Carole Baskins Diary

Man, it’s hot!  

9 degrees above normal, which is about 6 degrees higher than what it takes to kill the planet, so I’m thankful there are people working on the problem.  I just hope the damage we’ve done to the earth can be changed in time.  I fear people will just crank up the A/C and stay in side.

 

I was thankful to have customer support actually answer me yesterday on a 360Fly.com virtual reality camera I bought.  Out of the box it was as buggy as its name, but with some support, I got it working.  It’s really not a very good camera, but it was almost one tenth the cost of the one I need.

 

I get my second rabies shot today.  I’m hoping that all the bad reactions I had to the last dose, which included aching, a fever blister on my lip and a general itching all over and malaise; won’t be repeated after this dose.  I am grateful to scientists who created such a vaccine so that I can help the animals I love without dying.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Best International Tiger Day EVER!

I’m so happy that 45 NGO’s came together with a unified voice today for tigers and that the U.S. captive tiger situation was right up front and center in the reports by EIA and WWF.  See below as they are epic.

 

I’m thankful that I have the tools to create a #InternationalTigerDay banner from one of Jamie’s amazing photos of TJ the tiger in our Vacation Rotation enclosure and share it with millions of people on Facebook and Instagram.

 

I’m grateful to NonStop Knight for hosting an in game voting contest for a charity to win $10,000  I am confident we can win it.

 

WWF Roars Out Against Tiger Farming

 

WWF: Tiger Farming in Asia Must End; US has Role to Play

 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is using International Tiger Day today to call on governments across Asia to investigate all tiger breeding centers and close any operations involved in the illegal tiger trade. WWF is also calling on the US to do more to address its own large captive tiger population.

 

Closure of operations in Asia linked to illegal tiger trade, commonly referred to as ‘tiger farms’ to distinguish them from legitimate zoos or captive breeding facilities established for conservation purposes, would significantly boost efforts to save the world’s remaining wild tigers.

 

According to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), there are more than 200 tiger breeding centers across Asia ranging in size from tiny to huge. These centers, spread across China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, jointly house between 7,000-8,000 captive tigers – far more than the estimated 3,900 tigers left in the wild.

 

Many of these tiger breeding centers – which often include entertainment attractions like Thailand’s notorious Tiger Temple – are likely to be involved in the illegal trade of tigers and tiger products, particularly given their incredibly high operating costs. They undermine efforts to protect wild tigers and to halt the illegal trade by complicating enforcement activities, and by normalizing and legitimizing the sale of tiger parts and products, which in turn drives up demand.

 

“Many tiger range states have devoted considerable resources to conserving their wild tigers – efforts that are being undermined by the existence of these farms,” said Michael Baltzer, Leader of WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative. “Closing tiger farms will help countries to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling wild tiger numbers by 2022.”

 

However, tiger farms cannot be closed overnight since the fate of the tigers would still need to be resolved, especially as none of them could be released into the wild. International support would be needed to help countries deal with this challenge, including ensuring rigorous oversight of the operations while they were being phased out.

 

The US in particular, with the largest captive population outside of China, has a significant role to play in ensuring captive-bred tigers don’t feed the global black market for tiger parts. A patchwork of regulations governing the estimated 5,000 captive tigers in the US makes many of these animals susceptible to exploitation by wildlife traffickers.

 

The US Fish and Wildlife Service took significant steps in April by tightening loopholes that allowed unregulated interstate trade in captive tigers. But much more can be done, including banning public contact with tigers for photo ops and other profit-seeking ventures that encourage private tiger breeding.

 

“Our concern is that when these cats get too large, costly and dangerous to be profitable they can be funneled into the illegal trade in tigers and tiger parts,” said Leigh Henry, Wildlife Policy expert at WWF in the US. “Disincentivizing private tiger breeding will gradually decrease the number of tigers in the US to a more manageable number and make them less vulnerable to illegal trade. Continued strong US action in our own backyard in support of tiger conservation sends a positive signal to Asian governments considering a

My Puppy Was Almost Leopard Food

Hi Carole,

 

I found this today while moving some pictures around and trying to organize them better. That's me on the right with my friend Loren in 1998ish. This is the trip my wire fox terrier puppy almost became leopard food. Yeah, that was scary and stupid on my part! My mom, Loren, Coy the puppy, and myself were in Tampa for a horse show. I was trying to track down one of my horses to see how he was doing. We couldn't find him, but happened to pass Easy St. I had met you, Jamie, Aurora, and Jumanji earlier that year at an Earth Day celebration in Merritt Island and knew you guys as Wildlife on Easy St. I was bummed about not finding my horse and was 2 hours from home. Saw Easy St. and we ended up there at your place! I let my puppy out to potty before we left and didn't realize the fence with the overgrown brush was an enclosure. I thought it was a perimeter fence. My puppy was sniffing around and the next thing I know there's a leopard inches away checking her out! It scared me half to death! I snatched her up so fast she yelped! LOL

 

Anyway, Loren and I had the best time going through the sanctuary. My mom stayed back with the puppy for most of the tour. Your volunteers were so awesome they let us take turns, so my mom could enjoy the visit too! I remember at the end of the tour going into a house/gift shop where a rather hefty bobcat was lying atop a large night crate. I wish I could remember the name of that one. I have pictures somewhere. If I come across anymore pictures I'll send them.

