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PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
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Prince in his habitat at PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary. | |
Asian Elephant Prince:
From Zoo to Circus to Sanctuary
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Asian elephant Prince had seen it all, from zoo to circus, before finally arriving at his forever home amid the rolling hills at PAWS.
Prince was born at what is now the Oregon Zoo on May 24, 1987. When he was only 16 months old – an age at which elephants are still nursing and never apart from their mothers – his life changed forever.
The zoo cruelly tore Prince from his mother and sent him to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (which today no longer uses wild animal acts).
We don’t know much about Prince’s life in that circus. What we do know is that circuses in general truss, chain, and terrify baby elephants with sharp-tipped bullhooks to break their bodies and spirits – all so they can perform tricks before a paying audience.
Prince was later sent to another place that uses elephants for entertainment, and then to yet another facility – moved around without a thought for his welfare.
Finally – after 24 years of being treated as an object of entertainment – Prince came to PAWS’ ARK 2000 sanctuary in July 2011. He was donated voluntarily to PAWS, on request, by Feld Entertainment, Ringling’s parent company and Prince’s “owner.”
When Prince arrived, the first thing he did was repeatedly dust himself, eat heartily, and then sink into a pile of soft soil in his barn for a nap. This was just the beginning of Prince’s new life at PAWS. He soon learned that this place would be very different.
Food-reward based training and kind words replaced threats and dominance. Bullhooks and chains were a thing of the past. Prince learned that no one was going to hit, threaten, or punish him. As he relaxed, his true personality emerged: He is gentle, observant, and very smart, and he communicates with his caregivers through endearing “chirps.”
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Prince loves to be outdoors in his habitat – day or night, rain or shine – where he can take in the sights and sounds of the natural world around him. His favorite pastime is swimming and splashing in one of his two deep pools. He also likes to nap on the hillside or sleep on a soft heap of soil.
At 36 years of age, Prince walks with a stiff gait, a permanent and lasting effect of his early developmental years. Arthritis is a common affliction in captive elephants, caused by a host of captivity-related issues including lack of exercise, chaining, improper foot care, and inadequate nutrition. Prince receives medications and supplements to support joint health, hidden in favorite food treats every day.
PAWS is honored to care for this singular elephant and to give him a place he can finally call home.
Please support our Dollars for Dirt campaign – and supply Prince and the other elephants with plenty of fresh, loamy soil for dusting, sleeping, and simple pleasure – by clicking here.
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Stop Captive Monkey Exploitation! | |
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PAWS has joined PETA and the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance in protesting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team’s exploitation of a Capuchin monkey. When the team is losing, they show a clownish video of the “Rally Monkey” – a monkey named Katie dressed in an Angels uniform wildly leaping up and down and holding a “rally time” sign. Occasionally, a live monkey is brought to the stadium for photo opportunities.
We agree that it’s time to stop this cruel “tradition”, so PAWS sent a letter to the Angels’ owners and management asking them to end these practices that send the wrong message about monkeys and harm their welfare.
At PAWS we care for two Capuchin monkeys, Chico and Zeppo, who have been with us for 27 years. They are always treated with respect and compassionate care.
Take action
Please send a message to the Los Angeles Angels and let them know that it’s never okay to exploit captive wild animals like Katie for entertainment.
Send your email to LA Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl at dennis.kuhl@angels.com. Please be polite so your message will be heard.
Sample message (please personalize!)
I am writing to ask that you retire the Rally Monkey videos and end live monkey appearances at LA Angels baseball games. These displays are outdated, cruel, and irresponsible, and they send the terrible message that monkeys are objects of entertainment and ridicule.
Monkeys are highly intelligent and social animals with complex physical and psychological needs. When used for entertainment these animals suffer: They are traumatically separated from their mothers soon after birth, subjected to inhumane training methods to ensure they perform on cue, kept in unnatural social groupings, and confined in impoverished cages.
The Rally Monkey videos promote disrespect for monkeys who in nature play an essential role in their ecosystems. Some people may find them appealing as a novelty “pet” despite the complexity of their care and the health and safety risks they present.
