SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Friday, August 31, 2012

Lions, Tigers & Bears - Oh my!

ALPINE CA San Diego county - Having left the Angeles National Forest one too many times to visit foothill communities, the bear known as both Meatball and Glenn Berian is out of Los Angeles County Thursday and about to be banished from California altogether.

But what awaits Meatball is not penalty for his frequent foraging forays but, rather, a life of gastronomical bliss.

Meatball was found taking a swim in the pool of a La Canada Flintridge home Wednesday, and that turned out to be the proverbial straw as far as animal control officials were concerned. He was recaptured by a Department of Fish and Game warden who set a trap baited with bacon and honey.

And instead of being returned to the wild, Meatball was transported to the Lions, Tigers and Bears rehabilitation and animal sanctuary in Alpine, north of San Diego, where he is reported to be safe and comfortable.

"As a wildlife agency, our goal is always to keep animals wild, but in this case the best interest of the bear was to capture and relocate him to a safe and secure facility," said Andrew Hughan of the Department of Fish and Game.

The bear in the past also has been spotted rummaging through garbage cans in Glendale -- hence, the moniker Glenn Bearian. He was captured and returned to the wild when found snoozing in a tree in July.

But now, Meatball is leaving the Golden State. By early next week, he will have a new home at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colo., according to the Los Angeles Times.

"It's a huge relief," Sarah Aujero, 29, who started the Twitter handle TheGlendaleBear and named him Glen Bearian, told The Times. "He needs a place where he ... can have all the food and facilities for him to have a happy life."

Pat Craig, executive director of the sanctuary, told the newspaper that what awaits Meatball is a 720-acre habitat where more than 80 bears roam free. The sanctuary has underground dens for hibernating and sometimes gets food donations that can include meatballs and lasagna.

"The great thing is that bears, they get incredible food here. And that's the No. 1 thing bears live for," he said. "It's actually kind of like the Club Med for bears."



UPDATE 1:45 P.M.Thurs- Glen Bearian's Colorado trip has reportedly been put on hold. The bear is currently "resting comfortably" in quarantine at the Lions, Tigers & Bears exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine as the nonprofit rescue facility attempts to raise $25,000 to build the bear a habitat, according to a release. If the funds are not raised, Meatball will continue his trek to Colorado.

I'm hoping the funds are not raised and "Meatballs" continues on to a nice sanctuary in Colorado where he can roam free with other bears and not locked into an enclosure just so  Lions, Tigers & Bears sanctuary can profit off of his notoriety.
After all, its whats best for the animal, right?