Serenity Springs Wildlife Center to Rescue Remaining Tigers from Missouri

    /24-7PressRelease/ - CALHAN, CO, September 06, 2008 - Serenity Springs Wildlife Center has stepped up to provide a new home for 15 tigers still remaining in Warrenton, Missouri, after a tragic accident ultimately led to a decision to close Wesa-A-Geh-Ya. The call went out to sanctuaries nationwide, and Serenity Springs is one of only three sanctuaries that stepped up to help. A deadline of September 16 was set to find new homes for all the animals, otherwise any remaining would be euthanized.

"This is what we do, rescue animals that have no where else to go" said Serenity Springs Wildlife Center's Assistant Operations Director, Julie Walker. "We can't sit by and do nothing." Walker has been working with G.W. Exotic Animal Park, after they took in about half the animals from Wesa-A-Geh-Ya, to insure all the animals would have a home.

Serenity Springs Wildlife Center (formerly known as Big Cats of Serenity Springs) has been taking care of non-domestic felines since 1993. Originally established as an education program for mountain lions, Serenity Springs' mission turned to saving big cats when Owner and Director Nick Sculac was asked to rescue a dozen animals after another sanctuary in southern Colorado closed. Serenity Springs is licensed by both state and federal authorities, and is the only facility in Colorado to carry a zoological license.

According to Walker, the rescue costs associated with relocating the 15 tigers will run upwards of $14,000. At a cost of $4.10 per mile, and 1502 miles roundtrip, it will be over $6,000 just to make the trip to Missouri and back home with their new charges. Then there's the dens - at a cost of about $500 apiece for the materials, that's almost $8,000.

Personnel from nearby Peterson Air Force base have agreed to help Serenity Springs build any remaining enclosures that will be needed, and all the necessary chain link fencing has already been donated. Sculac stated that with the support of the nationwide network of animals lovers, the local community, the donation of time and labor from the base and a team of dedicated volunteers, "we will get it done, we always do!"

To make donations to help with the rescue, please visit their website at www.serenityspringswildlife.org and click on the "donate" button, or mail donations to 24615 Scott Road, Calhan, Colorado, 80808.

Contact for more information: Julie Walker, Assistant Operations Director at [email protected] or by phone at 719-761-1120.

By Caz Oswald, Director of Public Relations, Serenity Springs Wildlife Center

About Serenity Springs Wildlife Center

Big Cats of Serenity Springs Inc. DBA Serenity Springs Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe, stable, and permanent home for non-domestic felines and other exotic wildlife. Through educational programs and community outreach, we strive to raise public awareness of the existence of the large numbers of captive wildlife and the continuing need for sanctuary from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Through introduction to, and education about, these magnificent creatures, we promote compassion and respect for all animals, while fostering recovery for endangered species.

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