Carole Baskins Diary

The CI Who Saved My Life Was James Garretson

And no stranger words could be uttered than that.

 

I spent the better part of 2006 and 2007 getting James Garretson shut down and ousted from Florida.  From what I could find, he started out preaching the gospel in TX by dragging along lions and tigers to revivals when he was 22.  In 2003 a woman had her arm ripped off by one of his tigers and she bled to death in under two minutes.  He started traveling with the Killer Tiger act because people would pay to see the tiger who killed a woman.

 

He brought a trailer load of big cats to Frost, FL where a neighbor and the now deceased Roger Figg, sent me numbers emails about the neglect of the cats and the decrepit conditions.  I complained to USDA and FWC but all they did was provide him cover, as is still their fashion.  I took it to the media and posted it online until there was enough outrage about him keeping 8 tigers in a box truck with no way to cool off in the Florida heat.  In typical, back yard breeder fashion, Garretson said, “Carole Baskin can have all my damn tigers.  I’ll just get more babies.”  

 

I was in no position to take his tigers at the time, so all I was asking is that the breeding stop and the cats get proper care.  

 

Finally USDA revoked his license and he tried to operate under his girlfriend’s name but strangely, USDA managed to figure out what was going on and refused, so he moved to Kauffman, TX to work under Marcus Cook’s license and apparently later to GW Zoo to work under Joe’s.  He hated me as much as any of them and so it comes as no surprise if Joe tried to pay him to kill me.

 

What blows my mind is that James would rat Joe out.  It’s become a pattern of people getting cozy with Joe, only to find him intolerable and want to turn on him, but this still baffles me.  Maybe he did it with the promise of immunity; which is what I understand Jeff Lowe has done.  James and Jeff are both in the liquidation business and there’s been no mention of James and Jeff continuing as business partners so I’m betting it is just a matter of time before they turn on each other.

 

In the end I believe we will learn that all three of them were in the murder for hire scheme together and something happened along the way that panicked them into throwing Joe under the bus in an effort to divert attention from their own involvement. 

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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

Howie’s Letter to Barbara Fisher (an Antle escapee) 

 

Barbara I have been thinking about what you said about a writer/reporter you could trust and who was skilled enough to get the story published in a way that would hopefully discourage other young women from being lured into this.  One came to mind this week.

 

Sharon Guynup is the writer who exposed the horrible Tiger Temple in Thailand. She is familiar with tiger issues and not afraid to take on something controversial. She has worked with National Geographic and has the reputation to get published.

 

She is not associated with us in any way, but we have met her a few times and she is speaking about the Tiger Temple work at a conference we are heading to tomorrow, so we will see her.  If you still think that is a direction you might want to pursue and would like to have an initial informal conversation with her I can run that by her.  Her interest and the timing might depend on how consumed she is with whatever she is working on now, but I think she would be very up front about that.

 

Separately there is one thing I forgot to ask you about when we talked on the phone but was reminded when I peeked at your Facebook page.  (I'm not much of a Facebook user. 😕)  You mention Antle having a 501c3 and I assume you are referring to the Rare Species Fund.

 

The IRS site where you look up nonprofits does not show it under that name, although sometimes nonprofits are registered under one name but commonly known under a d/b/a name.  http://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/

 

I made a $25 donation to see what the receipt said.  By law a receipt from a 501c3 must state that it is from a 510c3 and contain the FEIN.  The receipt from RSA did not.

 

Tax-exempt status statement: Statement that the organization is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Include the nonprofit’s EIN in case the donor wants to check the charity’s tax-exempt status.

Normally a 501c3 will prominently let people know of the nonprofit status. There is nothing on the RSA website that I see indicating it is a nonprofit and no financial reporting.

 

Separately, at least one of the claimed conservation efforts is misleading.

 

India Tiger Lantern Project

 

As the human population expands in India, people encroach on tiger territory. What once were pristine tiger preserves now house more than a million villagers. To meet their need for heat and light, villagers collect wood, depleting even further the shrinking tiger habitats. The RSF works with The Corbett Foundation to supply villagers from Kanha National Park in central India with lanterns and solar powered charging stations. The results have been outstanding. Communities that lived in darkness now have a renewable source of light. Children are able to study after dark. Villagers have portable lanterns to help guard against crop raiding herbivores. The reduction in fossil fuel consumption has improved the health of villagers. Equally important, encroachment on tiger habitats has gone down.

 

The way this reads it implies an ongoing relationship with Corbett. We know Corbett well because we donate to their work annually.  Antle did make a donation or donations to Corbett prior to 2015.  However, when Corbett found out about Antle's breeding/petting operation they returned his donation that year and advised they did not want to be associated with him and requested not to be mentioned on his website. If his entry on his website were in the past tense at least it would be true, even if very inconsiderate to ignore their wishes.  But "works with" implies an ongoing relationship he does not have.  I also wonder how many of his donations may have been tied to import permits for animals but have no specific information on that.

