Fellow Earthlings' Wildlife Center, Inc.

PAW PRINTS

The Voice of Fellow Earthlings' Wildlife Center
Winter 2020

“We must meet the challenge rather than wish it were not before us”

William J. Brennan Jr.

Written and respectfully submitted by Riaan Nel
Volunteer Communications Coordinator

We are thinking of you, our treasured “mob members,” at this challenging and tumultuous time. We fervently hope that you are healthy, happy, and doing well.

We are pleased to tell you that your adopted meerkats are happy, healthy, and enjoying life. We humans are fine, too.

However, we closed the sanctuary in March to protect the guests, the hosts, and the meerkats from Covid-19. Unfortunately, meerkats are susceptible to the virus also. Although the meerkat enclosures are very large, the areas where the guests interact with the meerkats do not provide the minimum of 6 feet of “social distancing” for the protection of our guests and the meerkats.

Additionally, our director, Pam Bennett-Wallberg, cancelled all of the photo safaris to Africa that she organized for clients to ensure the safety for all.

In our thirty-year history, we have endured and survived national and international financial debacles, wildfires, and earthquakes. However, this is the first time we have been hit by such an enormous financial challenge due to Covid-19. Donations to the meerkats have virtually “evaporated” except from a very small handful of people who have been angelic and supportive.

As you may recall, we don’t have any paid staff so all donations go exclusively to caring for the meerkats. The cost of running the sanctuary is extremely high for things like licensing and permitting fees, food for the meerkats which is astonishingly expensive, insurance from Lloyd’s of London, veterinarian care, electricity (Edison loves us!), repairs, telephone, and a host of other expenses.

Sadly, due to our serious financial situation, we have had to postpone the rescue of “Nozomi” who is yet another meerkat that is the victim of the exotic pet trade in Japan.

Sara Baum is our “boots on the ground” angel who lives and works in Japan. Sara told us about “Nozomi” (Sara named him “Nozomi” which means HOPE in Japanese) before the pandemic hit. Sara described the pitiful conditions that he was experiencing in an exotic “pet” shop in Japan. He existed, without companionship, in a tiny wire cage, with no bed, no blankets, no toys, and an improper diet. Sara said that her heart broke when she heard his constant cries of distress.

Sara had heard about our success with international rescues of meerkats that were victims of the tragic, exotic animal pet trade. Sara asked if we would help. We, of course, said yes.

We, once again, filled out a mountain of paperwork and submitted payment for another import permit to get “Nozomi” away from his hellish existence. In turn, Sara started raising money to buy him out of bondage. Sadly, meerkats sell for staggeringly high prices in the exotic pet trade which, of course, inspires greedy, cruel people to participate in this horrifying “business.” Sara made it very clear to the exotic pet shop that we were not buying “Nozomi” as a pet. We were buying him to give him the life he deserved with other meerkats for companionship, all of the “creature comforts” that meerkats deserve, and a proper diet.

Although a number of very kind and generous people donated to help free “Nozomi,” we simply didn’t have enough money to buy him. That is, until one of our donors at Fellow Earthlings’ Wildlife Center, made a huge donation anonymously to free “Nozomi.” By sheer lucky, we found out who paid the final amount due for “Nozomi.” She does not want to be identified, but we couldn’t be more grateful to her for this astonishingly generous donation. “Nozomi” thanks you and so do we!

Sara had to make arrangements to place “Nozomi” in a temporary home at Mina’s Animal Sanctuary in Chiba, Japan, because we still have to raise more funds for his air transportation from Japan to Fellow Earthling’s sanctuary in California. More needed fund-raising and the fact that there are still travel restrictions due to the pandemic, has delayed “Nozomi’s” arrival here. We are trying very hard to surmount those two huge hurdles as quickly as we can.

Nozomi in his tiny, lonely, stark, prison cell in the exotic pet shop. Nozomi is now temporarily living at Mina’s Animal Sanctuary in Ciba, Japan, and his life has improved dramatically. Thank you, Mina!
Credit: Sara Baum

CHALLENGING TIMES AT FELLOW EARTHLINGS’ WILDLIFE CENTER

Sometime ago, we sent an email to our donors which explained the dire financial state we are in because of Covid-19. A small handful of angelic donors responded almost immediately with donations to care for the meerkats.

You know who you are. And, just as importantly, WE know who YOU are!! We send you our heart-felt thanks for helping us care for the meerkats. Unfortunately, a small handful of donors can’t do it all. We worry about the donors who have not responded. Are they okay? Are they going through the same severe financial challenges that we are? Do they think that we won’t appreciate a small donation? Please know that all donations are truly valued and appreciated.

“Nozomi” and our other meerkats fervently hope that you will help us care for them in this unprecedented and extremely trying time. Please donate.

Donations can be made on the DONATION PAGE of our website via PayPal. Or checks, made out to Fellow Earthlings’ Wildlife Center, can be mailed to 11427 West Drive, Morongo Valley, CA 92256. Donations for $250.00 or more will be issued tax receipts. Again, please remember that we are truly grateful for donations of any amount!

FENCE TO PROTECT THE MEERKATS FROM BULLETS

Several months ago, we were terrified to find bullet holes near the meerkat enclosures. We immediately put up barricades of large sheets of plywood and metal panels to protect the meerkats. Unfortunately, the barricades also block the meerkats’ sunshine and their view which are extremely important to the animals.

We are in the process of building a fence to protect the meerkats from bullets. Our assistant director, Ron Martin, is doing all of the work himself (with a bit of help from our director, Pam Bennett-Wallberg) to save money. We buy the lumber, hardware, fire-proof paint, and the cement as donations trickle in. We are making progress to keep the meerkats safe.

