The Darwins Are Out - 16 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

uncle phil · 02-14-2010, 03:20 AM

October 2008, Oklahoma

Peter G., 32, was passionate about animals. With his huge heart and gift of connecting with animals, he was the perfect volunteer at Safari's Animal Sanctuary in Broken Arrow. Perfect until he violated the rules and entered the liger cage during feeding, that is.

You may ask, as I asked, "What's a liger?"

Ligers are unusual animals, a sterile cross between a male lion and a female tiger, and (like mules) not a species in their own right. Although a liger is an evolutionary dead end, this powerful hybrid is the largest of cats. The particular liger that lived in Broken Arrow was known as a big baby - but it was not a domestic animal. The wildlife sanctuary manager said, "In all my years we've stressed that whatever you do, don't open that gate."

Peter opened that gate.

With a history of working with animals at the Tulsa Zoo and at the local sanctuary, he was well aware of the dangers posed by captive wild animals. He of all people should have known better than to assume his gift for communication would make him invulnerable to harm. You would think.

But Peter entered the liger cage during feeding time for reasons unknown, only to become an appetizer for the hungry carnivore. Although he dragged himself out of the cage before becoming the main course, he died in the hospital that very night.

Peter was loved, and he will be missed. But by not following very obvious safety rules, Peter G. was behaving with all the care and caution typical of a Darwin Award winner...

02-14-2010, 03:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
uncle phil comfortably numb... Super Moderator Location: upstate	The Darwins Are Out - 16 October 2008, Oklahoma Peter G., 32, was passionate about animals. With his huge heart and gift of connecting with animals, he was the perfect volunteer at Safari's Animal Sanctuary in Broken Arrow. Perfect until he violated the rules and entered the liger cage during feeding, that is. You may ask, as I asked, "What's a liger?" Ligers are unusual animals, a sterile cross between a male lion and a female tiger, and (like mules) not a species in their own right. Although a liger is an evolutionary dead end, this powerful hybrid is the largest of cats. The particular liger that lived in Broken Arrow was known as a big baby - but it was not a domestic animal. The wildlife sanctuary manager said, "In all my years we've stressed that whatever you do, don't open that gate." Peter opened that gate. With a history of working with animals at the Tulsa Zoo and at the local sanctuary, he was well aware of the dangers posed by captive wild animals. He of all people should have known better than to assume his gift for communication would make him invulnerable to harm. You would think. But Peter entered the liger cage during feeding time for reasons unknown, only to become an appetizer for the hungry carnivore. Although he dragged himself out of the cage before becoming the main course, he died in the hospital that very night. Peter was loved, and he will be missed. But by not following very obvious safety rules, Peter G. was behaving with all the care and caution typical of a Darwin Award winner... __________________ "We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it.