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On April 9, 2003, the USDA filed charges against Hawthorn Corporation, for violations of the minimum standards of care established in the Animal Welfare Act.
In November of 2003, in an unprecedented action, the USDA confiscated 58 year old Delhi a year and a half after her feet were soaked in full strength formaldehyde by a Hawthorn employee. She was sent to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, where she is currently recovering and doing very well.
In March 2004, to settle the lawsuit filed against him by the USDA, Hawthorn owner John Cuneo voluntarily relinquished all 16 of his elephants. In his consent decree, John Cuneo agreed to place his elephants in other facilities by August 15.
Cynthia Moss supports the Hawthorn Elephants moving to the Sanctuary. Read her letter.
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The Hawthorn Elephants
chained in their Illinois barn. |
The Sanctuary is standing ready to receive as many of the Hawthorn elephants as funding will permit. We have immediate barn space for two elephants, Lota and Misty, both suffering from tuberculosis. We have secured temporary housing for four more of the Hawthorn elephants. Although we would like to rescue all of the Hawthorn elephants, unless additional housing can be secured and the funding raised to build additional facilities we will be unable to accept more than six of the Hawthorn elephants.
We have had great successes in rescuing elephants through the efforts of individuals who cared enough to take action. We are hoping that we can repeat these victories with the Hawthorn elephants ~ they so richly deserve it.
ILLINOIS 16 RESCUE FUND
funds raised as of December 28th, 2004
$1,822,209.54
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Goal: $1.5 million by September 15, 2004.
We plan to continue to fund raise so we can enlarge the barn; the more money we raise the more elephants we can save. Each additional stall costs $150,000. |
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Information: |
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Lota's Story |
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Delhi's Story |
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Summary of USDA Charges
against Hawthorn Corporation |
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Media
Coverage on Hawthorn Corporation:
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Richmond-area trainer finds home for two elephants (Northwest Herald, August 3, 2004)
A McHenry County circus trainer has agreed to send two elephants to a sanctuary
in Tennessee after being accused of animal neglect (WXAD, July 30, 2004)
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee Stands Ready to Rescue
6 Ailing Circus Elephants including Lota
(Sanctuary Press Release, June 23, 2004)
Lota the elephant could use some help (Journal Sentinel, June 23, 2004)
USDA Seizes Circus Elephants (Washington Post, March 18, 2004)
Government Seizes Elephant Herd (March 18, 2004)
Hawthorn Corporation Admits to Charges (USDA Press Release, March 17, 2004)
Elephant Owner Admits Guilt (March 15, 2004 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Owner Agrees to Find Elephants New Homes (Chicago Tribune, March 8, 2004)
Trainer Cited in TB Case: Employees May Have Contracted it from Elephants
Hawthorn Corporation has once again been cited (July 1, 2003)
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USDA Contact information:
The
Honorable Ann M. Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Rm. 200-A
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-6314 (fax) |
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