Performing Animal Welfare Society
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The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a U.S. based group for abandoned or abused performing animals as well victims of the exotic animal trade. They claim 30,000 members. As a member accredited by The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS), the society follows guidelines stipulated by TAOS, one of which is that none of the elephants be bred.[1]
History
Founded by former Hollywood animal trainer and author Pat Derby and partner Ed Stewart, PAWS works to ensure that animals are protected by the Endangered Species and the Animal Welfare Acts, as well as by local laws. In 2007, with the arrival of a retired circus elephant named Nicholas, PAWS' ARK 2000 became the first sanctuary in the United States to house bull elephants.[citation needed] Today, the sanctuary is home to three bull elephants following the arrival of Sabu in September 2010, and Prince in July 2011. Sabu and Prince are both retired circus elephants.
Sanctuary Facilities
PAWS maintains three sanctuaries for captive wildlife—a 30 acre sanctuary in Galt, California, the 100-acre (0.40 km2) Amanda Blake Wildlife Refuge in Herald, California and a third, ARK2000, which comprises 2,300 acres (9.3 km2) in San Andreas, California. The Galt sanctuary was the first in the United States equipped to care for elephants.[2]
The animals live in facilities specifically designed for their needs; the elephants, for example, have access to 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land and have been given a jacuzzi for the more arthritic members of their family.
Animal Population
The sanctuaries currently house approximately six Asian Elephants, three African Elephants, forty one exotic cats like tigers, lions, cougars, a black leopard, a serval, and a bobcat, eight bears mostly American black bears, eight primates mostly White-headed capuchins, one coyote, emu, rhea, fallow deer, eland, Muntjack deer and a herd of scimitar-horned oryx.
References
- ^ "Care Guidelines for Captive Elephants". TAOS. Retrieved February 3, 2007. [dead link]
- ^ Vietllo, Paul. (2013, February 22). Pat Derby, 69, Champion of Animal Welfare. The New York Times, p B13.
External links
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