CDFW Completes Relocation of All Animals at Wildlife Waystation
With the relocation of two chimps in early December, the California Division of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has moved all of the animals that had been residing on the now-closed Wildlife Waystation in Los Angeles County. These two be a part of eight different chimps moved final month to Chimp Haven, positioned close to Shreveport, Louisiana.
This closing transfer concludes CDFW’s involvement within the former animal sanctuary that closed out of the blue in 2019. The Wildlife Waystation had operated because the late Nineteen Seventies as a house for 1000’s of animals that have been abused, deserted and orphaned. However monetary difficulties led to the ability shutting down although virtually 500 animals have been nonetheless relying on care. Because the state company that regulates sanctuaries and refuges, CDFW stepped in to oversee efforts to seek out new accredited houses for the big variety of animals left on the facility. The 42 chimps stranded at Wildlife Waystation proved particularly tough to rehome.
“It was truly comparatively simple to seek out houses for lions, tigers, bears, jaguars, all types of primates, birds and reptiles,” mentioned CDFW Regional Supervisor Ed Pert. “Chimpanzees are a tough species to rehome. After it turned unlawful to do medical analysis on chimpanzees in 2015, U.S analysis services have been closing down or rehoming them. There hasn’t been sufficient area at good services to take all of them in. “
A overwhelming majority of the chimps residing on the Wildlife Waystation got here from a biomedical lab in New York state that shut down within the late Nineteen Nineties. The chimps have since been moved to sanctuaries in Washington, Florida, Louisiana and Texas.
The choice by the state to step in was vastly appreciated by individuals who had spent a few years making an attempt to offer excellent care for the animals.
“This isn’t usually what CDFW does,” mentioned Pert. “We needed to discover distinctive methods to do issues that wanted to occur rapidly and on an emergency ongoing foundation, like purchase meals for lions, tigers and bears, and get a contract to have water delivered.”
“CDFW lined all of the veterinary, well being care and meals bills for the animals,” mentioned former Wildlife Waystation Director Deanna Armbruster. “They helped us with safety, and different wants from electrical energy, to warmth and water.”
Regular fundraising the previous three years additionally made the relocation of the chimps a chance. CDFW relied on the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) to collect donations and safe new chimp residing preparations across the nation.
“There have been months the place we might speak to CDFW and say ‘do we’ve sufficient funds to maintain these chimps fed for an additional month?’ It was terrifying,” mentioned NAPSA Program Director Erika Fleury. “We’ve had over $4 million raised, and 1000’s of donors serving to us to make this occur.”
Fundraising continues by means of the NAPSA website www.primatesanctuaries.org to supply ongoing care and assist to the chimps.
Media Contact:
Tim Daly, CDFW Communications, (916)201-2958