 

BTW, when I sent my mom the link to the page you created she called me back in tears. She was so moved by it all. Thank you again for doing that for her.

 

Thanks,

Ryane Postell

 

I wrote her back saying, “Thank you for this throwback Thursday.  My guess is that you guys were petting Esmerelda Serval.  A hefty bobcat in the house, would most likely have been Raindance.  Leopards in the parking lot?  Most likely Jade and Armani. Only the last two cats are still alive.

 

We have evolved a lot since then and realize that when people show pictures of themselves petting wild animals it just makes others go out and pay to do it too.  That's what drives almost all of the captive breeding and suffering, so we won't be posting this photo of you guys, but I appreciate that you took the time to send it and to remind me of your visit.”

 

Things I’m Thankful For

 

I am thankful that WWF finally spoke out in the press against tiger farming and suggested that all 8000 tigers be relocated from the farms to sanctuaries today. They have not been very helpful in all the years of working with the International Tiger Coalition because they don’t want to be run out of China for their other projects.

 

I appreciate that Howie took the time to give a DC intern a tour today.  As he said, she has no influence and can’t help us, but she was so enthusiastic when she heard we had visited her boss in DC that she asked him to find us before we left the building so she could come see us in person.

 

I really had a nice surprise yesterday when so many of my team wrote articles and sent photos for the July AdvoCat newsletter.  I usually have to write the whole thing myself, but am grateful they all took ownership of their departments and wrote great stories to share with our 70,000 email list.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words a

I’m lucky to sleep as well as I do. Howie was up early and explained it wasn’t by choice but was because every hour or so he would awake from some frustrating dream. By daylight he had just given up on being able to sleep and was up and about. That means he will sleep on and off all day, and it’s become so common place that I don’t even bother opening the window shutters any more. The house is always dark now and the beautiful views of the creek shut off because Howie struggles so to sleep. Hot flashes wake me a lot during the night, but once I’ve kicked away the covers, and cooled off, I go right back to sleep. I almost never even remember a dream. I believe dreams are how we work out things we can’t work out in waking thought. Maybe I have less to figure out. I’m thankful for reminder apps. First thing I did, when I woke up, was checked my iPhone 6 + for the time, weather and tasks that are due today. Yesterday Jamie and I bought $10,000 of clothing racks and display racks at Sports Authority, which went out of business and sold everything down to the bare walls. We only paid $1,000 for them and this should pretty much outfit our new gift shop space. Pushing for the permits for the new 48 x 72 modular store and the septic tank to go with it have been my frustration. Nothing to figure out in a dream though. Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/ I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet. You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile! Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion. Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Facebook started a new thing for brands to create frames for fans.

I am so relieved that the Wildlife Waystation was spared last night!

 

Posted to Facebook and boosted w/ $500 in ads:

 

Wildlife Waystation was nearly surrounded by the #‎SandFire last night that came within 1/2 mile of their 400 lions, tigers, chimps, bears and other wild animals. Huge shout out to Bobbi Brink for heading out to help them, along with everyone else in the community who offered space, trailers and muscle. During the night the winds shifted moving the fires away from the Waystation and at last report the sanctuary is safe. This was a gut wrenching couple of days for those who have rescued wild animals from being used as pets and pay to play props.

 

There shouldn't be a need for places like Big Cat Rescue or the Wildlife Waystation, where huge populations of captive bred wild animals can be in peril from natural disasters. We can keep tragedies like these from happening by stopping the problem at its root: End private possession of big cats. Please take action now at BigCatAct.com by sending the easy email to your lawmaker AND calling them. You'll get their number when you enter your zip code.

 

And you can ask USDA to stop cub handling with all species and ages of wild cats at TigerRescue.com

 

This fire could have burned hundreds of caged animals alive last night. They were spared, but it is a scenario that is likely to repeat, if we don't stop the breeding and discarding of wild cats as photo and pay to play props.

 

I am grateful that we can afford the tools we need.  Yesterday the iMac in the Kitten Cabana seemed to have bit the dust, so I ordered a new iMac for Afton to use on building videos.  She has the oldest machine, being a 2012, so the boost in power will really boost her productivity.

