Unbelieiveable. Tigers are not gift store items, America.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | July 24, 2008 06:59 PM

Wha-?! I know that our government is screwed up, but I never thought that they would just condemn wild animals for their own kicks and giggles. What exactly is the point of doing this?

Posted by: Katie | July 24, 2008 08:21 PM

Dr. Breen,

Read the action alert—there's at least two reasons there.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | July 24, 2008 10:15 PM

Dr. Breen,

According to the action alert, they are going to a zoo. Yes, the motive was peace. A 'gesture of goodwill.' I'd have to do more research before taking sides though. For all I know, the tigers could be treated very well.

Posted by: S.Q. | July 24, 2008 10:18 PM

dr breen are you really a dr because i find it hard to believe after that comment. The tigers are going to a zoo!!! and no matter what the reason they are going they are still wild animals that aren't here for us to trade or keep captive!!! and to send these amazing creatures into a war zone is ridiculous! the US really needs someone who gives a shit about animals to make deicisions about things like this instead of heartless idiots who love money and have little respect for life

Posted by: nicole | July 25, 2008 03:49 AM

They are trying to replace the animals that were killed off in that zoo!?? Oh, "MY WORD", I'll try to be frank here... BUT THIS IS NO PLACE FOR ANIMALS LET ALONE HUMANS!!! My letter is sent!!! God help them!! Peace

Posted by: Carla | July 25, 2008 10:29 AM

Why don't they send these 3 fuckers instead, Bush, Cheney, and Rove and put them in a cage and use those fuckers as Cannon Fodder! I want a picture of that! I'll put it in my Library.
I sent my letter! This is not a safe place to go!
Friendly Fire anyone!

Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 25, 2008 03:29 PM

This news is utterly disturbing - megalomania is ruling in Babylon!

Posted by: SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION | July 25, 2008 03:48 PM

CAPTAAAAAAAIN RESEARCH TO THE RESCUE!!!

From CBSnews.com

In the bedlam of Baghdad, the zoo seems more like an oasis.

But like its lions, the zoo is lucky to still be around, CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann reports.

In the battle for Saddam's Baghdad, zoo animals were caught in the crossfire. Few survived - and just barely.

The big cats were found starving, some roaming the zoo grounds.

Five-hundred other animals disappeared, most stolen by looters. Some were sold, others … eaten.

Even now, the zoo's director winces remembering the worst moments.

Like slaughtering the ostrich to feed his starving lions.

"I was trying to save these rare animals," he said through a translator. "It was really important to save these animals."

Animals like Salimah the cheetah survived. Then the zoo was saved, too.

Only a few dozen of the zoo's original 560 animals survived the war. Now, the rebuilt zoo has more than 150 animals.

U.S. military civil affairs units helped the zoo restock animals like this hyena, and many other animals.

To the Iraqis, it's more than a zoo. It's a symbol of hope - and of getting their lives back. Walking around does feel peaceful, almost normal. So unlike Baghdad over the past five years.

This year, millions of Iraqis will see fish painted with the Iraqi flag.

It's the best cheap date in Baghdad - just thirty cents to get in.

"It's away from the gunfire, and away from their everyday lives," said Jacob Mattocks of U.S. civil affairs. "It's an escape, people from all different neighborhoods and sects and background come to the zoo, where they can all interact."

In this improbable story of survival, Iraqis see something else: a little bit of themselves.

Posted by: Tabitha | July 25, 2008 04:19 PM

BTW, once again, PETA, congrats on the misleading headline.

Posted by: Tabitha | July 25, 2008 04:20 PM

Dr. Breen,

There is a quite simple way to tell if the tigers will be mistreated. It's judging by how all the other Baghdad Zoo animals were treated.

Let me give you an analogy: let's say you had a very young daughter, and you wanted to send her to daycare.

You researched the daycare, and you found out that 5 children from the daycare had brusies all over them at the end of the day, the caregivers beat the chidren, and several had broken arms as a result of the care there.

And, oh yeah, THE DAYCARE IS IN BAGHDAD!

So answer this: would you send your daughter there?

Posted by: Maya, CVT | July 25, 2008 04:36 PM

S.Q.,

The motive is peace? I don't think the Iraqi insurgency will buy it.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | July 25, 2008 06:05 PM

Hi S.Q. -

You bring up a good point, how do we know how the tigers will be treated? Well I am basing it on the zoo's history.

You can read this info on PETA in several places, and in a newspaper in Mebane, but I'll repeat it here. Many tigers have been killed at this zoo. Several tigers' cage was damaged by mortar blasts, and those tigers escaped.

After the tigers escaped, they were shot by American soldiers.

Some other American soldier decided to try and feed one of the caged tigers. The soldier stuck his arm in the cage, and not surprisingly, got bitten. The soldier's comrades shot the tiger to death.

