Maybe It’s Time to Take Animal Feelings Seriously

Dogs can read human emotions. So, it appears, can horses. Whales have regional accents. Ravens have demonstrated that they might be able to guess at the thoughts of other ravens — something scientists call “theory of mind,” which has long been considered a uniquely human ability. All of these findings have been published within the past several weeks, and taken together they suggest that many of the traits and abilities we believe are “uniquely human” are, in fact, not so unique to us.

To read more on this story, click here: Maybe It’s Time to Take Animal Feelings Seriously

Mara The Ex-Circus Elephant Retires To Brazil

Brasília (AFP) - Mara, an Indian elephant rescued from an Argentine circus, arrived at an animal sanctuary in Brazil Wednesday to start a new life at 50-something -- beginning with a celebratory frolic in the dirt.

Mara, who weighs around 5,500 kilograms (more than 12,000 pounds), spent much of her life as a circus attraction, then was brought to the Buenos Aires Zoo in 1995.

To read more on this story, click here: Mara The Ex-Circus Elephant Retires To Brazil

Nabisco Animal Crackers Boxes Got A Makeover And Now The Animals Are Roaming Free

Nabisco's parent company redesigned Barnum's Animal Crackers boxes to show the animals roaming free — and not in cages — after pressure from PETA.

These cookie critters are tasting freedom.

After spending 116 years behind bars, the majestic beasts on boxes of Nabisco Barnum’s Animals Crackers are no longer being depicted in lock-up.

Nabisco’s parent company, Mondelez International, redesigned the snack's packaging in response to pressure by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA, which has denounced using animals in circuses, wrote a letter to Mondelez in the spring of 2016 calling for a redesign, according to AP.

“Given the egregious cruelty inherent in circuses that use animals and the public’s swelling opposition to the exploitation of animals used for entertainment,” PETA wrote to the food giant, “we urge Nabisco to update its packaging in order to show animals who are free to roam in their natural habitats.”

Mondelez agreed and started working on a makeover.

Rebooted cookie boxes, which declare “new look, same great taste,” are on U.S. store shelves now.

The new boxes have the same lettering and color scheme, but a zebra, elephant, lion, giraffe and gorilla wander side-by-side outside, instead of being confined in circus boxcars.

To read more on this story, click here: Nabisco Animal Crackers Boxes Got A Makeover And Now The Animals Are Roaming Free

Elephant Fitted with Giant Contact to Repair Injured Eye

What happens when one of the world’s largest animals hurts its eye? She gets a giant contact lens, of course.

A vet at Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo fitted elephant Win Thida with the protective lens last week in an hour-long procedure, the first of its kind in Europe, the zoo said. The animal’s cornea was likely damaged by a branch while roughhousing with her mates, and each time she blinked, it further irritated the wound. The contact was fitted to help her right eye – eight times the size of a human’s – heal without complications.

Animal ophthalmologist Anne-Marie Verbruggen leans into Win Thida's stall at Amsterdam's Artis Zoo during an hour-long procedure to fit a contact in her right eye.

So how exactly does one perform eye surgery on an elephant? Win Thida, who weighs in at just above 4 tons, was lightly sedated, given an eye anesthetic and enclosed in her stall to prevent her from moving too much during the procedure.

A specialist eye vet, who regularly fits horses with contacts, performed the surgery from a ladder while leaning into the stall. Win Thida couldn’t be put to sleep as elephants can’t lie down for long periods without developing breathing trouble.

Animal ophthalmologist Anne-Marie Verbruggen inserts a contact lens into Win Thida's eye to help her damaged cornea heal.

The vets expect that the super-size contact will fall out of the 44-year-old elephant’s eye after several weeks, although if it doesn’t, there will be another trip up the ladder for the doc who performed the surgery. After spending nearly a month squeezing her eye shut in pain, she was “instantly better” after the procedure, the zoo said.

Zookeepers first noticed Win Thida’s injury when creams and painkillers did little to help, vets decided to insert the lens.

Elephant Gives Birth In Middle Of Safari, But Watch Incredible Moment Herd Suddenly Charges In

Giving birth is one of the most incredible moments a mom can ever experience. It’s also one of the most secretive, at least for human moms – they’re always squirreled away in a private hospital room, away from prying eyes.

Usually it’s mom, dad, and random hospital staff that first greet the baby as he or she comes bursting forth into the world. But for wild elephants, it’s an entirely different story. The whole herd is there to say hello to their newest little tribe member!