Plywood and metal panels are attached to the enclosures to protect the meerkats from bullets until the new fence is completed.
Credit: Pam Bennett-Wallberg

Removing brush, debris, and an old wooden trellis to make room for the new fence which will keep the meerkats protected from bullets.
Credit: Pam Bennett-Wallberg

It is arduous, challenging work to hand dig dozens and dozens of holes in the hard ground for the post holes.
Credit: Pam Bennett-Wallberg

FIRE SAFETY PROJECTS TO KEEP THE MEERKATS SAFE FROM WILDFIRES

Although we thought that we were fully prepared for a wildfire, the recent and catastrophic fires in California made us wonder if we should do more to protect the meerkats and the acreage from fire. We consulted with officials from two fire departments and they suggested that we do the following. We are pleased to tell you that everything on the list below has been completed. Fortunately, we completed the work before the pandemic hit.

Make fire breaks around the acreage.
Clear a “defensible” space around the propane tank.
Remove the wooden fence and platform around the propane tank.
Limb up all 150 pine trees to 8 feet high and remove all dead branches from the trees which was a mammoth, filthy job.
Haul off scrap wood under shed.
Demolish and haul off old wooden shop.
Demolish and haul off old wood storage shed.
Haul off lumber behind berms.
Remove paloverde tree near new shop.
Weed-whack all areas of the acreage.
Remove small wooden outbuildings on the acreage.
Re-roof shed with non-combustible shingles.
Re-roof Wheel Cottage with non-combustible shingles.
Remove saplings that dotted the acreage.
Buy a fire-proof paint locker for aerosols, fuel, and combustibles.
Replace all outdated fire extinguishers.
Remove the debris piles near the wash and haul off.
Rake and haul off pine needles – endlessly!

We have completely cleared the acreage to protect the meerkats from wildfires. It was a massive job, but the meerkats were worth every effort.
Credit: Pam Bennett-Wallberg

We cut fire breaks around the entire acreage that must be frequently re-cut.
Credit: Pam Bennett-Wallberg

All structures at the sanctuary and all of the enclosures are frequently weed-whacked to keep them safe from wildfires.

PAM’S NEWEST BOOK

Our director, Pam Bennett-Wallberg’s newest book was first available on April 1, 2020. In just 5 months the book sold out of the first printing. The book is now in its second printing.

Pam’s book, titled Great Grub from the Meerkat Café, is an interactive family cookbook that is paired with hilarious and wildly educational facts about the creatures of southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert. The book’s simple recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts with names like Dung Beetle Pancakes and Spaghetti with Grasshopper Heads have just enough “yuck factor” to greatly appeal to children while adults will be pleased that the recipes provide savory substitutions. Sliced Brown and Serve sausages can be substituted for Dung Beetles. Frozen peas can be substituted for Grasshopper Heads. Families will have loads of fun preparing a “smorgas-bug” in their own kitchen burrow. THE GRUBS ON!

In addition to feeding the stomach, feed the soul too! Each recipe has a FOOD FOR THOUGHT sidebar which provides families with surprising, funny and sometimes yucky information about the animals, birds and insects of southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert. The recipes were tested by a professional chef and the measurements are in standard and metric. A wise AFRICAN PROVERB reflects the theme of each recipe.

The book is illustrated with dazzling art by internationally known and award-winning graphic artist Kristen Perry.

The book promises to “worm” its way into the heart of every family member. If you are looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind, fun cookbook to give as a gift or to get your future chef cooking in the kitchen with you . . . this is it!

A percentage of the book’s proceeds benefit the meerkats at Fellow Earthlings’ Wildlife Center.

TO BUY PAM’S BOOK

Please go to http://www.Amazon.com
In the subject line type in GREAT GRUB FROM THE MEERKAT CAFÉ
Then, click on the photograph of the cover of the book for detailed information.

Additionally, there is another way to benefit the meerkats at Fellow Earthlings’ Wildlife Center at NO COST to you. Plus, you can buy Pam’s book and benefit the meerkats even more. Here’s all you have to do:

Go to http://www.AmazonSmile.com
Click on “Supporting” at the top of the page.
Click on “Pick your own charitable organization.”
Please type in Fellow Earthlings' Wildlife Center
In the subject line type in GREAT GRUB FROM THE MEERKAT CAFÉ
Now, every time you buy something on AmazonSmile, 0.5% of your purchase will be donated to Fellow Earthlings' Wildlife Center at no cost to you. The meerkats thank you!

JACK HANNA’S VISIT TO FELLOW EARTHLINGS

Prior to the pandemic, Jack Hanna, the beloved wildlife expert and television star visited Fellow Earthlings’ with his charming wife Suzi to film a television program called INTO THE WILD about our 30 year history of caring for meerkats.

It was Pam Bennett-Wallberg’s great pleasure to introduce Jack and Suzi to the meerkats which was their first experience with this enchanting species.

Unfortunately, we were not notified of the broadcast date for the show, so we could not alert you. However, all of Jack’s television programs eventually are shown on YouTube.

Jack and Suzi Hanna, with Ron and Pam

Jack Hanna’s film crew at Fellow Earthlings’ Wildlife Center.

Jack Hanna's crew

Pam Bennett-Wallberg with Jack Hanna (R), Suzi Hanna (L), and Ron Martin.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to those who may be interested. Thank you!

“Friendship doubles joy and halves grief”

African proverb