Editor,
The other day when I came into work at my full-time job, I saw the Westside Eagle Observer sitting on the table. It caught my eye because I recognized the two faces on the front page, Leon Wilmoth and a cockatoo named Darling. When I had time, I sat down and read the article: "Safari faces allegations of Violating Animal Welfare Act."
The article made me very angry, upset and frustrated. You see, I work part-time there and I know the hard work and love that goes into taking care of each and every animal there. Feeders and waters are picked up every day, washed and refilled with fresh food and water. Animal cages are also cleaned and made fresh for them as well. The animals are loved by the Wilmoth family and their employees. If you look at the animals, you can tell that they are all well fed.
When customers are allowed to go into the pens with the baby animals, they are given instructions as to what they can and can't do while in the pen. Ninety-nine percent of the time it is the adults of the group that do not listen to the instructions given to them -- like, "Please don't roughhouse the animal," "Please don't tease the animal," "No, you may not pick them up," "Please don't let the babies suck on your fingers." They will look at you like you are crazy!
I warn all customers that, given the opportunity, it is possible to get bitten. (After all, everything bites, even humans.) You would think, being an adult, they would already know this!
When driving through the Safari, there are signs posted everywhere telling patrons: "Stay in your vehicle, with windows up." There are people who choose not to listen and are the first ones to throw a fit if something happens.
Then, the AWI (Cathy Liss) blames the Safari for the stupidity of others. You can tell and tell people what to do, but it is up to them to put the information you have given them to good use.
Why is it that no member of the AWI has ever been to Wild Wilderness Safari? How can they say of the Safari that it is "one of the worst exhibitors in the country." You cannot judge by hearsay!
Visitors from all over come to the Safari. The majority of them have been there many times. We hear stuff like: "We had our kids here when they were little, and now we are here with our grandkids"; "This place is amazing"; "Wow, I can't believe I just fed a giraffe, you can't do that at our zoo"; "We will be back, this place is great!"
If this operation is such a bad place, as the AWI is saying, then why do people keep coming back time and time again? Why are cars lining Safari Road to get in and see what's all on the inside?
I personally want to thank the whole Wilmoth family for giving everyone the chance to see these animals. If it were not for Ross and Freda Wilmoth starting the Safari, and their children and grandchildren keeping it going, then where would you see all these amazing animals in one place?
Kris Becker
Gentry
Editorial on 04/05/2017