In this video clip, a group of lucky tourists on safari actually got to witness the intimate meet-and-greet as it unfolded. People go on safari so they can get the chance to observe mother nature up close and personal, so of course there was tons of excitement in their voices when they realize they’re getting exactly what they came to see!

To read more on this story, click here: Elephant Gives Birth In Middle Of Safari, But Watch Incredible Moment Herd Suddenly Charges In

Famous Elephant Tramples and Gores His Owner to Death in Thailand

A performing elephant, famous for his appearances in movies and commercials, recently trampled and gored his handler to death in Thailand.

Phlai Ekasit, a 32-year-old elephant who has spent most of his life in the entertainment industry, has turned on his handler. An English-language Thai news site called Khaosod English reported that the unprompted, yet enraged Asian elephant turned toward his handler, grabbed him with his trunk, and trampled and gored the man with his feet and tusks.

According to Agence France-Presse, witnesses at Chiang Mai Zoo said elephant handler Somsak Riangngern had just unchained the animal so that Ekasit could drink and bathe. Other handlers insist that Ekasit had never been violent, and that Somsak hadn’t agitated the elephant in any way that day.

To read more on this story, click here: Famous Elephant Tramples and Gores His Owner to Death in Thailand

Famous Elephant Tramples and Gores His Owner to Death in Thailand

A performing elephant, famous for his appearances in movies and commercials, recently trampled and gored his handler to death in Thailand.

Phlai Ekasit, a 32-year-old elephant who has spent most of his life in the entertainment industry, has turned on his handler. An English-language Thai news site called Khaosod English reported that the unprompted, yet enraged Asian elephant turned toward his handler, grabbed him with his trunk, and trampled and gored the man with his feet and tusks.

According to Agence France-Presse, witnesses at Chiang Mai Zoo said elephant handler Somsak Riangngern had just unchained the animal so that Ekasit could drink and bathe. Other handlers insist that Ekasit had never been violent, and that Somsak hadn’t agitated the elephant in any way that day.

To read more on this story, click here: Famous Elephant Tramples and Gores His Owner to Death in Thailand

Ellen DeGeneres Launches Campaign to Save Elephants After Trump Ends Trophy Ban

Trump’s overturning of the Obama administration ban on elephant trophies in Zimbabwe and Zambia being imported into America sparked outrage from animal rights activists.

Ellen used her talk show yesterday to proclaim her love for elephants and detail her shock at the Trump’s administration’s decision. She said: ‘I love elephants. And if you take the time to learn about elephants, you would love them too.’

To read more on this story, click here: Ellen DeGeneres Launches Campaign to Save Elephants After Trump Ends Trophy Ban

Facing Public Outrage, Trump Puts Elephant Trophy Decision ‘On Hold’

WASHINGTON — In the face of widespread public backlash, President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he has suspended his decision to reverse an Obama-era ban on the importation of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia. 

“Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts,” he posted to Twitter. He adding that the issue has been “under study for years” but that he would soon provide an update.

As HuffPost reported Wednesday, the administration decided to lift the ban after determining that sport hunting in those African countries will help conserve the species, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed.

To read more on this story, click here: Facing Public Outrage, Trump Puts Elephant Trophy Decision ‘On Hold’

Hunters Will Soon Bring Elephant Head Trophies Into U.S.

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) - The Trump Administration plans to remove an Obama-era ban on importing elephant head trophies.

That means big game hunters could soon bring their elephant head trophies into the U.S. if they were killed on legal hunts in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

For decades, African countries have struggled to save elephants. An estimated 30,000 are slaughtered by poachers every year for their ivory tusks.

In the 1970s, Africa had an estimated 1.3 million wild elephants. Now only a half a million remain.
  
But a statement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says legal, well-regulated sport hunting of elephants can help save the animals by giving local communities a financial incentive to protect them.

To read more on this story, click here: Hunters Will Soon Bring Elephant Head Trophies Into U.S.

Trump To Lift Ban On Import Of Elephant Trophies From 2 African Nations

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration will reverse an Obama-era ban on the importation of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia after determining that sport hunting in those countries will help conserve the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed Wednesday. 

The decision was made public not by the federal agency but via a celebratory news release early Tuesday from Safari Club International, a trophy hunting advocacy group that, along with the National Rifle Association, sued to block the 2014 ban. 