 

Anyway, since you mention the 501c3 I wondered if you had any actual evidence of there being one, or perhaps if the colleague you mentioned who was involved in the financial and administrative side of things might. I certainly do not want to say it is no

ZOO LAWSUIT

Howie put this together for me to recap the lawsuit we’ve had against Joe Exotic Schreibvogel.  

 

2014-04-15

cv-14-377

 

Suit filed

Defendants:

 

• Zoo 1, Zoo 2, Directors of Zoo 1 Reinke, Finlay, Corona, McAnallys

• Shirley was later added as a defendant because tax return said assets transferred to her, she gave deposition saying they were not, she only owned land, and was dismissed.

• Individual directors later dismissed to increase chances for Motion for Summary Judgment.Claims:

• Fraudulent Transfers/Oklahoma Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act

• Successor Liability/Corporate Alter Ego

• Individual Liability for Dissolved Entity’s Debts (the five directors)Layman’s Argument: Zoo 2 is really Zoo 1 and liable for the judgment.2015-10Mediation reaches settlement agreement, Lowe scuttles it following week.2016-02-02RULING:

• Just before trial Zoo 2 consented to judgment leaving damages for court to decide. 2/2/16 J. Cauthron granted MSJ, set damages, entered an Agreed Judgment and Permanent Injunction against Zoo 2 in favor of BCR forbidding further transfer of assets. Basically rules Zoo 2 is Zoo 1 and liable for judgment.2016-02-05+Joe announces Zoo 3 will take over managing the zoo. Zoo 2 dissolved.2016-02-13Lowe forms (1) Zoo 3 LLC, (2) Big Cat Institute OK nonprofit, (3) GW Development LLC.2016-03-04Our Motion for Receiver2016-03-10Our Motion for contempt for violating injunction against transfer of assets2016-03-10Our Motion for Receiver Supplement: At court’s request we submit supplement recommending Klingenberg be Receiver and advising court of Zoo 3.2016-03-14RULING:

• Order for Receiver over Zoo 2 and Zoo 3

• Hearing to show cause re contempt for transfer

 

Lowe hires Ryan Leonard of Meyer, Leonard & Edinger where J. Cauthron’s husband works so she recuses and case goes to J. Miles-LaGrange.

2016-03-21

Zoo 3 files to intervene and vacate Receiver

2016-09-07

Atty Leonard moves to withdraw. Denied two days later. Then replaced by Justin Meek and Melanie Christians.

2016-10-05

Court approves Receiver invoice for $50k and orders Zoo 3 to pay.

2016-10-20

Zoo 3 Motion to Intervene broadly

2016-12-08

Receiver Motion for Contempt for not paying $50k invoice and Motion for acceptance of 2nd invoice for $35k.

2016-12-16

Claims by Zoo 3: Zoo 3 Intervenes, asks for declaratory judgment that Zoo 3 not Zoo 2 and not liable for judgment, makes following claims: (I don’t have this filing, info from ruling on our Motion to dismiss)

 

• wrongful receivership

• abuse of process

• tortious interference (based on contact with Travis Horn)2017-01-17Our Motion to dismiss Zoo 3 claims2017-07-21RULING: (On Zoo 3’s Motion to vacate order for receiver and stay receivership)

• Vacates order appointing Receiver

• Grants stay of Receivership pending ruling on Zoo 3 motion

• Requires Receiver & BCR return any property

• Set hearing schedule on motion to appoint Receiver2017-09-11RULING: (On our Motion to dismiss their claims)

• Granted re declaratory judgment but could amend, denied re other claims.2017-09-22Zoo 3 amends claim for declaratory judgment and adds LaWanna post to Travis Horn as evidence of tortious interference and adds claim for Defamation/Libel based on LaWanna post.2017-10-06Our answer to Zoo 3 claims and our Counterclaims:

• Fraudulent Transfers/OK Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act

• Successor Liability/Corporate Alter EgoLayman’s Argument: Zoo 3 is Zoo 22017-10-06Receiver Motion for 3rd invoice $24k2017-10-26Zoo 3 Motion to dismiss our counterclaims2017-10-26J. Palk appointed and in November case transferred to him.2017-12-01Zoo 3 reply to dismiss our counterclaims2018-07-11RULINGS:

• Zoo 3 in contempt for not paying first Receiver bill $50k. Hearing set Aug 28 but Lowe firing counsel 8/24 delayed.  29 days to obtain counsel and counsel will likely ask for time to learn case.

• Receiver reinstated

• Our Motion to add BCI and GW Dev granted

• BCR owes 60% of Receiver 2nd & 3rd invoices minus few thousand relate

My heart rate spiked from 59 to 115 and hurt like Hell

I’ve been spending so much time in gratitude that I was more than a little shocked to deal with such heart pain this morning.

