PantheraLeoMelanochaita
Well-Known Member
I grieve for all the animals at that sorry excuse for a zoo, but Asha's situation is especially horrifying. She's like the elephant equivalent of Tokitae... 
Natural Bridge Zoo Natural Bridge Zoo News
- Thread starter Smaggledagle
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Mary
Well-Known Member
She reminds me of Patty and Happy at the Bronx Zoo. Old female, difficulty with social skills. I hope they can find her a place. Lord know like the latter two, people who don't know her story or her temperament will complain about her being alone no matter where she goes.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Patty and Happy are at the very least housed by one of the best zoos in the world, cared for by staff who have known the both of them for decades.
PantheraLeoMelanochaita
Well-Known Member
I feel like TES is the most likely place for her to go if she is seized, considering their history of working with older cows and with elephants who have been seized from bad situations. Usually I’m skeptical of places that call themselves sanctuaries, but from what I’ve seen TES looks like the real thing— staffed by experts, involved in real work to help wild elephants, and open about their policies. Plus, their facility is huge, although I don’t know if they’re in a position to take another elephant now. I hope the smaller animals at NBZ don’t slip through the cracks and fall back into hands that don’t treat them well, as sometimes happens with rescues.
Mary
Well-Known Member
Exactly. Couldn't agree more.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Well, at least we know of her whereabouts now.
That being said, this "facility" appears to be little more than a tourist trap; A circus with a permanent location if you will.
It has received hundreds of citations for poor animal care, inadequate living conditions, dangerous practices and outbreaks of TB.
So... Yeah.
Poor Asha isn't exactly in paradise right now. I sincerely hope that she's removed from Two Tails Ranch as soon as possible and placed at an actual elephant sanctuary. It would be horrible for her to have to stay at Two Tails for as long as it takes for her case to work it's way through the court system.
The Zoo was in court today. The Attorney's office asked the judge to allow for the seizure of four giraffes not owned by the Zoo as well. A second hearing is scheduled for Jan 5.
New details revealed during first Natural Bridge Zoo court appearance
New details revealed during first Natural Bridge Zoo court appearance
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Interesting tidbits from the most recent news article.
*Attorney General’s Office Animal Law Unit Director Michelle Welch said that the 95 animals that were seized are now 96 because one of them has since given birth.
I wonder what the newborns' species is.
*Many of the witnesses on Wednesday were zoo experts called by the state. Some came from as far away as Oakland, California.
They recommended the seizure of animals based on what they describe as unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.
Anyone here have any idea about who might've been called to testify for the state?
*The state alleges that there was a lack of security at the zoo. An investigator said all of the doors to the zoo were unlocked except for the front door when they arrived for their search.
Yikes.
*The White Bengal Tiger named Zeus was euthanized during the seizure, and the state said that a necropsy was performed at Virginia Tech and showed he had cancer that spread to multiple organs.
Poor tiger, sounds like death couldn't have come for him soon enough.
*“My understanding, I haven’t personally inspected Asha, but Asha is alive and well, absolutely healthy,” Williams said. “As far as I’m concerned is that they haven’t gone after Asha. She wasn’t on the property at the time.”
Didn't the original seizure warrant directly name Asha?
*Part of the testimony on Wednesday involved four giraffes, court documents show that though they reside at the zoo they are not owned by the Mogensens.
The state said that the giraffes weren’t originally seized because they were hard to transport but are asking the judge to consider their seizure as well.
Who owns these giraffes? And who on earth would allow their giraffes to be... leased (???) by this facility?!?
*The prosecution also focused on a tortoise habitat that had birds directly above it, noting that feces were falling onto the tortoises, their food and water.
No excuse for something like that.
*Attorney General’s Office Animal Law Unit Director Michelle Welch said that the 95 animals that were seized are now 96 because one of them has since given birth.
I wonder what the newborns' species is.
*Many of the witnesses on Wednesday were zoo experts called by the state. Some came from as far away as Oakland, California.
They recommended the seizure of animals based on what they describe as unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.
Anyone here have any idea about who might've been called to testify for the state?
*The state alleges that there was a lack of security at the zoo. An investigator said all of the doors to the zoo were unlocked except for the front door when they arrived for their search.
Yikes.
*The White Bengal Tiger named Zeus was euthanized during the seizure, and the state said that a necropsy was performed at Virginia Tech and showed he had cancer that spread to multiple organs.
Poor tiger, sounds like death couldn't have come for him soon enough. *“My understanding, I haven’t personally inspected Asha, but Asha is alive and well, absolutely healthy,” Williams said. “As far as I’m concerned is that they haven’t gone after Asha. She wasn’t on the property at the time.”
Didn't the original seizure warrant directly name Asha?
*Part of the testimony on Wednesday involved four giraffes, court documents show that though they reside at the zoo they are not owned by the Mogensens.
The state said that the giraffes weren’t originally seized because they were hard to transport but are asking the judge to consider their seizure as well.
Who owns these giraffes? And who on earth would allow their giraffes to be... leased (???) by this facility?!?
*The prosecution also focused on a tortoise habitat that had birds directly above it, noting that feces were falling onto the tortoises, their food and water.
No excuse for something like that.
BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
Williams is the attorney of the family who runs the zoo, so I would take his statement with a grain of salt. The article even states she was on the warrant. I’d be very surprised if the state doesn’t even attempt to do something about her considering how egregious her situation is along with the politics and public perception behind elephant welfare nowadays.
Interesting tidbits from the most recent news article.
*Attorney General’s Office Animal Law Unit Director Michelle Welch said that the 95 animals that were seized are now 96 because one of them has since given birth.
I wonder what the newborns' species is.
*Many of the witnesses on Wednesday were zoo experts called by the state. Some came from as far away as Oakland, California.
They recommended the seizure of animals based on what they describe as unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.
Anyone here have any idea about who might've been called to testify for the state?
*The state alleges that there was a lack of security at the zoo. An investigator said all of the doors to the zoo were unlocked except for the front door when they arrived for their search.
Yikes.
*The White Bengal Tiger named Zeus was euthanized during the seizure, and the state said that a necropsy was performed at Virginia Tech and showed he had cancer that spread to multiple organs.
*“My understanding, I haven’t personally inspected Asha, but Asha is alive and well, absolutely healthy,” Williams said. “As far as I’m concerned is that they haven’t gone after Asha. She wasn’t on the property at the time.”
Didn't the original seizure warrant directly name Asha?
*Part of the testimony on Wednesday involved four giraffes, court documents show that though they reside at the zoo they are not owned by the Mogensens.
The state said that the giraffes weren’t originally seized because they were hard to transport but are asking the judge to consider their seizure as well.
Who owns these giraffes? And who on earth would allow their giraffes to be... leased (???) by this facility?!?
*The prosecution also focused on a tortoise habitat that had birds directly above it, noting that feces were falling onto the tortoises, their food and water.
No excuse for something like that.
Was all of the bolding done by you or the article?
Regarding Asha, they can't seize an animal that isn't there, especially one that big. It's still currently unknown by the public if Asha's ownership was transferred before the raid, as well.
Plenty of other zoos worked with and supplied animals to/took animals from this zoo.
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
Me, myself and I.
Has there even been any indication that Asha's ownership has been legally transferred to Two Tails Ranch? From what I've read of her owner, he's consistently come across as someone bound and determined to not left Asha go unless she's quite literally pried out of his greedy hands.
Such as?
What zoo do you think that the giraffes came from?
Ownership of zoo animals is always quite strange, and difficult to figure out. Oftentimes, animals move between facilities due to cooperation between zoo management without the actual ownership of the animal changing, oftentimes in the form of long-term loans. This becomes even more complicated by the fact the ownership of animals born can be determined by who owned the parents, regardless of what zoo the animal was born at. I know as a fact that there are zoos who own animals that have never even stepped foot in them, and sometimes even of species that haven't been in the collection for decades.
You should note that when quoting, since it's not part of the quote.
It doesn't have to be to Two Tails Ranch, it could be anyone. Having her with someone they know is better than having her being taken by the government, for them.
The usual suspects, plenty of similar quality zoos. Several who are now in jail and/or had animals confiscated.
I have no idea.
TheGytrash
Well-Known Member
Does Asha usually stay at the zoo when they're closed for the winter? It wouldn't surprise me if she 'winters' at this ranch when she can't give rides.
State prosecutors have finished their arguments. The defense (the Zoo) is up next - sometime this month.
State rests case in Natural Bridge Zoo hearing
State rests case in Natural Bridge Zoo hearing
The judge should be making their ruling soon after the defense called their own witnesses.
Natural Bridge Zoo testimony comes to an end
Natural Bridge Zoo testimony comes to an end
TheGytrash
Well-Known Member
It's so weird to read about this case and how they go case by case about whether every animal's individual treatment is okay or not. I understand that's how the legal system works, but I tend to feel like if there's one animal in questionable but possibly understandable health circumstances (like, say, giraffe with overgrown hooves or bird with broken beak) that's one thing, but when it's like 95 animals, that kinda makes ya go hmmmm.
Also, it turns out this case is more widely known than I thought. I live in the DC metro area (so a few hours away from Natural Bridge) and I was at a party yesterday and the subject turned to a different local unaccredited zoo and one guy brought up this case being in the news lately.
Also, it turns out this case is more widely known than I thought. I live in the DC metro area (so a few hours away from Natural Bridge) and I was at a party yesterday and the subject turned to a different local unaccredited zoo and one guy brought up this case being in the news lately.
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39 of the 100 animals seized will be returned to the Zoo after the court found that the prosecution could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt certain individuals were mistreated or under medical distress.
Court rules in Natural Bridge Zoo case; some animals to be returned
Court rules in Natural Bridge Zoo case; some animals to be returned
Wisp O' Mist
Well-Known Member
WTF.
Court is really giving National Bridge the benefit of the doubt here that it honestly doesn't deserve, IMHO.
This facility has been a chronic offender when it comes to violations noted on it's USDA inspections, so I don't understand why it's being given yet another "chance".
The only consolidation I suppose is that two thirds of the animals will not be returned to National Bridge's custody, and the majority of the animals that are being returned consist of mostly small species commonplace in the exotic pet trade in the US.
That'll certainly hurt National Bridge's bottom line, and may they never be able to recover from it.