Greg Sheehan, principal deputy director of the FWS, broke the news to the hunting organization during the African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) in Tanzania, an agency spokesperson told HuffPost. The forum, which runs through Friday, is being hosted by the Safari Club International Foundation and the United Republic of Tanzania. 

African elephants have been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1978. A provision of the law, however, allows for sport-hunted trophies to be imported if the government determines that hunting will help safeguard the population.

To read more on this story, click here: Trump To Lift Ban On Import Of Elephant Trophies From 2 African Nations

Albany, New York: No More Elephants in Circuses, Parades and Other Entertainment

Legislation that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed Thursday forbids their use in those and other entertainment events. The prohibition does not kick in for two years.

“Once again, New York State is proving to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves,’’ said state Sen. Terrence Murphy, a Westchester County Republican and the Senate’s bill’s sponsor. He credited advocacy from students with Pace University’s Environmental Policy Clinic.

Animal rights advocates for years have protested the use of elephants in circuses, citing what they said were cruel treatment of the animals and conditions that can dramatically shorten their lifespans compared with elephants in the wild.

Ringling Bros.’ circuses were among the key targets of advocates pushing for the elephant ban. The company closed last spring after 146 years in business with company officials saying the final nail was a sharp drop in ticket sales after it stopped putting elephants in its performances.

“Elephants have been exploited and abused in entertainment acts for too long,’’ said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat who sponsored the bill in the Assembly.

The Elephant Protection Act that Cuomo signed carries a financial penalty of up to $1,000 for violations. It bans the use of elephants in entertainment acts at circuses, trade shows, carnivals, parades or other such events.

Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, an animal rights group, said the new law brings New York "one step closer to a day when the only performers in circuses are willing human ones who can go home to their families at night."

Some People Decided to Show How Animals Enhance Their Lives by Getting Animal Tattoos

Is seeing an animal you adore sure to put a smile on your face? Some people decided to show how animals enhance their lives by getting tattoos to elicit that very response with every glance! Take a look at  how a few creative animal enthusiasts took permanent steps to share their appreciation for animals with the world.

Panda Tattoo
Many people don’t know that pandas used to roam all across China millions of years ago. Now, they primarily live in the mountain ranges of central China – which is an interesting fact that you can share with people when they see your adorable panda tattoo!

Kitty Reaching for the Stars Tattoo
Cat owners know that felines are forever curious. This enthralling tattoo perfectly represents the mentality of a feline, showcasing a cute cat reaching for the stars!

Snake Tattoo
It isn’t always the first creature people feel affection for, but there’s a sizeable amount of the population who greatly enjoys the sinuous beauty and stubborn survivalist nature of the snake. This brave woman decided to show her love for this animal with a subtle hand tattoo.

Bear Tattoo
It’s important to bear in mind that those of the ursine lineage are capable of quiet grace and beauty. Though the cute and often clumsy idea of a bear is common in everything from cartoons to wood carvings, a stunning tattoo like this captures the wild elegance in their hearts.

Deer Tattoo
Deer lovers are sure to fawn over the beauty of this tattoo. It’s appropriate that this tattoo was placed on the ankle, as deer are fond of running and jumping around!

Sometimes Subtlety is the Best Option
Not everyone wants to get a prominent tattoo that’s easily seen. A compact tattoo, such as a baby scorpion behind your ear, is an excellent way to represent an animal that you care about without drawing a lot of attention.

Love for the Sea
Maybe your favorite creature resides in the water! If so, you may want to ink your skin with a colorful representation of one of the most popular residents of the ocean – like this fanciful crab!

Eye of the Tiger
The tiger is a stunning animal – and one under threat from habitat loss and poaching. So a tattoo as beautiful as this one is not only a great conversation-starter, it may lead to another great conversation as well.

Family of Elephants

Whether sweet, silly, or captivating, an animal tattoo can be a fun and creative way to show your appreciation for the creatures that inspire us every day. If you’re getting a tattoo, consider going a little wild with it. It’s a great way to share your fascination, and could even start a dialogue that raises awareness about protecting the species you love!

