Shipwrecked Animals in Peril . . . Please Help!

[TaoJones]

In today's issue of 'Lectronic Latitude, there is a story about a dog and a blue-and-gold macaw that were aboard a sailboat that ran aground and was destroyed on Fanning Island in the South Pacific. These animals were left behind when their owners returned to the US, but because they cannot legally be "imported" into Fanning, they must be removed or they will be destroyed.

I've been advised by the author of the piece that the local policeman wants very much to aid in the rescue of the dog, which runs loose on the island and must fend for him/herself, fighting for scraps with the local dogs. But the bird will be killed and eaten by the locals if it isn't removed soon. Of course, that's easier said than done, and the red tape to get them safely back to the US will be daunting.

Here's the 'Lectronic Latitude story:

"Experienced Cruisers Need Rescuing

"March 24, 2008 – Fanning Island, Kiribati

"Some of you may recall the strange tale of the Darla Jean, a 48-ft motorsailor that washed up on Fanning Island last December after spending 95 days "drifting" across the Pacific from Moss Landing. On board with owners Jerry and Darla Merrow were their two pets, Gulliver, a five-year-old Macaw parrot, and Snickers the dog.

Much like a pig at slaughter, every last piece of the wrecked Darla Jean was used by the locals.
© 2008 Roland Klein

"After spending nearly two weeks on Fanning with literally just the clothes on their backs, Jerry and Darla hopped a ride on the interisland supply ship Kwai and made their way back to California. Unfortunately, the Kwai wouldn't allow them to take their animals along so they remained in the care of some islanders.

"Robby and Lorraine Coleman of the Honolulu-based Angelman ketch Southern Cross — who've been on Fanning for several months — report that the local officials are being pressured by authorities on Christmas Island to either send the animals back to the U.S. or destroy them (it's illegal to import animals). No one wants to see the animals killed so, after repeated attempts at contacting the Merrows failed, Robby and Lauraine contacted us for help.

"Through Darla's family we learned that the Merrows will not be making it back to Fanning anytime soon — according to Darla's son, Steve Cliche, they've been busy making appearances on talk shows like The Montel Williams Show — and they hope someone might be willing to save their beloved pets from a death sentence. Both animals are seasoned sailors — Snickers came onboard as a puppy right before they left Moss Landing — and are well-socialized.

Gulliver the parrot and Snickers the dog will be slaughtered too, if someone doesn't come to their rescue.
© 2008 Robby Coleman

" 'Benaia, the local policeman, said he'd release the animals to someone else if arrangements could be made to get them off Fanning,' the Colemans said. 'They're doing well, but this is a tough place — survival of the fittest.' Though Robby and Lorraine don't have room for pets aboard Southern Cross, they are more than willing to help coordinate a rescue, whether by air or sea. 'The supply ship Kwai will be coming around here in mid-April,' they report. 'We could put the animals onboard when it heads back to Christmas Island, where they'd have to be claimed.'

"If you think you can help Gulliver and Snickers, email us and we'll put you in touch with Robby and Lorraine."

- latitude / ld

* * * * *

If you agree that these innocent animals don't deserve to pay with their lives for their owners' negligence, please help if you can.

TaoJones

[deepblueme]

I want to know why the owners of these pets are not taking care of this?
Especaily if they have time for "they've been busy making appearances on talk shows like The Montel Williams Show".

[Pelagic]

Lets see……

The people there with a yacht that could take the animals don’t want to as it is inconvenient, but plead for someone else to come and relieve them of any guilt.

The local gendarme sees an opportunity for a well funded rescue operation to hire his services.

Meanwhile, recipes are being discussed by the rest of the locals.

Cynical B*st*rd aren’t I ?

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Lets see……

The people there with a yacht that could take the animals don’t want to as it is inconvenient, but plead for someone else to come and relieve them of any guilt.

The local gendarme sees an opportunity for a well funded rescue operation to hire his services.

Meanwhile, recipes are being discussed by the rest of the locals.

Cynical B*st*rd aren’t I ?

No, you've summed up the situation pretty well.