 

I am listening to a podcast about building totally sustainable housing from natural materials that includes ways to harness solar power, and turn dung into fuel, and has built in hydroponic gardens that are fertilized from the tilapia fish pools.  Each unit will be 700sf and about $35,000  I am thankful that I have access to such great thinkers and the ability to make the most of them.

 

I’d really love to buy Fox Valley pet formulas, but that’s not my wheel house, so I sent this to Steve Watters, who created the LittleCatsHelpingBigCats.com initiative selling cat treats with our branding.

 

If I were in your line of work, I'd try to buy out http://www.foxvalleynutrition.com/product-lines/milkreplacers/

 

They make the best milk replacers we've ever found, but no one has ever heard of them and they are killing themselves by not offering any sort of online purchase by credit card.

 

Their website says they will take a credit card, but they don't, from what Jamie tells me.  They take the orders by email or phone.

 

Then you don't hear from them forever.  You call or email them and they tell you they forgot to send out your order...It will arrive eventually, if you keep hounding them.

 

Then they send it with a bill that they are hoping the customer will pay but many of their clients are poor rehabbers who might forget to send the money, by justifying that Fox Valley "forgot" to send their order in time to save a life.

 

It's just run so poorly and yet is such an outstanding product that foster parents of kittens, and rehabbers rave over.  If it were done right, I think it would be an amazing source of income.  If they don't want to sell, then maybe you could figure out the magic in their formula and offer an alternative that people could actually purchase in a timely manner.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginni

I am thankful for Pokemon.

Never thought you would hear me say that about a game.  I hate games.  This one could bring some awareness though.  I added our two “gyms” and Poke Stops to our Safari Day offering on Oct 1 and am dragging the team, kicking and screaming, into offering some special week day tours for the game while it’s hot.

 

I love Shipt as it allows me to go online, place my grocery order and have it delivered to the house.  I really hate shopping, so this is a great way to not starve.

 

I love Alibaba because I can order just about anything you can imaging and have it customized and shipped to the sanctuary in 2 weeks or less.  I created a little pin for the CITES CoP17 with a tiger head and those words.  I think people will proudly wear it as a souvenir at the conference and help us cover the convention in tiger thoughts.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Very happy to have rescued a baby bobcat last night in Clermont.

Even happier that we may be able to rescue a tiny mate for him from a wildlife center in Venice that isn’t equipped for bobcat rehab.

 

Especially happy that USFWS is looking into Joe “Exotic” right after the state just hit him with subpoenas for tax evasion.  See Howard’s response to their questions about Joe:

 

It is easier to lay out the history and include answers in it.

 

• In 2010 Joe renamed his traveling cub petting show Big Cat Rescue Entertainment and was using our photos and videos.

• January 2011 BCR filed suit against Joe personally and GW Exotic for trademark and copyright infringment

• Joe countersued alleging slander and libel. BCR filed for summary judgment to have those claims thrown out.

• January 2013 the judge ruled in favor of BCR on summary judgment to throw out counterclaims

• 1/11/13 Joe agreed to a consent judgment rather than go to trial.  Judgment is for a little over $1mm both personal against Joe and against GW Exotic, the original zoo..

• 2/19/13 Joe had three staff form a new entity, The Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Foundation. - Directors were John Finlay, Gary Douglas and Tracie Myron-Schultz

• 3/29/13 Joe filed personal bankruptcy and GW Zoo filed for bankruptcy.

• 8/5/13 the US Trustee made Joe sign an agreement that his debts were not discharged by his personal bankruptcy, presumable because he lied in the filing.

• 12/11/13 the judge granted BCR motion to dismiss the GW Zoo bankruptcy filed 11/21/13

• Joe had transferred the zoo land from his name to his mother days after we filed our suit. The Bankruptcy Trustee in his personal bankruptcy sued his mother who confessed to it being a fraudulent transfer and had to buy it back at the appraised value.

• 4/15/14 BCR sued Garold Wayne zoo arguing on various legal bases that it was formed to evade the judgment and basically was the same as the old zoo. The answer to the question why was the zoo name changed, directors changed, and Joe's role change on paper to be a consultant, was to avoid the BCR judgment.

• 9/3/15 Joe marries Travis Maldonado and took his name.  He had previously in 2014 held a ceremony where he married both Travis and John Finlay but it was not legally sanctioned.  He then had a falling out with Finlay and accused Finlay of assault. When gay marriage became legal he formally married Travis. Best guess on why he took Maldonado name is that the Schreibvogel name was so tarnished he thought he could escape some of the reputation. 