 

I was riding the last quarter mile to the sanctuary when my heart rate spiked from 59 (which is really low given the biking) to 115.  I felt so nauseous I had to lean over double on the handle bars to keep going.  When I arrived at the sanctuary, I wanted to duck in to the Tour Waiting Area and lie down on the benches but a tour was watching the rules, so I got my mail and continued to bike over to Natalia the Amur Leopard.

 

Texts were starting to fly back and forth on the Vet group that she was lame, moaning and sitting in a mud puddle.  I wanted to see her for myself.  By the time I got there she was out of the mud and peacefully bathing herself in the presence of Kathryn and Afton who seemed to have it under control.  They got some pain meds into her and we will re evaluate after lunch. 

 

I peddled on to my office and have been laying on the floor, in the dark, for the past hour or more.  My heart rate had dropped back into the mid 50s, and then had been increasing, while I was on the floor, up to 99 where it stayed until my watch died.  I’m going to eat something and see if that helps or hurts the nausea.

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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

Barbara Fisher Describes Antle as a Cult Leader

 

Today Howie and I spoke on the phone with Barbara Fisher because she reached out to me, after the news of Joe’s hired assassin heading to S.C. first because she wanted to let me know that Antle has 10-12 illegal assault weapons.  She said Antle told her he knew the machine guns were illegal and he kept them in a display case in her bedroom during the 8 years she lived at his home.

 

She gave us a lot more insight as to what causes decent women to get sucked into cults like Antle’s.  What she described was exactly what I’ve been watching on a Netflix show called Inside the Criminal Minds, Episode on Cults.  She knows nearly half a dozen women who have since escaped his grasp and will be trying to get them to come forward with their stories so that he can no longer lure innocent children into his sick web.  

 

Below is her article from 3/28/17 http://iowainformer.com/commentary/2017/03/bhagavan-doc-antle-rolling-stone-tigers/

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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

2018-09-09 Carole Baskin's Diary

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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

Joe Exotic Arrested for Murder for Hire

Today Joe Schreibvogel Maldonado-Passage, aka “Joe Exotic,” was arrested after indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on two counts of “murder for hire” for seeking to hire someone to murder Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue. Maldonado had made threats online over a period of years including a video of him shooting in the head a blow up doll dressed to look like Carole and an image hanging her in effigy.

 

“It is important to understand that this is not the isolated act of one crazy bad apple,” Baskin said. “A significant part of our mission has been to stop mistreatment and exploitation big cats at roadside zoos, particularly those who rip tiger cubs from their mothers at birth to charge the public to pet and take photos with them. Because Big Cat Rescue has been a leader in working to stop what we view as abuse of big cats and been very effective in our work, I have received multiple death threats over the years, including at one point a number of snakes placed in my mailbox. According to the FBI, animal abuse is highly correlated with human-to-human violence.”

 

Maldonado ran, in our view, one of the most notorious cub petting roadside zoos in the country in Wynnewood, OK. Years ago he also operated a traveling exhibit that would bring cubs to malls throughout the Midwest and Southwest. When Big Cat Rescue educated the malls about the miserable life this created for the cubs and the malls started cancelling Maldonado’s traveling exhibit, Maldonado retaliated by renaming his traveling show “Big Cat Rescue Entertainment” in order to confuse the public into thinking the show was operated by Big Cat Rescue. In 2011 Big Cat Rescue sued for violations of its intellectual property rights and in 2013 was granted a consent judgment for over $1 million. Litigation to collect on the judgment has been ongoing since then in Oklahoma.

 

We are ENORMOUSLY grateful to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the FBI, the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and the U.S. Marshall's Service for the many months of incredibly hard work that went into this investigation and arrest.

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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

Press Release for Announcement of Joe’s Arrest

Howie did a great job on this:

 

 

Media Contact:

Carole Baskin, CEO

813.493-4564

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Roadside Zoo Owner Charged with Effort to Murder Big Cat Rescue CEO

 

TAMPA, Fla. – September XX, 2018 – Today Joe Schreibvogel Maldonado Passage, aka “Joe Exotic,” was arrested on various federal charges including “murder for hire” for attempting, on a number of occasions, to hire an assassin to murder Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue (BCR).

 

“It is important to understand that this is not the isolated act of one crazy bad apple,” Baskin said. “The people who mistreat and exploit big cats at roadside zoos, particularly those who rip tiger cubs from their mothers at birth to charge the public to pet and take photos with them, are universally disreputable people who are dishonest and dangerous. Because BCR has been a leader in working to stop the abuse of big cats and been very effective in our work, I have received multiple death threats for years, including at one point a number of snakes placed in my mailbox.”

