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Official Status Update

September 18, 2009

Text Box: On Tuesday September, 15th, 2009 officials from the Mexican Wildlife Department (PROFEPA) met with representatives for Gente Por La Defensa Animal (GEPDA), Last Chance For Animals (LCA) and The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) to discuss the current status of the rescue mission to save the animals in Cancun. PROFEPA stated they had received a significant amount of input from the public - both in Mexico and the United States - concerning their sudden cancelation of the rescue mission and wanted to explain their reasoning behind their withdrawal. Officials stated they were concerned the animals’ owner may try to get an injunction to stop the rescue, or begin other legal actions to repeal the revocation of his wildlife permits - or possibly request the court to give him time to improve the conditions of his facility. With this in mind, officials had decided to drastically alter the original rescue plan. They’re currently proposing to remove the animals and transport them to temporary holding facilities near Mexico City, where they would be kept until such time that all legal proceedings - if any are begun - have been concluded. They feel this new plan would avoid prematurely moving the animals to the United States. Representatives from GEPDA, LCA and TWAS expressed great concern over the revised plan, as the animals will have to be rescued regardless, and opting to transport the animals half way across Mexico in rental trucks would put the animals at great risk of injury, illness, trauma or distress. And holding them in temporary cages for many months, in multiple facilities around Mexico City, while court cases drag on would only compound their suffering. The representatives went on to add that the animals would be far better served if officials would go back to the original rescue plan. Doing so would allow the animals to be immediately rescued and transported to their final destination (The Wild Animal Sanctuary) without being subjected to arduous road trips (they would be flown by Jet Aircraft to Colorado), and would save the animals from spending months - or possibly years - in temporary cages that will not be any better than the ones they currently live in. The meeting ended with PROFEPA rejecting GEPDA, LCA & TWAS’s request to reinstate the original humane rescue plan, which was a great disappointment. PROFEPA’s disregard for the ultimate welfare of the animals was clearly visible, as their new plan was noticeably driven by their desire to minimally satisfy the public’s demand to help - while lessening the burden on their department.

Text Box: Synopsis of New Situation The Mexican government has backed out of planned rescue to TWAS The Mexican government claims they will send the tigers and other animals to Mexico City Zoos and related facilities The Mexican government is trying to get us to stop our campaign to do what is best for the animals During all this time, the animals remain in terrible conditions, and will suffer further if forced to travel to center of Mexico and be housed in surplus areas of zoos Solution Continue putting pressure on Mexican Government via (1) Direct contact by the public through letter writing campaign (2) Direct contact by the public through phone calls (3) Continued media coverage of their disregard for the true well-being of the animals (4) Continue educating others about the plight of these animals Instructions to Help (1) Continue writing letters to all contacts - state your concern about the new plan and its risk to the animals’ welfare (2) Continue making phone calls to officials and media outlets (3) Continue educating others about the plight of these animals

Spanish Version