[FEL-L] FW: URGENT HELP NEEDED WITH YOUNG LIONS

[Laura Morin]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Suzi P. 
To: africat at iwwn.com.na;africat at admin.co.uk;cptigers at mindspring.com;cathouse at qnet.com;dscf at dscf.demon.co.uk;et at lava.net;efrc at resultscomm.com;richard at bigcat.org;ispf at geocities.com;catsg at kora.ch;keepers at citlink.net;contact at wildaboutcats.org;SaveTheCats at aol.com;director at 2zoe.org;info at captiveanimals.org;info at oipa.org;international at oipa.org;info at animalsasia.org;info at api4animals.org;legislation at api4animals.org;info at CWAPC.org;blauerkreis at aon.at;info at eurogroupforanimals.org;Info at peta.org.uk;info at eznc.org;info at APRL.org;info at bornfree.org.uk;vetcare at sfzoo.org
Cc: zivot at zivot.hr
Sent: 3/21/2007 11:40:35 AM 
Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] URGENT HELP NEEDED WITH YOUNG LIONS


Please advise if you can help save two young lions in Osijek, Croatia Zoo.

The news story attached below was printed in newspaper in Osijek, Croatia on 18 March 2007.  The two little lions are most likely going to be put to sleep.  Can you help?  I am a U.S. citizen, but was born and raised in Croatia.  I currently live and work in Vienna, Austria but visit Osijek frequently.  Frankly, as much as I love to visit Osijek Zoo, it appears that it should be closed down due to the severe mistreatment of animals.  It should be reopened only when zoo keepers and managers receive proper education on animal care and management.

If you have any suggestions on how to prevent this tragedy, please let me know.  I am willing to do whatever is necessary to save those two young lions.

"Young lions are nameless, totally neglected, starved and sick.  It appears that euthanasia is the only way out for them.

Even though Osijek Zoo management is trying to portray an ideal situation for the animals in the zoo, especially noting that the animals enjoy the largest living areas in this part of Europe, the situation is exactly the opposite.

As we found out from a person that is person very well informed regarding the zoo activities, two young lions, almost 2 years old will be put to sleep.  This tragedy is even bigger because they were mistreated by the zoo staff.  Two lions were placed in small enclosures even though other lions have a large living area.  Because of this, little lions have suffered horrible consequences.  When we secretly observed them, we were shocked by what we saw.  They were malnutritioned and their legs were shaking when they attempted to stand, and some areas of their bodies were completely hairless.  We also found out from the person who is aware of their condition that they are also blind.  Miroslav Dolezal, the new Unikom director told us that he is aware of the situation even though he has been the director only two months.  He confirmed our information and said that someone will be held responsible for keeping the young lions in small space without proper nutrition and vitamins.  He also confirmed that they will most likely have to put lions to sleep and at this moment that seems to be the most humane action. Director Miroslav Dolezal demanded a written report from the Zoo manager Tatjana Salika-Todorovic.  She refused to comment because she said she is not the responsible party.  This is her second incident this week, as she commented on Friday that the deer which wondered into Osijek's suburb of Retfala was shot with a shotgun because Osijek Zoo does not have darts to safely sedate animals."

Additional story from the Osijek newspaper on 19 March 2007:

Today we had an ad hoc press conference, and the manager of the Osijek Zoo gave us an explanation that the neglected young lions are offspring of a lion who always had degenerative offspring.  Person who is very well informed about Zoo activities told us that they used to "destroy" offspring from that lion. 
Manager Tatjana Salika-Todorovic told us that unsuccessful laser castration of the "father" lion in Netherlands, before he came to live in Osijek Zoo, is the reason why he had a degenerative descendants.
Regarding young lions... They lived in horribly small cage for two years, because their father killed a cub he had before them. Zoo explained that young lions are protected that way.  Heavy scent of ammonium is spreading from interior of their cage. 
Director of UNIKOM, the firm that's managing Zoo is determined to find out the reasons that brought the young lions in this poor condition. He is demanding professional opinion from Veterinary University of Zagreb, because they are only institution he can trust right now.
Interesting, opinion of the Zoo manager Salika-Todorovic is that young lions have to be put to sleep so that they don't suffer no more. We are wondering why she has not said anything in the past two years, and what is her excuse since she is also veterinarian?
Keeping lions in condition like that is violation of Animal Protection Law and violation of Croatian Law itself, I've mentioned that at press conference in front of the media.

We are asking people who are experts or know know an expert on big cats (lions especially), to visit Osijek, examine the young lions and make an educated and correct decision regarding possibility of life of these young animals.
WE NEED YOUR URGENT RESPONSE! 
Young lions were born blind, they are weak on their legs and are barely moving. Is there any chance for their recovery?  Please let us know!


PLEASE HELP .... thank you!

Suzana Psenicnik



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