After the Rain!

A few days full of rain means we've got things to do here at IEAS! We have quite a few hills on our 50+ acres and flowing rainwater means we've had some wash outs. For the next week or so, Richard and Roy will be using our tractors and equipment to fix the holes and valleys. This is a time consuming project that will use considerable amount of diesel to complete. Because of your support, we'll be able to get it done!

But we're not complaining about the rain! It was definitely much needed. It helped water the grounds, cooled us down, and, a particularly exciting result, it filled the bear ponds in Bear Orphanage! The black bears have been loving having these ponds full. They have become the "hang out" spot during the day, and we've found bears there sitting by the edge, splashing around, or sleeping in the brush nearby. Several of the tours this week have been lucky enough to see Scooter, Scamp, and Greta splashing around in the water, and it truly is a treat to see them so happy thanks to the rainy weather!

Can you spot all three bears?

The "Stink" Face!

Have you ever seen one of the IEAS felines making this face...

or this one...

Well, as funny as this face is (we call it the "stink face"), it actually has a purpose!

This is called the Flehmen response. Felines (and some other animals including horses) do this to draw an intriguing scent to their vomeronasal organ, called the Jacobson's organ. While it looks like they are being silly, this pressing back of their lips is a way for the cats to increase the potency of a particular smell. Essentially, they are smelling it more strongly and getting a better idea of what it is, whether it is the scent of another feline, the scent of prey, or just an unfamiliar smell! 

But don't worry! Even though you now know how important this behavior is, it's still okay to laugh! It is, after all, a very funny face! 

Did it really rain?!

We couldn't believe it either, but it actually rained here last night! We had quite the storm, full of thunder and lightning, and our favorite part - precipitation! It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to wet the place and cool us down for a while.

Danvir and Sajani enjoying the cool weather after the rain. 

The animals here at the Sanctuary were LOVING it. Many of them were out in the rain cooling off, and those that weren't came out of their dry houses as soon as it slowed down to enjoy the drop in temperature. Danvir and Sajani were in the group that stayed outside through the storm. They lounged on their perch for part of the rainstorm, and even spent a few minutes in their pool! Saphy preferred to be inside her cave while it rained, but once it was over, she was particularly active and playful. She came over to the fence when we came by, so we sat down for a visit!

Sapphire coming to the fence for a visit with her keepers!

One Year Ago...

Almost exactly one year ago, we welcomed Danvir and Sajani to their new home at IEAS, and we truly can't believe how time as flown. These two lovable tigers won their way into our hearts in a matter of hours, and our love and care for them has only grown in the past year!

For those of you who don't know, Danvir and Sajani were rescued from the Wild Animal Orphanage in San Antonio with the help of the USDA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the State Attorney General's office. Upon the termination of the Wild Animal Orphanage, the sanctuary housed almost 200 animals suddenly in need of a new home. At IEAS, we knew that we had to do our part and more than happily welcome two Bengal tigers to our family.

Danvir and Sajani instantly took to their new home, and fully embraced everything it has to offer. On their first day here, both of these two tigers spent tons of time in their pools, enjoying the cool place to splash around. Not much has changed since then. We still see both Danvir and Sajani lounging in their pools all day long. It is without a doubt their favorite place to hang out!

We know that many of you have come to love Danvir and Sajani as much as we do, and we hope that you know just how much your support makes their new life possible!

To continue to support Danvir and Sajani's new life, click here. It means the world to them.

Why YOU should tour IEAS!

From the road, it's difficult to imagine just how much lies behind the IEAS signs. The entrance gates of IEAS span a length of some 100 yards of highway. However, once you’ve parked and your tour begins, you step into more than 40 acres of amazing experiences. Even without the animals, the walk along the tour route would be serene and relaxing, surrounded by trees and nature. The addition of passing by such a large number of truly breathtaking exotic animals makes the trek almost surreal.

All it takes is a moment of locking eyes with Ron, a majestic male lion or a content and loving chuff from Simba III, a tiger, to make you realize how magnificent these animals are, and better yet, to show you how lucky you are to be sharing time and space with them. It is often surprising how quickly and easily you can make a connection with an animal resident. Walking through the Sanctuary and seeing these animals, all of whom were rescued by IEAS after being abused, abandoned, neglected, or confiscated from someone unwilling or unable to care for them, brings to light the realities of exotic animal ownership. The resident animals are incredible ambassadors for both their wild cousins and animals who are currently in situations that they once lived in.

The added satisfaction of knowing that your visit has helped to protect and care for the animals you see, ensuring their happiness and majesty, surely makes that decision to finally stop in and see what’s behind those gates worth it! For more information about tours, click here!

We hope to see you soon at IEAS!

UPDATE: Sapphire!

Have you been wondering how the Sanctuary's newest resident, a cougar named Sapphire, is doing since her arrival at IEAS two months ago? Well, in short, she's doing wonderfully!  

