Interesting you say that, I have actually seen Tony Ratcliffe put her in her travelling truck trailer once when the circus was in Cambridge. From unchaining her from the ground peg to closing the door of the trailer behind her would have taken about two minutes.
Franklin Zoo (Closed) Elephant Kills Woman at Franklin Zoo
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Interesting you say that, I have actually seen Tony Ratcliffe put her in her travelling truck trailer once when the circus was in Cambridge. From unchaining her from the ground peg to closing the door of the trailer behind her would have taken about two minutes.
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
I'm not 100% sure, but wasn't Carol going to be housed with the Bonnets, or just next to them? Either way, I can't say I am surprised by Auckland Zoo's response.
An enclosure was going to be built next to Carol's enclosure.
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. At least if she goes to Pouakai she can be with (or at least near) other Pig-tail Macaques. She's probably related to them anyway.
Pouakai Zoo
Active Member
do you know something we dont?????? as you may know we are not ZAA members. Until I here something offical from someone offical...its just a wait and see situation. Thanks
It might also assist the speculators to know that, although we are a ZAA zoo in Australia, we have not been approached to house any ex Franklin animals.
I am assuming that our Association is endeavouring to place animals with New Zealand ZAA members first.
I am assuming that our Association is endeavouring to place animals with New Zealand ZAA members first.
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
Given that the (non-pet/domestic) animals at Franklin Zoo were essentially ZAA-members rejects, it would seem unusual for ZAA to try and reclaim them. As said before, some species (bobcat, macaque) are phase-out, while others have behavioural/physical issues which made them difficult to keep with the group (e.g. the male capuchin from Brooklands, otter, zebra), or were simply surplus to display requirements (brolga).
As such, it seems reasonable that they would consider sending some to non-ZAA zoos in NZ. Sending them to Australian members is unlikely to be an option for a number of animals (brolga, macaque, otter), although others may be suitable candidates (especially the capuchins, of which Franklin has ~15, probably too many to be absorbed into NZ collections easily).
no it was purely an assumption. I thought that was clear from the post. The exotic animals at Franklin have to go to a facility that holds a zoo licence. As zooboy28 has said most of the animals are ones not wanted or required by ZAA zoos, so the most likely outcome if they are to be rehomed is for them to go to non-ZAA private zoos. If they do go to ZAA zoos most of them would probably go into off-display holdings where they serve no purpose. There are a few options in the private non-ZAA category but Pouakai seemed most likely as you already hold macaques etc (whether you would want Franklin's animals or have room for them is another matter entirely of course). The bit about you wanting to acquire more zebra after your one died was from a media release by yourselves (I can't remember if it was on your website, on here, or in an online article).
I think most people here agree with you that Tony is the one who should be dealing with Jumbo.
Everyone is also appalled with how the current managers are running things.
Do you really think that woman who keeps saying give me $1 million dollars or we kill the elephant is the best one for the job
I don't think asking for money is the issue at all. Most zoos in New Zealand don't have an elephant. The only other zoo that does is funded by ratepayers and doesn't need to ask for money. The money-raising at Franklin has been going on since long before Mila arrived, and is all the more necessary now without Helen's skills being available free of charge. It's more blatant now especially without the zoo being open to generate funds from visitors. Whether it's a million, two million, five million or $100,000 is irrelevant. Whether the people looking after Mila now are the best to look after her until she is moved to a sanctuary is more about the care she is receiving, and it's excellent from all accounts. However, as I say, her former owner sold her. I don't see how that makes him a better person, let alone the best person to be caring for Mila right now.
Yes, I've been following this since the beginning. I'm disappointed that everyone seems to be focusing on the money now and not on Mila. However much it takes to move her is irrelevant. It's all about who is caring for Mila, and I believe she is in good hands. Jenny Chung is not an elephant handler. All she's doing is trying to keep the zoo going until the animals can be rehomed, including Mila. So why has the focus of this forum turned into an anti-Jenny Chung campaign?
And what is the reason you believe Mr Ratcliff sold his elephant? i recently had to seriously consider sending my dingoes to a sanctuary or sell them to someone else. Just because someone hands over an animal to someone else doesn't mean it doesn't break their heart to do it. I believe Tony feels quite strongly about that elephant is is devasyated by simply being cut off from her completely. He has said some funny things in the media but.that to me is a sign of his passion for that elephant. we all get a bit heated when passion is involved.
I feel for you having to let go of your dingoes, but my view of Tony and his 'love' for Mila is colored by an experience I had only weeks prior to the Loritz Circus handing Mila over to the SPCA - something I doubt they would have done lightly especially as I believe Tony was employed by them at the time. The circus was in Waihi, a small North Island town. Flyers had been distributed inviting the public to pay $5 to feed Mila a bucket of food. I have a passion for elephants, and was driving through Waihi on my way to Auckland, so I stopped. Hot, bright sunny day, around 11am. Feeding began at 9am according to the flyer. Mila was banging inside her trailer. No sign of Tony. Tony hadn't turned up. Not the first time, I was told. No one knew where he was. Without him, no one could do anything with Mila except wait for Tony to turn up in his own time. Standing in the heat, listening to a distressed elephant with an absentee handler is etched on my mind and therefore I do not, and never will, believe Tony is the right person to be caring for Mila right now. He sold Mila, yes, but after that Mila was handed over to the SPCA, not handed back to Tony by the circus because even they could see he wasn't the right person to be with Mila. So whether Jenny Chung is right or wrong in asking for money, she is not compromising Mila's care and that is the most important thing right now. The money is a completely separate issue.
frankwilliam
Well-Known Member
Tony had to do as he was told by Peter Johnson and his hours were stipulated , he had certain feeding times set down by the circus , I know because he spoke to me about this on the phone , he had a bull hook yes , and it fitted in his pocket , that elephant would follow him any where , and i believe it still would ,he has said to me he will see Jumbo safe to a Sanctuary , do you want the guys blood , why dont you go and care for the elephant , that man gave nearly 30 years of his life to jumbo , if you want to chase ghosts , chase the man who gave her to the N,Z,R,S,P,C,A, AND WITHOUT EVEN A HANDLER , they are very lucky Tony came to their aid , and then again when they said they didnt need him Helen called and he went and set jumbo loose , Webers had Henri Schroer on hand the so called great elephant man and he did nothing , also elephant experts STROUD and POND , dont go on about TONY , he will always be there for jumbo , and pick up the pieces .
with relation to the discussion earlier in the thread about where Franklin's animals will go, this article from yesterday mentions some possibilities:
Zoo on the hunt for elephant minder - National - NZ Herald News
Zoo on the hunt for elephant minder - National - NZ Herald News
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