Jordan had a key role in forming at least nine organizations in 48 years, most of which still exist William Johnston Jordan, 97, known to the world as Bill Jordan, wildlife veterinarian, author, and founder or cofounder of a constellation of wildlife care projects spanning the globe, died on July 5, 2022, at the SSM Health/St. […]
Busted again: the secret life of “Tiger King” Kevin “Doc” Antle on the lam from Iowa
Does Antle fear identification with the ordinary more than felony charges? Charged with money laundering mucho bigtime MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina––Kevin Antle, 62, self-styled as “Bhagavan” and “Doc” Antle, was late on June 3, 2022 reportedly apprehended by agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Antle and alleged accomplice Andrew Jon Sawyer, 52, also known […]
Gary Tiscornia, 75, headed Michigan Humane & Monterey County SPCA
Led Michigan Humane recovery post-David Wills TUCSON, Arizona––Gary Tiscornia, 75, died on October 14, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona, his home for much of his childhood, his university and early professional years, and in retirement after 41 years of leading or helping to lead the Humane Society of Tucson, the Michigan Humane Society, the Society […]
Tiger exhibitor Marcus Cook: ex-cop has dodged the law for 20 years
Carole & Howard Baskin aim to stop Cook by persuading feds to do their job KAUFMAN, Texas––Having already put tiger cub exhibitors “Joe Exotic” Schreibvogel Maldonado Passage, Tim Stark, and Jeff Lowe out of business, Carole and Howard Baskin of Big Cat Rescue are metaphorically gunning now for Marcus Cline Hines Cook, doing business as […]
Former child star chimp Cobby, 63, had troubling hidden past
“Golden age of television” survivor had caregivers influential in the rise of animal rights opposition to zoos and circuses SAN FRANCISCO––The San Francisco Zoo chimpanzee Cobby, 63, who died on June 5, 2021, was remembered by mass media as “the oldest male chimp living in an accredited North American zoo.” But that may have been the […]
Siegfried Fischbacher, 81, follows tiger act partner Roy Horn, 75, in death
Illusionist Fischbacher, of Siegfried & Roy, created image of partner Horn as “positive reinforcement” trainer & conservationist Both were role models for “Joe Exotic” et al LAS VEGAS––Entertainer Siegfried Fischbacher, 81, died of pancreatic cancer on January 14, 2021, at the Las Vegas home he had shared with Roy Horn, his partner in life […]
“Cry Me A Cockroach”: Valentine’s Day sadism & the San Antonio Zoo
Cockroaches & rats named after ex-spouses to be fed to snakes SAN ANTONIO, Texas––San Antonio Zoo executive director Tim Morrow and staff appear to be going full speed ahead with a Valentine’s Day “Cry Me A Cockroach” event, despite complaints from around the world that it is mean-spirited, sadistic, and misleading, promotes a hostile […]
Lost in translation: “personhood” verdict reportedly won for elephant
Transfer-of-goods tax ruling followed precedent for nonprofit transactions CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÅES, Mato Grosso, Brazil––The retired Asian elephant Ramba, 52, arrived late on October 18, 2019 at the Santuário de Elefantes do Brasil, or Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, after a 73-hour journey from Chile. The transaction was completed after the elephant […]
Fur sales, wildlife acts, & hiding dog bite history banned in California
Fur-bearing animals & adopters of shelter/rescue dogs win protections SACRAMENTO, California––The new animal-related law in California that Governor Gavin Newsom and mass media said least about, to help protect Californians against recklessly rehomed dogs with bite history, may in the end become the most emulated among the raft of bills sent to Newsom’s desk […]
Last acts for animal circuses in Russia, India, New Jersey, & Hawaii
Russian law protects Moscow State Circus monopoly MOSCOW, NEW DELHI––New legislation in Russia, whose circuses have for almost a century been the most attended worldwide, and in India, where the circus tradition started, appear to be among the final acts in several thousand years of traveling exhibitions of performing animals. The new Russian “Law […]