• 2/1/16, again right before trial, Joe entered into a consent agreement admitting the fraudulent transfer of assets from GW Exotic to Garold Wayne and the agreement included an injunction against transferring asset.

• Then Joe basically did an instant replay of what he did after the prior judgment.  

• 2/5/16 Garold Wayne zoo board supposedly voted to dissolve the corporation. Jeff Lowe set up a number of new entities. The one that purports to run the zoo now is Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, LLC formed 2/8/16. Joe continues to operate as an alleged consultant but appears to have continued to run the zoo throughout the name changes, entity changes, and director changes. According to a suit filed against all the zoo entities and a number of individuals Monday Jeff Lowe is President. Have no info on the directors.

• There are also Greater Wynnewood Development Group, LLC. Ten acres next to the zoo was purchased in the name of former director Tracie Miron-Schultz and this Development entity purports to be developing an outdoor movie theater and big cat display on that property. There is also a for profit entity Big Cat Institute formed 2/13/16 whose purpose is unknown.

 

Immediately after the 2013 consent judgment Joe announced on line that BCR could use the judgment as toilet paper and BCR would never collect.

 

Bottom line, in the opinion of BCR, and confirmed by the court in the case of Garold Wayne and currentl

I’m thankful to live in paradise. Each morning I awake to the sight of Rocky Creek gently winding its way, past my house and out to the sea. It reminds me of the cycle of life and the rhythm of nature. I am grateful that today the sky is blue and I can ride my bike to work as that is my time to listen to podcasts and learn about things I need to know without detracting from the things I need to do, since I need the exercise. I appreciate people who share their expertise online so that no matter what the issue; like yesterday not being able to access voice mail on a new iPhone, someone has put detailed instructions on how to do it. Did I mention how thankful I am for such a bright and capable husband? Professor Jones, I was a law review graduate from U of M law school in 1980 back in the Soia Mentshikoff days. I went on to Harvard Business School and never practiced law, although the law school education has been extremely useful in my career. For the last 13 years I have co-managed with my wife, the Founder, a nonprofit in Tampa devoted to rescuing and providing a home for abandoned and abused big cats (tigers, lions, bobcats etc.) and working to end their abuse by changing the laws and regulations. Florida has a very unique situation in terms of laws in this area because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was established by amendments to the Florida Constitution and separately has a statute granting certain powers. Without all the detail, the Commission takes the position that certain of their powers come from the Constitution, not from the Statute. I read through the cases they rely on and felt their self serving position was incorrect, i.e. that the cases cited did not support their argument and in fact the opposite was true. I took my analysis to a very good law firm here. They agreed with my analysis. My next step is to run this by one or more experts in Constitutional Law. I realize that Constitutional Law most commonly probably refers to the US Constitution, but I am thinking that the same principles would apply. If I were to come down to Miami at your convenience, would you be willing to do me the kindness of an hour of your time to lay out this situation, which if nothing else I think you will find intellectually interesting, and discuss whether you would have an interest in assisting me in this matter? The outcome could potentially stop the mistreatment of thousands of big cats in captivity in Florida. Thanks for any consideration you are able to give to this request. Howard Baskin Advisory Board Chairman Big Cat Rescue Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/ I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet. You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile! Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion. Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

I’m glad we have burglary alarms at the sanctuary but I wish xxx could figure out how to turn them off when she enters a building. I always know when it’s her day to coordinate. I’m just going to be happy that she’s there getting the sanctuary off to a start today, rather than me. Michael Heap, a former intern from the U.K. asked for a job in IT at the sanctuary and that’s one job I’d love to hand off. We aren’t ready for a full time person, but it did get me to thinking about ways to hand more stuff off to Randall. I’m grateful for all of the loving support from our fans on social sites. They just gush with appreciation for bringing live feeds to them and show their support by sending more people to us who are buying more things and donating more. I’ve been learning about Facebook ads for the past two days via podcasts, videos and tutorials. I set up four campaigns (re set them actually, as I had them set all wrong) so I’ll be curious to see if that drives substantial changes in new sign ups to our mail list and more store sales. Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/ I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet. You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile! Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion. Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

A while back you listed for me a half dozen documentaries we should watch. We have been working our way through them and have decided to create a documentary. It will feature me playing donkey kong while walking on a wire held at each end by a mountain gorilla. Howard Baskin Advisory Board Chairman Big Cat Rescue "The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals." Anonymous Inside every older person there is a younger person wondering what the hell happened. The documentaries we had watched were, King of Kong (2006), Man on Wire (2008) and Virunga (2014) We had also watched the Imposter (2012) I really appreciate a night that has only one or two episodes of hot sweats. I slept 10.5 hours last night, which is rare and only remember waking up covered in sweat twice.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk