
Great Cats of Indiana - USDA - 4 Jan 2010 - PDF - ZOOCATS, INC.
SAEN Calls for Immediate USDA Confiscation of Remaining Animals at Zoocats Kaufman County Facility While Suffering Continues - Press Release - 19 Jan 2010
SAEN Letter to USDA about Zoocats - 19 Jan 2010
Zoocats - USDA Decision - PDF
Zoocats - USDA Review Decision - 27 Jul 2009 - PDF
Zoocats - USDA Inspection Reports - 2009-2010 - PDF
Zoocats - USDA Inspection Reports - 8 Jul 2009 - PDF
Zoocats - USDA Inspection Reports - 2009-2010 - PDF
Texas Vs. Zoocats - Request for Receiver to be Appointed - PDF
Circuses
- JULIUS VON UHL/WINTERQUARTERS CIRCUS
Julius Von Uhl Circus, Winterquarters, Macy, IN, USDA Application - PDF
USDA confiscates Von Uhl circus animals - 11 Feb 2008
The HSUS Calls for Shutdown of Circus Winterquarters - 9 April 2007
USDA Report on Von Uhl Siberian Tiger Foundation - 15 Feb 2002 - PDF
Savage Kingdom - USDA Decision - 6 July 2006 - PDF
Julius Von Uhl, Winterquarters, USDA Decision - 16 Dec 2008 - PDF - WONDERFUL WORLD OF ANIMALS
Wonderful World of Animals (Joe Frisco) - Complaint Letter to USDA - 12 Apr 2010
USDA Reply - PDF
Dumbo forced to carry people
USDA looking into Wilkes-Barre circus death - 19 Jun 2010
Elephant kills trainer at Pennsylvania circus - 19 Jun 2010
Elephants
- DUMBO
Dumbo - Complaint Letter to USDA - 12 Apr 2010
USDA Reply - PDF
Dumbo forced to carry people
USDA looking into Wilkes-Barre circus death - 19 Jun 2010
Elephant kills trainer at Pennsylvania circus - 19 Jun 2010 - TANZANIAN ELEPHANT CAPTURE
Tanzanian Elephant Capture Policy Letter - 19 May 2010 - PDF - ZIMBABWE WILDLIFE DEAL WITH KOREAN ZOO
Zimbabwe Elephant Capture Policy Letter - 19 May 2010 - PDF
Zimbabwe: Government Ditches Wildlife Trade Deal - 19 Jun 2010
Zimbabwe Wildlife Deal - Dar es Salaam Letter from Joyce Poole - 18 May 2010 - PDF - SAN ANTONIO ZOO
Watchdog Group Outraged by Elephant Sale to San Antonio Zoo - press release - 22 Apr 2010
USDA Settlement Agreement for Queenie at San Antonio Zoo - 16 Apr 2010 - PDF
Maximum Tons of Fun - USDA Inspection Reports - PDF
Interview with San Antonio Zoo Director, Steve McCusker - Jul 2010
Lucky the Elephant
Misnamed "Lucky" the elephant said to whimper "Namaste"
Your hometown zoo (still) does wrong by Lucky - 9 Jan 2009
Lucky's Charm - 26 Nov 2008
Do Ya Feel Lucky? - 7 Jul 2008
San Antonio Zoo Bond Funding Agreement - 14 April 2005 - PDF
San Antonio Zoo Funding Agreement - 2 Oct 2007 - PDF
G.A. Bradshaw Statement to Transfer Lucky
Keith Lindsay Statement on Wild Elephants
Lucky's name has been a misnomer - 14 Oct 2008
San Antonio Zoo Bond Request - 18 Jan 2007 - PDF
San Antonio Zoo Director Steve McCusker Letters - Dec 2008 - PDF
San Antonio Zoo Director Steve McCusker Letters - May 2007 - PDF
USDA Letter to Complaint to San Antonio Zoo - 2 Jan 2008 - PDF - JULIUS VON UHL/WINTERQUARTERS CIRCUS
USDA confiscates Von Uhl circus animals - 11 Feb 2008
The HSUS Calls for Shutdown of Circus Winterquarters - 9 April 2007
Julius Von Uhl, Winterquarters, USDA Decision - 16 Dec 2008 - PDF
Exhibitors
- TERRANOVA ENTERPRISES, INC.
Terranova Enterprises, Inc. USDA Complaint - 16 Jul 2009 - PDF
Terranova Enterprises, Inc. USDA Inspection Report - 16 Nov 2009 - PDF - USDA
USDA - Controls Over APHIS Licensing of Animal Exhibitors (2010) PDF - ZOOCATS, INC.