After spending the majority of her life indoors, Saphy had some major adjusting to do when she moved into her new outdoor home. Complete with toys, perches, grass, trees, a cave, a hammock, a house, and more, the habitat is a natural, enriching space for her, but a big change nonetheless. She took less time to explore than many new arrivals. Within the first few days, we spotted her in her cave (her favorite spot, for sure), on her perches, and even rolling around in the grass in the evening time. She even has a favorite toy, her hanging buoy, which we have spotted her batting around as she lays on her back beneath it. Over the past few months, her curiosity has stayed strong. She loves to keep and eye on what's going on around her, particularly in the evenings. 

Some of the most incredible progress she has made since her arrival has been in the behavioral changes we've seen. Her wild instincts have been popping up here and there, and we couldn't be happier to see that a natural environment brings out the cougar in her! Her favorite day of the week is definitely Thursday, the IEAS Bone Day, where she receives a few turkey necks in lieu of her normal diet. When she sees the gator coming with her treats, instinctual mode kicks in and Saphy is ready to pounce on those turkey necks the second they are inside her habitat!  

Another "cougar" habit that Saphy has is burying her feces. This is a normal behavior for this species of cat, but Saphy has taken it to a whole new level recently. When we pick up her habitat, we are certain to find one big mountain of dirt and grass that she has built up since the last pick up day. We sift through and sanitize, but as soon as we are done, she is back out shuffling her pile back together! Such a funny girl!

So, all in all, Sapphire is doing great. She's got a good appetite, stays cool in her cave and under her misters, and even enjoys visits from her trusted human caregivers. We are so happy to have her as part of the IEAS family. 

To find out more about Sapphire, click here. 

To donate to support her new life at IEAS, click here! 

New Ways to Tour IEAS!

With the school year on the horizon, it’s a great time to start thinking about field trips. The Sanctuary offers conservation education tours that allow students to become completely immersed in new information with the added excitement of seeing the subject material right in front of them! There are few better ways to learn about exotic animals and conservation than to be observing them first hand!

Is your school (or your child’s school) too far away to visit IEAS here in Boyd, TX? Are the students who want to come to IEAS too young to take a tour in person (less than seven years old)? Well, don’t you worry – IEAS has gone VIRTUAL! The Sanctuary now offers virtual tours for students via Skype! It’s a great way for students around the country to meet the Sanctuary animals and learn about their natural histories and conservation efforts. The classroom will follow its tour guide through the Sanctuary, meeting tigers, lions, jaguars, grizzly bears, black bears, coatis, and much more!

We are so happy to be taking advantage of the opportunities that technology is offering us. You should, too! Call 940-433-5091 or e-mail us at iefsedu@aol.com for more information!

Donations for the Animals

While they are here, interns are able to learn how to care for all of the animals who live at IEAS.  They not only learn how to care about their physical and emotional needs, but also what it takes to care for them financially!  Interns take part in all aspects of fundraising for the Sanctuary.  They are able to guide our conservation education tours, from which all of the proceeds go directly to the animals.  They also take part in our Grants and Proposal Writing class in order to learn how to approach foundations and companies for donations.  In just this past week, we have received several donations thanks to intern’s written requests.  As they have in many years past, Root-Lowell Manufacturing Co. in Lowell, MI donated six Flo-Master Bleach Sprayers to the Sanctuary.  These sprayers are essential for keeping the habitats, houses and waters sanitary and clean.  Additionally, Flexovit Abrasives in Angola, NY donated grinding wheels which are necessary for many of the construction projects that take place here at IEAS.  We are currently rebuilding several old houses that have succumb to both time and extreme weather conditions.  These grinding wheels will be a tremendous help in completing these new and improved houses for the animals. 

                                                         

Another part of our fundraising that the interns are able to participate in is to go out and solicit help from local companies.  Recently, our summer interns all headed out to several stores in surrounding areas to see if there might be any way for them to help the animals.  Thanks to caring individuals that wanted to help, they did not come back empty handed!  Home Depot in Euless, TX donated three $25 gift cards so that we can purchase items to help the animals.  AGvantage in Decatur, TX donated a 75ft hose and insulators for our electric fencing that is used in the bear habitats. 

The interns are so excited that their hard work has paid off and has been able to help all of the animals who call IEAS home.  They have even started writing more letters in hopes of receiving more items for the Sanctuary.  We are so grateful to all of the caring individuals who believe in our cause and strive to aid us in our mission to provide these magnificent animals with the best possible life that we can.  Thank you so much!

Check out all of the generous individuals and businesses that have supported IEAS!

Building Danvir and Sajani's Pool!

Well, you've seen how Danvir and Sajani loved their new and improved pool (and if you haven't, click here), but are you wondering about the steps it took to get there? Building or developing on an existing pool is a process of layers. From cinderblocks, to mortar, to cement, there is a very specific set of steps we take to ensure the result will be sturdy, water tight, and most important, just right for the animals!

Below is a look at the pool coming together step by step! Take a look!

In Honor of a Very Special Supporter and Friend of the Animals

It is my honor to announce that Bear Orphanage will be called Dorfman Bear Orphanage! Mr. Louis Dorfman, a long time friend, supporter and contributor has devoted himself to the welfare of the sanctuary and all the animals for the last 16 years. Not only has he supported the sanctuary, but he has given his time as the Animal Behaviorist to help provide all the animals the best quality of life possible here at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary and also serves as Chairman of the Board Directors. Without Mr. Dorfman’s generosity and support the Dorfman Bear Orphanage would have only been a dream. Now it is a natural habitat on 10 acres and home to 11 orphaned bears that have a wonderful life thanks to a man that all animals call Friend!

“Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing.” Alexander Pope

Could YOU relax this much in a tree?!

Every morning, we see Scoundrel up in his favorite tree, so relaxed and comfortable that he is very literally just "hanging out!" We know that black bears are adept climbers, with claws specially designed for the task, but their agility and comfort in trees never ceases to amaze us!

As Scoundrel woke up on his high tree limbs today, he tossed and turned as if he had all the room in the world. This shows that even half asleep, Scoundrel was very aware of his positioning and balance! We absolutely love seeing the bears this happy, confident, and comfortable in the natural setting we are so fortunate to be able to provide for them in Bear Orphanage!

Danvir and Sajani: Pool Remodeling!

Danvir and Sajani are pool lovers! They are spotted taking a dip every day, several times a day. For that reason, we are really excited about the remodeling we are currently working on for their pool. In just a few days, these two water loving tigers will have a bigger pool, complete with waterfall!

Interns are getting their first taste of pool building. This experience, along with their newly learned methods of re-mortaring and cementing, will help them in their futures as animal caretakers. Today, we started the foundation work for the fall, and tomorrow, we will begin building up the sides of the pool and putting in the pipe work for the pump!

Sajani kept a watchful eye on the renovations, and we're hoping to obtain her approval with the end result! A few splashes and dunk down into the fall will show us that she loves it!

Meet Christi!

If you've been to IEAS, you may have seen Christi getting work done all around the Sanctuary grounds. Christi Gilbreth is the Curator and Assistant Animal Behaviorist at IEAS, and she has been working here for more than seven years!

Christi graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. Before coming to IEAS, she spent a year helping rehabilitating and releasing native wildlife at Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Kendalia, TX. There, she also helped care for resident animals, including bears, jaguars, cougars, and a variety of primates.

Upon her arrival at IEAS as an intern in December of 2003, Christi completed her internship and was asked to stay on as a keeper. She has since earned her current titles. During her time at IEAS, Christi has helped care for the resident animals while teaching interns the ins and outs of animal care and daily Sanctuary operations. She also co-founded SWAVA, an organization created to share information with sanctuary workers and volunteers in the hopes of improving the lives of captive animals in sanctuaries everywhere.

Christi has also spent considerable time working alongside Animal Behaviorist Louis Dorfman. She has helped raise two cheetah cubs, five white tiger cubs, two baby bobcats, a cougar cub, and eight black bear cubs. She has learned a huge amount since coming to IEAS and continues to learn something new every day!

Come out to IEAS to visit Christi and the animals in her care! 

See you soon! 

Make Your Donation Go Twice As Far!

Looking for a way to help IEAS? Well, if you work for one of the companies below, your donation to the Sanctuary can be MATCHED by your company! Below are the logos of the companies we know have matching gift programs. If you know that the company you work for also has a program and you don't see it on the list, let us know and we'll add it! 

Click HERE to find out how your companies donation program works! If you're having trouble, call our office at 940-433-5091 and we'll do our best to help you help us!

Thanks for all that you do for IEAS!

What are YOUR state's laws?

Did you know that the states in our country have varying degrees of laws relating to private possession of exotic animals? There are ranges of laws and requirements across the U.S., and some are much more strict than others. The map below depicts the four levels of law severity. What are YOUR state laws?

20 states have BAN ON PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF EXOTIC ANIMALS - including at least large cats (some ban all wild cats), wolves, bears, reptiles, most non-human primates. These states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.


9 states have PARTIAL BAN ON PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF EXOTIC ANIMALS. This allows the ownership of some exotics, but not others. This level includes Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Virginia.


12 states require the "owner" of an exotic animal to OBTAIN A PERMIT OR LICENSE from the state agency to own the animal. These states are Arizona, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Texas.


9 states require NO LICENSE OR PERMIT TO OWN AN EXOTIC ANIMAL. These states may regulate some aspect of the ownership (entry permit, vet certificate) but some have no governing methods. These states are Alabama, Idaho, MIssouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

_________________________

As supporters of IEAS, we are sure that you are all well aware of the fact that exotic animals do not make good pets. Exotic animal ownership situations are both dangerous to the "owners" and other people around and extremely detrimental to the animal. One only needs to take one tour of IEAS to learn about how harmful living in less than ideal conditions can be for an animal. Nala, for example, came to IEAS after being so poorly taken care of that she was malnourished and suffering from severe osteoporosis, with tiny fractures in almost every bone in her body. When she arrived at the Sanctuary, she could barely lift her own head. It took a great deal of care get Nala to a healthy state, and now she is an ambassador for animals suffering in homes and backyards across the country. 

It is always important to stay informed about the laws in your state. Knowing what is and isn't okay can help you decide when authorities need to be contacted. We urge you to get in touch with your region's lawmakers and authorities to learn more about the laws in your state and to voice concerns!