The Promise This Photographer Made to Endangered Elephants Will Give You Chills

Even the biggest animal lovers are somewhat disconnected from the rampant abuse happening to animals around the world. Powerful images and videos allow us a glimpse into some of the heartbreaking situations animals have to deal with around the world, but activists, conservationists, photojournalists, and videographers get a first-hand look and have the chance to interact with those affected. These people are in sub-Saharan Africa witnessing poachers sneak onto parks to kill African lions. They are there to see baby orangutans stand on the ashes of their formerly lush forest home that has been cleared out for palm oil. And in Sumatra, they are watching elephants in the area dwindle as more and more of these animals are pushed off their lands, killed when they step back onto it, and kidnapped in the flurry of it all.

To read more on this story, click here: The Promise This Photographer Made to Endangered Elephants Will Give You Chills

Shanthi, a 41-Year-Old Asian Elephant at the National Zoo Gets a New Pair of Boots

Washington, DC – If you think your feet hurt after a long day spent atop them… imagine weighing 9,000 pounds.

That’s the situation that Shanthi, a 41-year-old Asian elephant at the National Zoo, finds herself in. Shanthi suffers from arthritis, which can make getting around painful. It’s also led to problems in her front feet, including cracks in her toenails and lesions on her skin.

Actually, they’re more like boots, custom made for Shanthi in about a size 20, with an EEEEEEEEEEEE width. Sitting on a table in a staff room in the zoo’s Elephant Community Center recently, a single boot resembled a rubberized birdbath.

When Shanthi wears the boots, said elephant keeper Deborah Flinkman, “She looks like she’s going off-road.”

Elephants have five toenails on their front feet and four (usually) on their back feet. An elephant foot can be close to 20 inches across when it’s resting on the ground, six inches smaller when it’s lifted up and the weight is off it.

“We put a lot of attention into elephant feet,” said Tony Barthel, curator of the zoo’s Elephant Trails and Cheetah Conservation Station exhibits. “It’s one of the things we can do to help ensure that they’re healthy.”

That foot care includes regular inspections, pedicures and occasional X-rays.

Shanthi’s arthritis has caused her to lean forward on her feet, stressing them. Zoo veterinarians needed to treat the arthritis with injections and apply topical treatments to Shanthi’s troubled nails and skin. They also needed to keep debris out of the fissures in her feet.

This all posed a challenge, especially keeping the medication on long enough to work. Elephants are intelligent and curious, with dexterous trunks well-suited for unwrapping bandages. Boots had been used successfully at other zoos, so the National Zoo decided to give them a try.

There is no Brannock device for elephants, that metal contraption humans step in to measure the length and width of their footsies. Instead, the Smithsonian’s 3-D Digitization Program produced scans of her feet that were sent to Teva in California.

The footwear company already had experience with interesting custom jobs. It made a pair of elephant shoes in 2004 and in 2011 created a tiny sandal for the Santa Barbara Zoo, where a Humboldt penguin named Lucky had an impaired foot.

“There’s not a tremendous amount of feedback that comes back from the animals,” said Chris Hillyer, director of innovation for Deckers Brands, which owns Teva. “But the reality is, all the principles we use in making good footwear for humans is absolutely applicable, from the standpoint of traction, durability, drainage and fit.”

Chris flew to China to oversee construction of the shoes, which Teva donated to the zoo gratis.

(A local outfit also made some custom boots for Shanthi before the zoo settled on the Tevas. Joe Stern, of Cobbler’s Bench in Landover, Md., fabricated a pair that was hardened with the spray-on lining used for truck beds. Joe finished them off with red soles to make them resemble high-end Christian Louboutin pumps. Shanthi seems to prefer the more casual Tevas.)

What does Shanthi think of wearing shoes?

At first, Tony said, it was like when you “put a sock on a dog and they don’t know how to walk. She did a little bit of that. . . . She was very careful about how she walked. That was an important part of the learning process.”

Now Shanthi takes the boots in stride.

The arthritis treatment seems to be working. The swelling in her left foot has eased. Keepers have to stuff some foam in the boot to make it fit — elephant orthotics — and Shanthi is more mobile and unafraid to amble down the steep incline into the pools, where she plays and rolls around.

“We’ve given her a good quality of life and improved her level of comfort,” said Don Neiffer, the National Zoo’s chief veterinarian.

On a recent afternoon, Deborah the elephant keeper knelt at Shanthi’s feet, separated from the elephant by widely-spaced bars. The world’s largest land mammal can be dangerous, after all.

“If she stood a foot away, I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Deborah said.

