• Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
Search
Close
Facebook-f Instagram Youtube
mobilebcr
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
Menu
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
Home News @ BCR

USDA Big Cat Symposium

BCR by BCR
June 8, 2014
in News @ BCR
5
0
tigers in circus wagons
4
SHARES
81
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

USDA Big Cat Symposium

 

It’s hard for me to promote the USDA’s Lion, Tiger and Bear Symposium Agenda because it looks like their “agenda” is to promote backyard breeding and exploitation of big cat and bear cubs, (and primate babies as well, although that just didn’t fit in with the cutesy name of the gathering.)

Originally I planned to go because it had been discussed that concerned citizens could weigh in on USDA’s current loophole that allows the unbridled breeding of lions, tigers and other dangerous animals so that the cubs can be ripped away from their mothers and used as photo, swimming and ego props until they are 12 weeks old.  But it is rumored that USDA didn’t want to be seen as “having an animal welfare agenda” and instead has opted for more of the same animal exploitation agenda as they promoted in years past.

I was at their last Big Cat Symposium where their “expert” in big cat handling methods was a 5 generation circus carney, named Kay Rosaire, who said “you poke ’em real hard with a pitchfork a time or two and show ’em who’s boss.”

This year’s “training” looks like more of the same if you look at the topics and the “teachers.”

 

tigers in circus wagons

Else Poulson has spent 25 years working with zoo animals.

Jay Pratte is from the zoo industry.

Steve Bircher has spent 35 years working in the zoo industry.

Hollie Colahan is quoted in an interview saying, “I raised two cheetah cubs. I kept them in my office for a while to socialize them.” but cheetahs belong with their mothers and don’t need to be socialized by people.

Yvonne Nadler has spent the last 6 years in the zoo industry.

Vanessa Stoffel Vanessa Stoffel is the COO of a roadside zoo and on the board of the ZAA, which lists as part of it’s purpose, “Protect and defend the right to own exotic and domestic animals, in both privately funded and publicly funded facilities.”

Gail Hedberg’s claim to fame is that she has spent 36 hand rearing zoo animals, who were bred to live in cages.

Dr. Cheryl Morris is more zoo staff from Henry Doorly Zoo.

Alan Sironen retired from 35 years of zoo employment.

Dr. Ellen Wiedner is a circus vet speaking on geriatric cats and transportation.

Dr. Wm. Kirk Suedmeyer is another zoo vet.

There are 2 members of the sanctuary community who have been invited to speak.  Pat Craig will talk about how to transport animals, because those in the business of exploiting animals really need some advice there and Ben Callison has been allowed to speak about why sanctuaries are needed…as if an after thought to the problem of hundreds of big cats being bred, used and discarded each year by the zoo industry.

So it definitely does look like there is an agenda here, but that agenda is clearly that USDA values the opinions of those who make a living in the zoo industry.  11 speakers from the zoo industry, 1 from the circus and 2 from sanctuaries.

See the USDA Big Cat Symposium Agenda here:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/Lion_Tiger_Bear_Agenda_Synopsis.pdf

Maybe backyard breeders, roadside zoo operations and traveling acts will learn something useful at the event, but to me it sounds like USDA is trying to legitimize the captive use of wild animals when public opinion is clearly swinging away from such abuses.

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_our_focus%2Fsa_animal_welfare%2Fsa_caw%2Fct_lions_tigers_bears_symposium

 

 

 

 

Previous Post

3 Tigers Rescued from NY “Sanctuary”

Next Post

Importing Generic Tigers

Related Posts

Alex el Tigre
Featured

Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams

February 18, 2023

Best Quality Cams are the Explore.org Cams Our best quality webcams are...

News @ BCR

Insitu2021

January 17, 2023

Big Cat Rescue's InSitu 2021 Conservation Work https://youtu.be/k5nRxEIXSSE Around the outskirts of the Bandhavgarh...

2023-bigcatrescueinsitu
News @ BCR

2022 Annual Report

December 31, 2022

30 Years of Saving Big Cats Thanks to YOU! This has been...

Next Post

Importing Generic Tigers

Leave a Reply

  • Facebook Comments
  • Default Comments (0)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Recent Articles

  • The Himalayas are warming, and the snow leopards are losing their habitat March 24, 2023
  • “Lynx Captures Hearts with its Giant Fluffy Paws” March 24, 2023
  • Rafters fight off mountain lion attack along Arizona river March 24, 2023

Recent Comments

  • Owen Sanchez on Rare ocelot comes to the Tallahassee Museum on June 13
  • ANIL DAHAR on If a lion and tiger got into a fight, who would win?
  • bryan Christopher kirshon on Catfight
  • Jayden on TJ
  • Deb Quimby on AR Zoo Broward

Big Cat Rescue is accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries

We are Certified by Independent Charities of America as a “Best in America Charity”

About Us

  • Big Cat Rescue Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big cats may be the King of Beasts, but without you they can’t survive.

© Copyright 2023 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Cleantalk Pixel

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.