 

Until recently Maldonado ran one of the most notorious cub petting roadside zoos in the country in Wynnewood, OK. Years ago he also operated a traveling exhibit that would bring cubs to malls throughout the Midwest and Southwest. When BCR educated the malls about the miserable life this created for the cubs and the malls started cancelling Maldonado’s traveling exhibit, Maldonado retaliated by renaming his traveling show “Big Cat Rescue Entertainment” in order to confuse the public into thinking the show was operated by BCR. In 2011 BCR filed suit for violation of its intellectual property rights and in 2013 was granted a consent judgment for over $1 million. Litigation to collect on the judgment has been ongoing since then in Oklahoma.

 

Law enforcement officials in Oklahoma warned Baskin of the Maldonado threat months ago and advised on precautions to take. Both Baskin and her husband had obtained concealed weapons licenses years ago due to previous threats and have carried weapons in their vehicles since advised of this specific threat.

 

About Big Cat Rescue: Located in Tampa, Fla., Big Cat Rescue is one of the largest accredited sanctuaries dedicated to providing a permanent home for abused and abandoned big cats. The nonprofit organization is accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries, is certified by Independent Charities of America as a “Best in America Charity,” and has consistently received the highest four-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound and transparent non-profit management.  Home to more than 60 exotic big cats, the sanctuary’s mission is to provide the best home we can for the cats in our care, end abuse of big cats in captivity and prevent extinction of big cats in the wild. For more information, visit www.bigcatrescue.org.

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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 entertai

Dennis Holt aka Justin Gibbs Called Today to Ask About Simba Leopard

509.332.2443 was the Pullman, WA phone he called from.

 

He said he was bitten here as a kid and now his kids ask about the scars.  He wanted to show them a photo of Simba and wondered if I’d help.  I pointed him to Simba’s web page BigCatRescue.org/Simba-2 and he said it would be very helpful.  I told him he should use the opportunity to teach his kids that they should never pet wild cats.

 

He laughed and said it was ironic that I’d say that given this was a petting zoo.  I didn’t bother arguing with him, but figured if he really wasn’t out to make trouble, he’d figure out his dad had lied to him.   I remember what happened, even though he was only two or so at the time.

 

It was back in the 90s and Sandy Wittkopp saw that some man, carrying a baby, had apparently forced open our front gate and was heading toward Siberian Lynx.  We both ran out to intercede and by the time we got there the father had climbed over the barricade and was hanging his kid on the side of the cage so he could “see the pretty kitties.”

 

I’ll have to pull the old file, but I’m thinking the kid was scratched by Katmandu the Siberian Lynx, not Simba the leopard.  It wasn’t that big of a scratch, so I’m surprised that he’s got any scar at all 20+ years later.   His parents were in the throes of a divorce at the time and I was able to get his father to drop the case by offering to testify against him as a reckless parent in their custody case.   I’m sure that’s NOT the story Dennis’ dad told him though. 

 

Later Note:  Looking back on this in 2022 and knowing the deception used by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin during the filming of Tiger King, I wonder if this was just a set up by them to try and get some sort of “dirt” on me and the sanctuary to try and make us look no different than the animal abusers they glorified.

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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

Frankly I'm not clear in my head how all of this VR stuff ties into our cats and how it can stop zoos from eventually having animals. At some point I'd like to have a discussion with you about it all.  I just don’t know why zoos would be motivated to be on board with it. And I would think, sort of like camera traps, seeing big cats captured in film in the wild would be preferable to seeing captive cats like ours.

 

Howie tried to answer:

 

I think Carole's logic is that like any disruption to an industry that forces a company to change in response to losing business, if we can make this available enough and popular enough, if zoo attendance declined, they may see it as an alternative.  But if not, if we are successful in getting business to decline and they close, that is fine too.  This is a long term play, not something that would happen overnight.  Just like there is a big article in Business Week this week about Tyson investing heavily in Beyond Meat and companies that are managing to grow real meat in the laboratory versus raising and slaughtering animals to be ahead of the curve instead of a victim of it. May take many years, but we could be the germination of it.

 

My answer:

 

There is the added benefit that no one, other than a few crazies who draw their personas from it, really likes working with captive big cats.  They are difficult, expensive, dangerous and watching them in captivity just breaks your heart every single day, if you can see the world through their eyes...even for a moment.

 

When Kenneth Feld and I were talking about this in the parking lot back in the early 2000s he said he hated the animal business and would be out of it as soon as society said they didn't want it any more.  I have to believe that upper management in zoos must feel the same way, but they fear losing their income and status in the community if they voice that opinion.

 

VR gives them the opportunity to keep everything going, without dealing with wild animals, if the tech grows to provide a better experience than live animals.  You are right that wild footage would always be the premium, but no one is going to develop that tech unless someone proves there is a viable market for it.  That's what I see as our role.

 

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.  These are my views and opinions. 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