Many other animals at the zoo have been stolen, skinned for clothing, eaten or injured in wartime fighting near the zoo.

This is absolutely not the first time I'm hearing this information. Not only has PETA reported it, many other wild animal welfare groups have written about this. It has tons of "street cred", as they say. LOL.

Sorry for the long comment. ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | July 25, 2008 06:12 PM

well DR Breen in australia using the prefix DR means doctor!!!! and the whole point of this story is that this has been tried before!!! two tirgers escaped from a zoo and were shot!!! why? because the zoo was in a WAR ZONE and the place was bombed! i am against this becasue i don't believe endangered animals shouild be shipped into a war zone where people probably don't get care they need let alone an animal. i couldn't care less if you think they may be properly cared for!!! why don't you head over there and sit in cage "all in the name of peace of course"

Posted by: nicole | July 25, 2008 07:23 PM

Instead of sending real tigers as a "goodwill" gesture, why don't we just send a stuffed animal toy tiger to every Iraqi child. I think that'd do more to raise morale than imprisoning an endangered specie in a horrific environment where they might get blown up.

Posted by: Phill | July 26, 2008 09:44 AM

Judith,

They're sending the tigers to a zoo, not the war; so I'm pretty sure they'll stay out of direct lines of fire. When you say 'most of my heroes wear masks' are you saying the ALF and ELF? Because those are FBI certified terriorist groups and it worries me when people say they support them. Take care.

Posted by: S.Q. | July 26, 2008 12:13 PM

idk who thinks that its ok to send tigers to that god forsaken waste of existence place. what the hell is wrong with them? people are begging for their husbands,wives and children to return safe and ALIVE, and they are going to send (in essence) defenseless tigers there to rot in misery? the tigers just cant get up and say ok im done here, they will be stuck there for the rest of their natural lives in a damn iraqi zoo. unbelievable. what they should do is send the tigers to africa or another place where they can return to the wild, who the hell are WE to decide their fate and send them to fuckng iraq. i hope those tigers escape. i really do.

Posted by: this isnt h0llyw0od | July 26, 2008 07:16 PM

they are all mad, what the hell are they thinking, we should be bring men soldiers and animals back not sending them there, MY GOD IS THERE A BRAIN LEFT WITH THIS GOVERNMENT I DONT THNK SO,,,WHEN THIS ADMIN LEAVES THEN WE CAN WORK ON A BETTER WORLD BUT until then we have to just keep whatching these
useless human beings and their moronic ideas and plans

Posted by: r | July 27, 2008 09:36 AM

Breen and S.Q.,
Freedom of speech is a great thing. Terrorists? Death threats? You guys crack me up.
I love all Peacemakers!
Iraq is modernizing? Enjoy your dreamworld. You are a loser!
I hope you enjoy sucking on Cheney's little nob!!! LOSER!

Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 28, 2008 02:05 PM

Maya,

Thanks for the info. I think I'll do some more research to top up my knowledge. :)

Posted by: S.Q. | July 28, 2008 02:39 PM

Judith,

Oh no, my poor friend, YOU crack me up. I see you are one of the many people who use the anonymity of the internet to throw jeers and degrade others. I don't think you could say that to my face, no? I suppose I will tolerate your childish behavior on the internet, but it is a big no-no to insult me in person.

Ah, so you are one of the ALF lovers. Well, in my book, no cause can justify violence. Firebombing a building, flooding a house, whether for personal reasons or charity reasons, is grotesque and wrong. Bloody revolution is your defense? Saving the animals through violence is the only way? We live in the 21st century. I think we can deal with our problems in a less barbaric way. See the wars happening around the world? See how those are working out? I guess violence won't help your cause, otherwise the U.S. would be out of Iraq by now.

And did you know that by acting this way, you are losing your credibility? How much your AR friends love you is no measure when people in the real world, general citizens, find you disgusting and rude. Those are the people you want to touch and affect; and you, my poor friend, will only drive them away. I certainly will turn my back on any activist who calls me a 'loser'. You command no one's respect. Judith, I will not call you a loser, a moron, stupid, or sh*t head, whatever. Because I am not at your level. Maybe you should grow up. Unless you are eight, in which case I apologise. I don't want to hurt a little kid.

PS: I live in Canada, so I'm not interested in your U.S. politics at all. Good day.

Posted by: S.Q. | July 28, 2008 09:46 PM

this world is fucked up.
not only do the U.S Send innocent men to war, but they wanna send innocent animals to?
U.S ARE A DISGRACE!

Posted by: lucy | July 29, 2008 10:05 AM

S.Q., Stop whining!
You can dish it, but you can't
take it! Anything you may say to me rolls right off my back. You support who you want and I shall continue to support who I admire. It should make no difference to you. It is simply none of your business! Grow up and go haunt another board! Being a bully such as yourself has no affect on me!

Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 29, 2008 12:52 PM

Ah, so Judith IS eight. Tsk tsk. What is happening with our children these days?

Posted by: S.Q. | July 29, 2008 03:51 PM

Lucy, You are absolutely correct. This world is really fucked up!!!!! A lot of really screwed up humans!

Peace for all animals!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 29, 2008 04:58 PM

dr breen u wanker if it's a death threat 4 u to go over there why is it ok to send the tigers. and i couldn't give a shit about your politics i'm only concerned for the tigers. idiot!

Posted by: nicole | July 29, 2008 09:26 PM

Judith: You have my respect. But then--you and I are both AR....... ;-)

Posted by: Antigone1000 | July 29, 2008 10:19 PM

Jesus Christ. This is why I never had children!!!

Judith, Antigone, for god's sake!! It's our job to EDUCATE people. If someone comes onto this blog and provokes, we need to stand up and rise above immature behavior. That is how we teach people. You will never change someone by teasing them, you will only drive them back to that big plate of steak.

S.Q. and Dr. Breen, you have to understand that people who care for animal rights have a difficult time. We have to watch those we advocate for be abused and tortured every day.

That's not an excues for immature behavior, but if someone is acting like a child, ignore them. Do not respond, unless you enjoyed the worst part of third grade.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | July 30, 2008 10:53 AM

S.Q. Yes, the FBI declared ALF and ELF to be terrorist groups. After all it wouldn't do to have Big Business lose any of its revenue because of people who care more about animals than profits. Profits that aid the government.
Incidentally, neither ALF nor ELF have killed a single human but Pro-Rights groups that bomb, and yes, have killed humans, are not on the FBI's terrorist list.
Keep up the good fight, Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals.!!

Posted by: lynda downie | July 30, 2008 11:19 PM

Lynda, You are an amazing, compassionate and brilliant human being!

Antigone, you know how I feel about you. Amazing, compassionate and brilliant also. Let's continue the good fight my friend.

Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 31, 2008 07:59 PM

Lynda: Thank you for swooping in with a sorely needed voice of reason!!! Unfortunately, too many people use "legality" as the measure of "right," when we (having lived in a country where slavery was legal) should certainly know better. Instead of whining about how horrible the ALF and ELF are, why don't those "animal-lovers" do something LEGAL to stop what goes on in labs?? Easy to criticize what others do while they, thenselves, do nothing.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | July 31, 2008 09:13 PM

Maya: Sorry, I'm not real big on butt-kissing and soothing the consciences of those who mistreat animals. Besides, you seem to have the market cornered on that, all by yourself.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | July 31, 2008 09:15 PM

Antigone,

Wow, that is the most eloquent statement. You're right, I'm not a real animal rights activist. I could never be as fluent in communication as you are. I'm sure that statement you just made to me will save a lot of animals!

I imagine you must be a very effective attorney indeed with that mastery of the English language. LOL

Posted by: Maya, CVT | August 1, 2008 11:33 AM

Kudos to Antigone and to Maya: in your last statement you are really honest! Thank you!

Posted by: questionmark | August 1, 2008 12:13 PM

Antigone, you nailed it. Many people on this board feel as if Maya conspires with the enemy! Sure does make you think. Or else, shes after a husband! LOL

Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!

Posted by: Judith FFFA | August 1, 2008 01:44 PM

Don't mess with the tigers!
Tigers take shit from nobody.
Ain't that right-Antigone and Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals?
Growl!!

Posted by: lynda downie | August 2, 2008 01:41 PM

I don't think you guys really know what's going on in Baghdad. I was at the Zoo monday. There are no bombs going off. There was no gun fighting. Instead, there were families and children, and two separate families asked me, a U.S. Soldier, to take a photo with their children. I recently wrote a story about the tigers coming to Baghdad, and it will be released Friday. You guys are all over-reacting. I saw the tigers myself with my own two eyes, and they're fine. The Zoo staff and Veterinarian also received advanced training to treat exotic animals. Furthermore, two different Veterinarians who specialize in humanitarian treatment visited the Zoo and approved its condition. Please, everyone, quit going nuts. I'm in Iraq right now, and I've gone out several times in the past 4 months without a single attack everywhere I've gone.

Posted by: Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret | August 7, 2008 08:12 AM

Michel Sauret: You might feel differently about being in Iraq if you were there against your will, forced to live in a cage and be gawked at by zoo-goers, and with no hope of ever being home again. It's big of you, though, to support someone else's imprisonment in a foreign country--I'm sure the tigers appreciate your weighing in.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | August 7, 2008 07:23 PM

Well put, Antigone. What a keen intellect and sense of justice you have!

Posted by: lynda downie | August 11, 2008 09:36 PM