I believe the on-scene cruisers are honestly doing their best to help rescue the animals. At least, I will accept their efforts as well-intentioned until proven otherwise.

I have only the reporter's representation of the local police officer, and that came from the on-scene cruiser, so who knows? The bottom line, for me, is that these animals are completely innocent. I have offered to give them a good home, and to foot the bill for returning them to the States, but I'm not kidding myself about the odds on getting such a rescue attempt through the massive bureaucratic BS that it would take.

That's why I am hoping that kind-hearted cruisers closer to the scene can aid in saving these creatures.

TaoJones

[TaoJones]

Captain Robby Coleman and his wife Lorraine are the Hawaii-based cruisers who are doing their best to get the animals on their way home. He'd rather his email address was not given out on Cruisers Forum, but anyone who wants to get in touch with the Colemans can contact the author of the 'Lectronic Latitude story at: ladonna@latitude38.com

If you make her aware of your desire to help, even if it's just to provide a contact whom you believe might know how to facilitate the animals re-patriation, she can provide the Coleman's email address. Keep in mind that the original owners of Snickers and Gulliver lost everything when their vessel was destroyed, including their passports and any paperwork that proved the animals were US "citizens."

Come on, cruisers, these innocent animals can be rescued if we try hard enough.

TaoJones

[TaoJones]

From today's 'Lectronic Latitude, LaDonna Bubak has updated the story of the animals marooned on Fanning Island. The odds were against a successful outcome for either the dog or the macaw, but the diligent efforts of many kind people has resulted in the rescue of Snickers, the eight-month-old Cocker Spaniel.

In the last half hour, I received an email from Robby Coleman, the cruiser who's on Fanning Island, letting me know that Snickers was successfully rounded up, cleaned, dusted for external parasites, put in the carrier provided by the Hawaii Humane Society, taken aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines The Spirit of Aloha, and has sailed for Honolulu. The ship was only at Fanning Island for six hours, so the window of opportunity was small.

Things are not looking nearly as hopeful for Gulliver, the blue-and-gold macaw. Here's LaDonna's story:

* * * * *

Snickers Rescue is Imminent

April 9, 2008 – Fanning Island, Kiribati

After our March 24 'Lectronic Latitude story about the grim future for two pets abandoned by their American owners on Fanning Island after their boat wrecked on the atoll, we received a hopeful email from a dog and parrot lover in Nevada who wanted to save both animals.

TaoJones, as he prefers to be known, has spent countless hours working to get Gulliver the parrot and Snickers the dog off of Fanning and back in the U.S. With the invaluable help of Robby and Lorraine Coleman, American cruisers who are on Fanning aboard their Angelman ketch Southern Cross, not to mention the efforts of Rigo Neira of the Hawaiian Humane Society to cut through the red tape, it appears that Snickers will be the first to escape a terrible fate.

Through their tireless communications with the U.S. government, the state of Hawaii and Norwegian Cruise Lines, the necessary equipment — crates, food, flea powder, paperwork, etc. — are on their way to Fanning as you read this. The Colemans will deliver Snickers to the crew of the appropriately named Pride of Aloha where he'll be treated as an honored guest of the captain while on the way to Hawaii. TaoJones will be there to greet Snickers and whisk him away to his new home where he'll be loved and cared for. Miraculously, this will be the last time a NCL ship will stop at Fanning.

If U.S. officials don't bend the rules, Gulliver - who responds excitedly to English - will eventually be killed.
© 2008 Lorraine Coleman

Gulliver's fate, however, looks grim. Though he has a leg band, there is no number inscribed on it. TaoJones' research leads him to believe that the bird may have been bred illegally. "If he were properly banded and registered when he was a hatchling, I think it might be possible to re-patriate him to the U.S.," he said. "The way the authorities here look at it, he's possibly the product of illegal trade in endangered species, or he may be infected with avian influenza, or both. As I'm sure you know, bureaucrats aren't in the habit of sticking their necks out, and making exceptions, but I will continue to work for Gulliver's rescue."