SAEN Calls for Immediate USDA Confiscation of Remaining Animals at Zoocats Kaufman County Facility While Suffering Continues - Press Release - 19 Jan 2010
SAEN Letter to USDA about Zoocats - 19 Jan 2010
Zoocats - USDA Decision - PDF
Zoocats - USDA Review Decision - 27 Jul 2009 - PDF
Zoocats - USDA Inspection Reports - PDF
Texas Vs. Zoocats - Request for Receiver to be Appointed - PDF
Wildlife (not captive)
- BEARS
Man faces petty charges in Tennessee park bear incident - bear cub article - 25 Jun 2010
Agencies need attitude change over Tennessee wildlife - bear cub op-ed - 19 Jun 2010
Zoos
- ZIMBABWE WILDLIFE DEAL WITH KOREAN ZOO
Zimbabwe: Government Ditches Wildlife Trade Deal - 19 Jun 2010
Zimbabwe Wildlife Deal - Letter from Joyce Poole - 21 May 2010 - PDF
Zimbabwe Wildlife Deal - Dar es Salaam Letter from Joyce Poole - 18 May 2010 - PDF - SAN ANTONIO ZOO
Watchdog Group Outraged by Elephant Sale to San Antonio Zoo - press release - 22 Apr 2010
USDA Settlement Agreement for Queenie at San Antonio Zoo - 16 Apr 2010 - PDF
'Big girl' elephant has zoo debut / Queenie-Boo - 5 Jun 2010
Interview with San Antonio Zoo Director, Steve McCusker - Jul 2010
Lucky the Elephant
Misnamed "Lucky" the elephant said to whimper "Namaste"
Your hometown zoo (still) does wrong by Lucky - 9 Jan 2009
Lucky's Charm - 26 Nov 2008
Do Ya Feel Lucky? - 7 Jul 2008
San Antonio Zoo Bond Funding Agreement - 14 April 2005 - PDF
San Antonio Zoo Funding Agreement - 2 Oct 2007 - PDF
G.A. Bradshaw Statement to Transfer Lucky
Keith Lindsay Statement on Wild Elephants
Lucky's name has been a misnomer - 14 Oct 2008
San Antonio Zoo Bond Request - 18 Jan 2007 - PDF
San Antonio Zoo Director Steve McCusker Letters - Dec 2008 - PDF
San Antonio Zoo Director Steve McCusker Letters - May 2007 - PDF
USDA Letter to Complaint to San Antonio Zoo - 2 Jan 2008 - PDF - TOPEKA ZOO
Giraffe, Calf Die at Topeka Zoo - 13 Aug 2010 - article
Zoo Probe Brings Mixed Results - 29 Jul 2010
Topeka Zoo USDA Inspection Report - 26 Jul 2010 - PDF
More Violations For The Topeka Zoo - 28 Jul 2010
Agency admits it puts frequent violators, such as Topeka Zoo, on tighter leash - 3 Jul 2010 - article
Watchdog Group Wants Topeka Zoo License Suspended - 22 Jun 2010 - article
Troubled Topeka Zoo Faces Another Inspection - 23 Jun 2010 - article
Troubled Topeka Zoo to Get Another USDA Inspection - 23 Jun 2010 article
Animal Welfare Group Files Complaint Against Topeka Zoo - 23 Jun 2010 - article
Group: Suspend Zoo's License - 22 Jun 2010 - article
Suspend Zoo's License - 22 Jun 2010 - article
Group Calls on USDA to Punish Zoo - 22 Jun 2010 - article
Tennessee group files complaint against Topeka Zoo - 22 Jun 2010 - article
Watchdog Organization Calls for Immediate Suspension of USDA License and End of AZA Accreditation at Topeka Zoo - 22 Jun 2010 - press release
SAEN Letter to USDA Requesting Revocation of Topeka Zoo's Accreditation - 21 Jun 2010
Watchdog Organization Calls for Immediate Suspension of USDA License and End of AZA Accreditation at Topeka Zoo - 16 Jun 2010
SAEN Letter to AZA Requesting Revocation of Topeka Zoo's Accreditation - 10 Jun 2010
AZA to Topeka: See you in a year - 4 Mar 2010
Targets at zoo lacked alarms -18 May 2010
Topeka Zoo Cited For Crime Incidents - 1 Jun 2010
Zoo cited over recent break-ins - 1 Jun 2010
Editorial: Zoo failing - 26 Jan 2010
Recent letter spurs questions about zoo probe - 7 Nov 2009
Topeka Zoo - USDA Inspection Report - 12 Apr 2010 - PDF
Topeka Zoo - USDA Inspection Report - 1 Jan 2010 - PDF
Topeka-AZA Inspection Report - 2 Dec 2009 - PDF