Wildlife time!
The past couple weeks we have been extremely busy preparing for some exciting wildlife rescues.
Three differnt groups of wildlife will soon be headed to dramatically better lives in some of the best sanctuaries. Health checks, vaccine, blood tests, microchips and more need to be done for each animal to make sure they are fit to travel and meet all legal requirements of Lebanon and the importing countries.
In the coming weeks these endangered animals will leave the confinement of small metal cages with cement floors, and get to enjoy the closest environment to the wild as possible. In sanctuaries the welfare of the animal comes first, they will never be sold or traded, they will get the best food and veterinary care, and they will live in an enclosure mimicking their natural habitat.
Joined by wildlife vet Dr. Jean Christophe Gerard, over the course of this week we have begun the rescue process for a group of lions and tigers and a family of baboons.
Getting a family of energetic baboons to cooperate is no easy task! The males are first, and the large dominant male knew what to expect. He was the hardest as he would hide in areas where we could not reach him. The situation was even more difficult as the zoo was not designed to easily separate the animals, and we had to dart him while there were two other baboons in the cage. Once he was asleep the remaining male was very easy, and within minutes of receiving the anesthetic he was asleep and able to be handled safely.
The females ran around, showing their teeth, screaming and trying their best to intimidate us while we took blood from the two males. The procedures were finished and both males put back in the cage to wake up. As the males started to move around and sit up the door to the other cage was opened and the females ran in. They all check on the dominant male to ensure he was fine, and they surprised us as they took up positions on each side of him and in front of him - it was clear they were trying to protect him.
Now the crates are being constructed and flights arranged and soon these baboons will be off to a new life.
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