Out of Africa wildlife Sanctuary is in trouble

[Guest guest]

I know it's a little off subject but this is a great place.

No whips, no guns, cats are often raised right in the house.

The love there is tremendous. I thought I would pass it on in case

there is someone who can help.

 

To my friends and associates in ASPE, ASCE, SWE, SAME & APWA:

You may have seen appeals by Out of Africa Wildlife Park and others

(Sheriff Joe Arpaio, TV stations, etc.) for

assistance relocating to Verde Valley from Ft. McDowell Indian

Reservation. I'm not sure why the Ft. McDowell Indian

Community has given them an eviction notice (as of May 5, must be out

June 30), but am asking anyone able to help to do

so. (The Park management had planned an orderly move to property

purchased in Verde Valley after the Community said

they would not let the Park get any larger a year or so ago.)

The regular volunteers took their first day off Monday June 7th since

May 5th ... and they are pretty exhausted. There

is still much to do.

Besides labor ... with your own tools, if you have them, theirs if

not ... they need money because the animals have no

way to pay for their food until a new park is constructed (safe for

the visitors AND the animals. Obviously, this way

of moving is more expensive than planned, too.

They need 15 horse troughs (4-6 feet long or diameter) at least for

the summer. There is no shade at the new location

and the large cats need some way to get cool. There are other

specific needs, but they vary between the old site and

the new one. Do any of you have access to fence stretch equipment

available for building the new facilities?

Check www.outofafricapark.com for updates, contact information and a

donation challenge letter that starts by describing

the donors' experience Memorial Day. The Park's appeal says you can

start work any day after 8 am and work until 6 pm,

but they are working this week from 6 am on.

My personal interest began when my daughter in high school went to

work for them full time (summer) as a volunteer. Her

" pay " was to help feed the baby " cats " after the park closed.

Watching this activity one evening, I fell in love with

one of the animals ... and the work they are doing. Michel is now

nearly 32 years old.

If you have ideas or general questions, call me at 480-947-1640

(susanne.leckband @att.net). To volunteer, contact Doug

at Camp Verde (928-637-0078 or 928-300-0802) and Katie at 480-837-

6683 or Pinkie3012).

Thanks,

Susanne Leckband