Waching daily Aug 28 2018

[Music]

Mundi, Story of a rescue

The signing of a secret agreement between the executive and the owner of an elephant sanctuary

under construction in the United States, puts at risk the life of Mundi, an elephant of

36 years that he has lived since 1988 in the zoo from Puerto Rico Juan A Rivero on Mayagüez.

The contract that the Government of Puerto Rico has not given details authorizes the complex

and risky move of the 9,000 pound pachyderm, that was rescued by this Research Center

30 years ago.

Carol Buckley the owner of the Elephant Refuge North America

in Georgia, take the transaction for granted and ensures on his facebook account that the

contract with the executive is one; iron clad armored, irrefutable that forces without return

back to the government of Puerto Rico. The activist a fundraising campaign has begun

of funds to get the $ 300,000 that It costs your transfer by plane despite the

dangers that it poses for the animal.

In the plane these animals usually go to sedate, right. They are going to put some drugs to keep them

quiet on the road where will they go?

What is the problem with this? It has been found that there are times when the drug does not make the right effect.

And if Mundi loses this effect while flying in an airplane, the protocol and everything

that they are military, they know; that they are going to put it to sleep, because they can not allow

This plane has a problem in that serious plane and that plane then falls into a place where there are people.

Ok. If she goes crazy and starts to sing and can not control it. It's Euthanasia.

They're going to put her to sleep. In an interview with the newspaper El Nuevo Día on August 7, 2018.

Buckley admits that the contract includes a unusual clause that frees the Government from

Puerto Rico of any responsibility in case of accidents during transport from

the Mayagüez Zoo. The transfer of Mundi became public in August 2017, after

that Governor Ricardo Rosselló will create a commission to investigate allegations

of improper handling of animals at the zoo which manages the Department of Resources

Natural. A commission that did not include No member of the work team of the

Zoological and Municipal Government of Mayagüez. The assisted death of animals in the Zoo

at the end of 2016 and that of other puppies of lion in February of 2017, raised serious

questions and produced several investigations. The first one was requested by the mayor of Mayagüez

January 12, 2017. The ocular views, the evaluations of medical protocols and

Interviews with staff, caregivers, biologists and zoo veterinarians, demonstrated

contrary to the denounced that the situation It had been handled correctly. Three reports

of the commission of the western region of the Chamber of Representatives, recommend that

the elephant remains in mayagüez. The board of veterinarians of puerto rico recommends

the same. Buckley, recognizes that the elephant is very well maintained. Does not show physical damage

nor psychological.

However in August of 2017 Governor Rosselló had already decided

that Mundi was leaving and he did not rule out closing the zoo. The plan for its restructuring

is the work of the first lady, Beatriz Rossello, whose office presented the camera

only paper in favor of the transfer of Mundi. Mundi is alone, i is not fair to her

and if we are going to create a generation of children more sensitive, we should start at home and give

love and respect to all living beings and Mundi, deserves to be with other people, another, others

little elephants like her. By the way in the sanctuary Georgia Mundi would live alone.

Even though the Vox digital newspaper has identified one by one to 65 elephants that year worked

in circuses in the United States. Mundi would serve to become a sanctuary, what is now simply an empty space

It seems to me that it is a disastrous decision and that we should not take that decision,

until this lady who has been raising, thousands of dollars in the name of Mundi to take it, has other elephants

When I start to investigate, I have, find out that Mundi goes to a sanctuary where the first elephant will be her

A sanctuary that has not yet been completed and that is not even certified.

Despite that Buckler

has been recognized by prestigious international organizations

She used Tarra the famous elephant for years as an attraction in circuses and other shows.

In 2009 the Board of Directors of the Elephant Santuary in Tennesse that

She founded with his partner Scott Blais removed from her position under serious

accusations, including mishandling a tuberculosis outbreak. What affected some

of the elephants and several keepers. In 2010 was definitively expelled.

The court dismissed her allegations.Even her famous elephant Tarra, remains in the

Sanctuary of Tennesse by judicial decision. Buckley, requested visitation rights to Tarra, arguing

her close emotional relationship with her. That is what the Mundi caregivers demand today

the welfare of the animal. That the long and close relationship of affection that unites them.

How would you feel if you know that will break your family. And part of the process

to break your family is to make a trip and a crossing to an unknown place so that

your family will end up breaking, that feeling is the that we share a lot of employee at the Zoo

of Puerto Rico and not only employees but the people who visit us and have known

to Mundi in different facets. Mundi had 6 years when he arrived at the zoo. Although

little is known about her before arriving Mayagüez, on April 4, 1988. Because of his age and

the date of his arrival is presumed to be part of the group of 63 elephants that the millionaire

Arthur Jones, sack of Africa by plane, in a complex maneuver that took her from her

natal Zimbabwe. To his private estate in Florida. Then it would appear as an attraction in the circus.

Genetic tests performed by specialists of the College of Mayagüez. They confirmed their origin

of Zimbabwe. Her file indicates that when came showed ocular discharge in her eye

right and it was medicated. An ophthalmological examination made later confirmed that the

Elephant has total blindness in her right eye. Mundi lives in Mayagüez 30 years ago. Is

the most emblematic symbol of this institution, scientific, cultural research center

conceived by the zoologist and Puerto Rican herpetologist; Juan A Rivero

in the year 1954. Mundi has an area of 15,000 square feet. A superior space

at 5400 square feet per elephant that they require. Her daily diet includes

about 225 pounds of very varied food. Three experienced caregivers and a biologist are responsible for her welfare.

Professionals that contrary to the indicated by the Buckley they are not willing to accompany her

on her trip to a place unknown to her. The opposition to the move of Mundi is solid.

There is social and community and political support of majority and minority. Snatch Mundi

of what has been his home in the Zoo of Mayagüez. It would mean the final closure

of the institution, which is also an important Tourist and economic resource for the city.

A resource that has served several generations well of Puerto Ricans in the past 64 years.

I will not allow its closure as I told you. Not much less to tsken out Mundi from Mayagüez.

This is her home. It is well maintained and cared for. I hope you do not allow it to be taken from Mayagüez either.

During the next months we will be convening the selected members who are part of the legal structure created

To prepare a Master Plan for the future development of the Puerto Rico Zoo.

The Trust is composed of Representatives of the Department of Recreation and Sports, The Municipality, The College and two representatives of the public interest.

But today I say again, we hope for dialogue, we hope for understanding and we hope for consensus.