But Shanthi was standing up close, encouraged by Deborah’s calm patter and light touch — and by the apple-flavored fiber biscuits Deborah offered.

At just the tap of Deborah’s finger on a gnarled gray toe, Shanthi lifted her left foot. Deborah slid a boot under it, and Shanthi stepped down.

“Perfect,” Deborah said. “What a good girl.”

She sealed the Velcro closure, cinched the webbing at Shanthi’s ankle and then said “Over,” asking the elephant to rotate 180 degrees and present her right foot. This Shanthi did, pausing only to lazily grab some hay with her trunk.

Shanthi lifted her right foot, then, like Cinderella after the ball, gingerly stepped into the boot.

I’ve seen parents have more trouble getting their squirming toddler into a pair of sneakers.

Meet the Woman Who Has Taken it Upon Herself to Raise the Elephant Orphans

The ivory trade has been running rampant for decades now, and these poor gentle giants suffer immensely at the hands of it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of elephants are killed every year for their tusks to be sawed off and sold on the black market.

This can leave many baby elephants without the mothers they need to take care of them, and they end up dying as well. It can be difficult to track down these poachers and see that they’re brought to justice, but one woman is taking the task into her own hands to ensure that these creatures are no longer mistreated and murdered for their tusks.

Since 1977, Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick has taken it upon herself to raise the elephant orphans who have suffered both physical and emotional injuries from the loss of their mothers.

They’re provided with enough space to roam, and each have their own handler to care for them throughout the day to ensure that all of their needs are met.

Her years of study have helped her to develop a formula that is similar to an elephant mother’s milk, making it easier for these babies to develop as they should to be big and strong.

Daphne’s main goal is to help these creatures recover so that they can be returned to the wild and help to repopulate the wild herds that have been diminishing in numbers.

Daphne is so passionate about the ending of the ivory trade that her open arms have been extended to rhinos as well, whose numbers are dwindling into the verge of extinction. Watch the video below.

Meet Ruger, The First Anti-Poaching Dog in Zambia, Where He is Now Responsible for Putting 150 Poachers Out of Business

Ruger, once considered a “bad” dog, is perfect for his job.  Because he had a very rough start in life, he was aggressive and would snap at people, but part of his personality has made him easily trained to become the first anti-poaching dog in Zambia, where he is now responsible for putting 150 poachers out of business.

“Bad dogs have an overwhelming desire to bring you things,” Megan Parker told The Guardian. “Dogs love telling you what they know. They have an inability to quit.

”Parker is the director of research at Working Dogs for Conservation in Montana.  She searches shelters for difficult, “unadoptable” dogs who’d have no problem putting poachers in their place.

Ruger was born on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana.  When he was young, his owner shot his littermates, but he was able to flee.  He wound up in a shelter, where he was noticed by a trainer who told WD4C about him.

At first, Ruger was aggressive, and would bite people.  Parker had a hard time getting him to the vet, and he hated small spaces.  But there was something about him that encouraged her to keep working with him.  However, there was something else that stood in Ruger’s way of becoming an anti-poaching dog at all.

“Early on in his training, Meg was under pressure from her colleagues to decide if Ruger would make the cut,” said Pete Coppolillo, executive director at WD4C. “If a dog doesn’t work out, we make sure they have a forever home. We all wondered if Meg should start finding a place for Ruger, who was losing his sight.

”But she knew that Ruger had the drive necessary to make the cut.

“These dogs have an unrelenting drive,” she said. “For a dog that doesn’t stop, you can train that dog to bring you things.”

Parker was eventually able to match up Ruger with the Delta Team scouts, a law enforcement unit operated by the South Luangwa Conservation Society and the Zambia Wildlife Authority.  The scouts had little experience with dogs, and were leery of the idea that a dog could help.

Ruger proved his worth at his first day on the job.  Roadblocks were set up to search vehicles for illegal paraphernalia.

“It takes humans an hour or more to search a car,” said Coppolillo, “whereas it takes dogs three to four minutes.”

Ruger sat down and glared at one of the passing cars.

“That’s his alert [signal],” Coppolillo continued.

Several pieces of luggage were inside the vehicle, and the scouts who searched them came up empty-handed.  But Ruger kept his eye on one bag, which contained a matchbox in a plastic bag.  Inside of it was a primer cap, which ignites gunpowder in the illegal muzzle loaders that poachers rely on.

