The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary has been put on notice by an animal rights organization that it faces legal action.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) alleges the sanctuary has neglected its animals for years. It claims some have died of such neglect, including six snow leopards that it says didn’t receive adequate nutrition. PETA says a tiger cub with multiple broken bones was also recently removed from the facility.
Brittany Peet is a PETA lawyer.
“PETA has sent its notice of intent to sue the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act, including for denying federally protected animals including appropriate veterinary care, nutrition and housing,” Peet told NSPR.
The sanctuary has been under close scrutiny since the California Department of Fish and Wildlife opened a criminal investigation for possible animal welfare violations in February.
Peet said there are ways for the public to know if a facility takes proper care of its animals.
“The first thing that people can look at is whether the facility is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries,” Peet said. “That organization has the gold standard. Kirshner is not a member of that organizer.”
Peet said her organization demands that the sanctuary allow it to remove the endangered species lodged there to other facilities.
Unless Kirshner agrees to these transfers, PETA intends to file a lawsuit forcing them to do so.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has already relocated animals native to the state.
NSPR contacted Kirshner for comment but didn’t receive a response by deadline.
