Fire at Camp Papillon Animal Shelter cat cottage kills ten cats

- Pennsylvania, Monroe County, USA -

On Friday early morning, April 3, a fire broke out at the Camp Paillon Shelter located on 128 Brainerd Lane in Stroudsburg.

The shelter wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post that their cat cottage was completely destroyed and all ten furbabies inside lost their precious lives.

The nonprofit also wrote: “Sabrina, Stella and Guiness were just kittens. Brayleigh, Belle, Nancy, Dennie, Hugo, Tango and Tao will be the angels helping us from above as we refocus and rebuild to continue the work we have always done.”

Pocono Record reports that a spokesperson for Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Fire Company said the department was dispatched to the scene at 3:21 a.m.

Firefighters and EMT crews from the West End Community Ambulance and Pocono Township Fire Department also responded to the fire call.

There were no other reported injuries.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

If you can afford to make a donation to help the shelter get back on their feet, you can do it online. Thank you!

Feature image via Camp Papillon Animal Shelter photo cover

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4-year-old female Malayan tiger at Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19

- New York, USA -

A 4-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia, has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Bronx Zoo officials announced it Sunday, April 5.

Federal officials believe this to be the first known infection in an animal in the US or a tiger anywhere.

Sadly, Nadia is not the only big cat who has fallen ill.

Her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions had developed a dry cough.

The zoo said that the first animal started showing symptoms March 27.

It is believed that the cats have been infected by a zoo employee.

The zoo has been closed to the public since March 16.

Dr. Paul Calle, the zoo’s chief veterinarian said: “We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution” and aim to “contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus.”

Zoo officials say that all the big cats are expected to recover.

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Five poachers killed in Botswana by the authorities in an effort to save rhinos

- Botswana -

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (pictured below), the fifth and current President of Botswana, has warned his government will fight poachers!!!

As VOA reports, Botswana has seen an unprecedented rise in rhinoceros poaching in the last 12 months.

The government reports that in the last ten months nearly 50 of the animals have been killed, about one-tenth of the country’s rhino population.

Officials say at this rate the black rhino population could be wiped out by the end of next year.

Botswana’s security forces are taking the fight to the poachers, most of whom come in from neighboring Namibia and Zambia.

On Monday, March 30, one poaching suspect was gunned down in a confrontation with local soldiers.

On Wednesday, four more suspected poachers were killed in the thickets of the Okavango Delta, home to most of the country’s rhinos.

President Masisi said: “There are serious problems with poaching. Poachers do not bear a spear or a knobkerrie, or a knife, like some of those who break into households.”

He added: “Poachers bear sophisticated arms, and poachers are sufficiently radicalized to kill. So they are dangerous. We put an army in place to defend this country, so any intruder is an enemy. And unfortunately, as with any war, there are casualties.”

Conservationist Neil Fitt said the recent killing of suspected poachers is proof the government and the Botswana Defense Forces are on the right path.

Mr. Fitt also said: “Obviously the taking of any life is not to be condoned. One has to try not to do that.”

He then added: “However, as I think we all know, in the last year or so, the poaching incidents in Botswana have increased dramatically. We have lost a lot of rhinos, and I am not too sure how many elephants we have lost. The fact that the BDF [army] are upping their game plan, I think, is a very good thing.”

*Voice For Us believes that anyone who has so little regard for any kind and form of life does not deserve to be alive themselves!*

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