“At that moment, everyone believed that Ruger knew what he was doing,” said Coppolillo. “They learned to think of Ruger as a colleague.”

Now he’s been a valuable team member for a year and a half.

“He’s a hero who’s responsible for dozens of arrests and has convinced many skeptics of his detection skills,” Coppolillo noted.

Some people likened his skills to witchcraft, but at a courthouse demonstration, a scout hid a piece of ivory and Ruger found it in only a couple minutes.  And his deteriorating vision hasn’t impaired him one bit.

“His skills have sharpened.  He’s working with a few younger dogs, who are somewhat goofy and get distracted like most puppies do,” Coppolillo said. “Ruger remains focused despite many distractions, such as having wild animals close by. Baboons are the worst. His lack of eyesight works in his favor because he almost entirely focuses on his sense of smell.

”Because the work is very dangerous, Ruger does not have to work every day, and Godfrey, a scout, rewards him with games of tug-of-war when he nabs someone.

“Poachers are well-armed and well-trained,” Coppolillo said. “African elephants don’t live throughout the continent. Poachers kill elephants where they reside and smuggle them to places where they don’t live to throw law enforcement off their tracks.

”Though it is illegal to hunt within South Luangwa National Park’s boundaries, poachers do it anyway, and over the years, many scouts have colluded with them.  Good scouts are hard to come by, and in Africa, it’s even more difficult to find dogs like Ruger.

“Good dog selection is absolutely essential,” Coppolillo said. “Village dogs simply don’t have the drive to do this kind of work. There are only a handful of suitable and reputable kennels in Africa. Most are focused on selling security and military dogs, so they’re not as well socialized as a conservation dog needs to be. Plus, they generally sell those dogs for much more than what it would cost us to source a dog in the US.

”Parker will continue her dedicated work of finding suitable American shelter dogs to send to Africa to keep saving the lives of countless elephants.

Adorable Video: A Rescued Baby Elephant Falls Head Over Hooves for a Human

A rescued baby elephant has found his new crush and it isn't another elephant. Get ready for four perfect minutes of love, cuddles, and friendship when this baby elephant falls head over hooves for a human. He even tries to sit on his lap! Who wouldn't want a baby elephant to fall in love with them?

Professional Game Hunter Ian Gibson Killed by a Young Bull Elephant

A young bull elephant killed professional hunter Ian Gibson early on Wednesday as he tracked a lion for an American client in a rugged part of north-east Zimbabwe.

Mr. Gibson, 55, one of Zimbabwe's best known big game hunters, died scouting for prey in the Zambezi Valley after a young bull elephant charged, then knelt on him and crushed him to death.

"We don't yet know the full details of how 'Gibbo' as we called him, died, as the American client and the trackers are still too traumatized to give us full details," said Paul Smith, Managing Director, of Chifuti Safaris' which employed Mr. Gibson for the hunt.

The American hunter was on his first trip to Zimbabwe, and only has one leg, but was "fit and strong" and had already shot a leopard. Mr. Gibson was scouting for lions when he encountered the elephant.

Mr. Gibson's trackers said the young bull had been in a musth period, which means it was producing much more testosterone then usual.

"We know 'Gibbo' shot it once, from about 10 yards away, with a 458 rifle. He would never have fired unless he had no alternative. He was a hunter, yes, but he was also a magnificent wildlife photographer and conservationist.

"He was so experienced and this is a most unexpected tragedy."

Mr. Gibson was accompanying his client in an area known as Chiwore North, in the southern part of the Zambezi Valley, which Mr. Smith said is overpopulated with elephants.

Now, 34 Years Later, 'Roar', Labeled ' the Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made' to Return to Theaters: No Animals Were Harmed During the Making of This Movie

Labeled as the most dangerous movie ever made, "Roar" was the ill-fated brainchild of Alfred Hitchcock, muse Hedren and her then-husband, "Exorcist" producer Noel Marshall. Years past schedule and millions over budget, Hollywood eventually lost interest in "Roar" and the film was never released in North America.

Now, 34 years later, Drafthouse Films is giving "Roar" its big-screen due, re-releasing it in six theaters nationwide on Friday, then expanding it to about 50 cities through May. A DVD release is planned for later this summer.

The story loosely follows a wildlife preservationist whose family comes to visit him and is attacked in their home by the animals. Most of the film has the cast running and hiding in fear as they narrowly escape the all too real danger. Dozens of scenes show full grown lions chasing the actors, pawing at their faces and even wrestling them to the ground.