It’s time to retire the pathetic and outdated Rally Monkey display that casts a negative light on the LA Angels organization.
Sincerely,
(You can also send an automatic message via PETA by clicking here.)
Thank you for taking action!
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Rescued black bear Mack in his home in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat at ARK 2000. | |
In Fond Remembrance of Bob Barker
Activist and Friend to Animals Everywhere
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All of us at PAWS are paying tribute to Bob Barker, an incredible man and animal activist who passed away on August 26 at age 99.
Bob Barker was a game-show legend, hosting “The Price Is Right” for three decades, amassing 19 Emmys and a lifetime achievement award.
At PAWS, we knew him as a passionate advocate for animals who never failed to lend a hand, whether personally, through his DJ&T Foundation, or by supporting animal rescue and protection organizations. He worked to end companion animal overpopulation, the exploitation of animals for entertainment, and the abuse of animals all over the world.
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PAWS co-founders Ed Stewart (pictured with Bob at ARK 2000) and the late Pat Derby teamed up with Bob Barker more than 35 years ago to fight for captive wild animals through legislation and rescue. He was instrumental in the transfer of elephants to our ARK 2000 sanctuary, and his DJ&T Foundation funded construction of the Bob Barker Bear Habitat, among other projects and campaigns.
Read a heartfelt personal remembrance of Bob Barker by PAWS President and CEO Ed Stewart here.
Bob Barker was beloved by many, and he moved mountains for animals. We will miss our dear friend and hero for the animals.
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Bears in Captivity: Roadside Attractions | |
As part of our Year of the Bear campaign, PAWS is drawing attention to an animal that deserves more of our respect and protection in the wild and in captivity. Each month, we provide interesting and sometimes little-known facts about bears – their intelligence, agility, and complex behaviors.
In previous newsletters, we’ve written about amazing bear attributes – their intelligence, high activity level, large home ranges, tool use, and strength. But what happens when bears are forced to live in conditions they were never meant to be in?
About 1,000 bears in the U.S. are used for entertainment or confined in dismal roadside attractions. These attractions, including bear “pits” (pictured) and zoos, confine bears in deprived conditions that cause physical and mental suffering. Some of these places may sell interactions with bear cubs, allowing the public to feed, hold, and take photos with them. (The cubs are often later disposed of and replaced with new cubs.) Others offer circus-style bear shows.
Roadside attractions generally confine bears in small, concrete-floored enclosures, with no natural features or opportunity to engage in important behaviors. They may be denied proper veterinary care and fed nutritionally deficient diets. Here are some of the problems that bears experience in these facilities:
Damage to the feet
Bears have not evolved to walk on hard and ungiving surfaces like concrete which causes damage to bears’ feet. Foot pads may crack and become callused, leaving them prone to infection. Chronic infection can lead to osteomyelitis, an infection that breaks down the bones of the feet and frequently results in euthanasia.
Arthritis
Bears kept on concrete or hard, compacted soil are prone to developing arthritis prematurely. This progressive and painful disease can affect the neck, spine, and joints.
Obesity
Lack of space and opportunities for meaningful exercise, along with an improper diet, can lead to obesity, affecting overall health and welfare. The pressure of additional weight on the joints and spine can contribute to arthritis.
Abnormal repetitive behaviors
Abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) such as pacing and bar (cage) biting are indicative of poor welfare. They are a bear’s attempt to cope with impoverished and stressful living conditions. ARBs can also affect a bear’s physical health, promoting arthritis and dental disease.
Improper diet
As omnivores, bears actively forage for a variety of seasonally available foods. Roadside attractions often feed inappropriate diets to bears, such as low grade dog food and kibble, because it is cheap. Some facilities allow the public to throw food to the bears, with no monitoring to assess an animal’s food intake. Improper diets are associated with health problems such as obesity, dental disease, ill health, and premature death.
Visit our Take the Pledge for Bears page where you’ll find information about bears in captivity and how you can help them. You can also sign our petition to stop bear cub petting operations that exploit baby bears for profit.