While the exact number of on-set injuries remains a point of contention, the "Roar" shoot was an OSHA nightmare. Many wounds were well-documented in press coverage at the time and also in Hedren's 1985 book "The Cats of Shambala," referring to her Shambala Preserve north of Los Angeles, where "Roar" was filmed.

In one instance, Hedren was bitten on the back of the head by a lion. She also suffered fractures and skin grafts after being thrown by an elephant. Then-teenager Melanie Griffith — who quit the project for a time because she didn't want to come out of it with "half a face," according to her mother — returned to the set, only to be mauled and clawed by a lion.

Marshall, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, suffered so many bites, including a few that made the final cut, that he was eventually stricken with gangrene. And Dutch cinematographer Jan de Bont, in his first U.S. shoot, required 120 stitches after being scalped by a lion.

"I got bit really bad early on," said Noel Marshall's son, John Marshall, who wore many hats on set in addition to acting in the film. He recalled a harrowing moment when a male lion latched onto his head. It took six men 25 minutes to separate the two. That encounter required 56 stitches.

"It was a very traumatic bite. But I went back two days later," he said.

Noel Marshall (who died in 2010) was a fearless and unsympathetic leader during the shoot at Shambala, where the family lived. According to his son, the director often refused to call "cut," even when the actors (mostly family members) cried out for help. He never wanted to lose a take. He also couldn't show any weakness in front of the animals, his son said.

"Melanie and Tippi would try to gravitate to scenes with me. I would put their lives ahead of mine and they knew that," said John Marshall, who was basically the only person on set who could stand up to his father.

As one of the few cast members willing to help promote the "Roar" re-release, John Marshall said he still gets nightmares about the experience.

"Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time. But it was stupid," he said.

During the production, the Shambala Preserve set, located in rustic Soledad Canyon 50 miles north of Los Angeles, was destroyed by two wild fires and one flood. A few lions escaped during the deluge and local law enforcement had to shoot three of them.

And yet, as authentic as the terror is, "Roar's" flimsy story and cheesy script are sorely lacking. Even Hedren admitted as much after seeing the film at its Australia premiere.

The $17 million film only made $2 million internationally. It was also the death knell for Hedren's marriage to Noel Marshall.

And "Roar's" problems continue.

Hedren had invited The Associated Press to her Shambala home for an interview about "Roar" and concerns regarding promotion of the 're-release. But she canceled when the Board of Directors of the preserve and her Roar Foundation asked her not to speak publicly about the film.

Through a spokesman, Hedren did tell the AP that promotion for the re-release was filled with "inaccuracies" and that she was "not thrilled." She added, "There are too many for me to even begin to comment."

Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the hip, Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, uses press quotes like "snuff version of 'Swiss Family Robinson'" in its promos for "Roar."

"I think she's just lately come to not really be so proud of the film anymore," said Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO Tim League, who was tipped off to its existence (and harrowing production) by indie director Greg Marcks. He immediately went in search of the rights holder and reached a deal with Olive Films to co-release the film.


League tried to contact Hedren before announcing Drafthouse's plans to re-release the film but didn't hear back until after the announcement was made.

"The whole thing is a mess," said League. "A fascinating and lovable mess."

"No animals were harmed during the making of 'Roar.' But 70 members of the cast and crew were." So claims a trailer for the theatrical re-release of a little-seen 1981 adventure film starring Tippi Hedren, daughter Melanie Griffith and 150 lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants.

Online: http://drafthousefilms.com/film/roar
















This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," with actor John Marshall surrounded by lions. The movie is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," filmed with 132 lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and jaguars. The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2012 file photo, Tippi Hedren, right, and daughter, Melanie Griffith, attend Fox Fall Eco-Casino Party at The Bookbindery, in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and Griffith, with 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing from Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows director and star Noel Marshall in a scene from the film, “Roar.” The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows actresses Melanie Griffith, front, and Tippi Hedren in a scene from the film, “Roar.” The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2007 file photo, actress Tippi Hedren walks across a bridge at her Shambala Preserve in Acton, Calif., prior to a news conference to update the condition of a caretaker who was attacked by a 450-pound Bengal tiger. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, Tippi Hedren arrives at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP, File)

FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, Tippi Hedren arrives at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP, File)