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Rescued bear Ben arrived at PAWS ARK 2000 in August 2012.
He now lives in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat.
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Notable in August
PAWS provides a lifetime home for all of the animals in our care. Some of them, like Capuchin monkeys Zeppo and Chico, have been with us for decades. Following are the animals who came to us, though in different years, during the month of August.
Capuchin monkeys Zeppo and Chico (and the late Harpo and Groucho) arrived at PAWS in 1996. Zeppo and Chico have been with us for 27 years!
Ben the bear (pictured above) arrived at ARK 2000 in 2012, flown to California courtesy of Federal Express on a plane they dubbed “Bear Force One.”
Mack, an orphaned black bear missing his right rear leg, arrived at our former Galt sanctuary in 2016 and was later transferred to his forever home in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat at ARK 2000.
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THANK YOU!
August Amazon Wish List Donors:
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The Lawton Family: one 2 lb. bag of almonds. Jake Barlow: one 32 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one bottle AminAvast, 60#. Lisa McNeil: two 6.5 oz. bags of dried Papaya. Patricia D. Adler: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; one 6.5 oz. bag of papaya. Linda and Mark Milani: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. N. Gordon: one 32 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Valerie Marini: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one 32 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Leona Heraty: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. Kitty Good: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. Lynn Pechet-Bruser: one pkg. of AA batteries, 144#. Joyce E. Hodel: one 5 lb. tub of Biotin 100; one 32 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. Jody Thornhill: four 2 lb. bags of almonds. Lynn Bruser: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. Kathy Milan: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Anonymous Donors: one 6.5 oz. bag of dried papaya; three 5 lb. tubs of Biotin 100; one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. | |
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We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. We have an ongoing need for many of the products listed. Click here to review the items and donate.
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AFRICAN ELEPHANTS THIKA AND MARA | |
PAWS provides lifetime care to the tigers, bears, elephants, and other animals who call our sanctuary home. Your kind support provides expert daily care, necessary veterinary treatments, and specialized nutritional support, all tailored to the individual needs of each animal. Your gifts make this excellent care possible. | |
There are many ways you can help PAWS animals: | |
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Donate. Although we work closely with regulatory agencies on animal rescues, PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. When you make a contribution for the wild animals at PAWS, it is unlike any other. How many people can say they’ve gifted elephants with spacious rolling hills and a more natural life, or made a present of a lush, tree-filled habitat for a tiger? Or given a bear a new chance at life? And you ensure we are prepared for the next wild animal in dire need of rescue. Three ways to give and every donation matters.
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PAWS is proud of its 4-star rating with Charity Navigator - the highest rating possible. We are part of an elite group of charities with an "exceptional" designation (at least four consecutive years of 4-star ratings), meaning that your gift will have the greatest impact possible. CharityWatch gives PAWS an "A" rating.
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Give to one of PAWS' ongoing MightyCause campaigns: Our "Dollars for Dirt" or "Give BIG for PAWS' Elephants" fundraisers for the elephants, like Prince (pictured), or our "Help Captive Tigers" fundraiser to benefit the rescued tigers living at our ARK 2000 sanctuary.
Adopt A PAWS Animal. If you would like to help our animals, one of the best ways is to become an "adoptive parent," or give a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent! Learn more
PAWS Partnerships. Help us change the life of a victim of captivity by becoming a PAWS Partner. PAWS partnerships help support our sanctuary operations and the day-to-day care of the animals. Learn more
Estates/Planned Giving. You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have PAWS' sanctuary to call home! Learn more
Corporate Donations and Matching Fund Programs. Learn more about what is needed.
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Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise. Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like notecards and coffee mugs - available from our CafePress online gift shop.
PAWS Amazon Wish List. We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. Many items are ongoing. The list is always current! View here.
EBAY Giving Works. Visit PAWS eBay page to view our current listings and to bid. List your items on EBAY and choose PAWS as your charity. Donate a percentage of each sale to the animals. Visit our EBAY charity listing page here. Start selling or buying!
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Shop online through IGive and raise money for PAWS! Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS. Learn more
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