While the local authorities want nothing more than to see Gulliver, who has many friends on the island, find his way home, the Kiribati government takes a dim view on illegally imported animals, especially birds, and are pressuring the Fanning officials to destroy him. "If they can be persuaded that many people are working in Gulliver's behalf," surmised TaoJones, "perhaps they can grant him more time while we try to find a solution."

We'll keep you updated on any developments but, in the meantime, if you know of any government officials who could help Gulliver, contact LaDonna.

- latitude / ld

* * * * *

When time permits, I'll relate the entire saga - it was pretty amazing, and there are some great people who must be acknowledged.

TaoJones

[cathyoz]

i find it So selfish to take dogs on boats...
little dog or cat , juste for short cruise , or week -end o.k, but not for offshore sailing..
sometime i see theses big dog on boats, long salty hair, they are hot and lonely ..
they sit there in the sun in the deck,waiting for they so call "captain", come back from the shore..
it is unfair , selfish
big dogs need space and running , and playing..

[GordMay]

TaoJones:
Good on ya!

[Fishspearit]

Good job TaoJones!! Is the little guy with you now? Post up a Pic of Snickers.

CathOz, funny thing about dogs, they're amazingly adaptable. They love lounging in the cockpit, the roll of the ocean, looking at fish and dolphins, and the feel of beach sand between their toes just like humans who go cruising.

[cathyoz]

Originally Posted by Fishspearit

Good job TaoJones!! Is the little guy with you now? Post up a Pic of Snickers.

CathOz, funny thing about dogs, they're amazingly adaptable. They love lounging in the cockpit, the roll of the ocean, looking at fish and dolphins, and the feel of beach sand between their toes just like humans who go cruising.

!!!!!!!!what people only read what they want to hear?!!!!!!!

i say little dogs are fine on short sail , or live aboard
but sorry , a big german shepard or even labrador on a 30 fts boat ...in the tropiques !!
or 3 dogs in a 27 fts like i see here in Noosa river !!
it is a totally shelfish way

i had dog myself an take care often dogs for friends...
and the best time is when i take them to the "doggy park or beach "
where they will run and play with other dogs !!!!!!!
like human , they trive in compagny of other dogs, doing dogs thing...

by the way , in Australia , most of the islands and beautifull shores are National park , where theorcly, no dog are allowed , so most of dogs DO stay ONBOARD , very hot and lonely....
i used to have a cross terrier/chiwawa, and use to take her everywhere on my kayak and run on the beach, and short sails..she did love fishing..
BUT i remember she was so happy to come back home TOO!!
but she become best mate with a other terrier 'Max" , of the women who used to take care of her when i was away, and Pupuce fell so much in love with her little dog Max , so i told Margot , she could keep pupuce.
the two dogs love each other, pupuce still reconised me when i go to that parc by the beach..sometime she come for a ride on a kayak too
but she is so much happy on land with her mate , that i did not have the heart to separe her, and take her back with me to my life on the boat 5 months of the year , juste for a selfish compagnonship...

by the way , dogs suffer of sea sickness too ...

and when i was young i live in my timber boat like a gypsi with a doberman , a black cat , and a bird ..not my own animal , but find myself caring for them !!!!
but it was more like a live aboard , and i was 20 , so i now more now ( hopefully )to resist ending with with lost animal , and "soul"..
hummmmmmmm...do I ????
YES , i must !!!

[mariner98]

Hi folks - just got an e-mail from my husband, who's an officer on the Pride of Aloha. Snickers is aboard, safe and sound, and on his way to Maui.

[High Cotton]

BEAUTIFUL !!!
SNICKERS must be one happy pooch....... I bet he could use a marguirita with the little umbrella !!!

[TaoJones]

Here is a picture of Snickers, in the arms of Mark, the young crew-member from Pride of Aloha who gave Snickers his first haircut. He had started growing the typical Cocker coat in his four months on the loose on Fanning Island, and had gotten a lot of un-combable tangles.

Since he needed to be dusted with flea powder, and the powder is most effective down at the skin level, removing the tangled hair was necessary.

[I'm sorry, everyone. After years on a PC, I'm transitioning to a new MacBook. At sixty, it's not so intuitive, so chances are the picture I'm trying to upload isn't going to appear.]

Here's some more information on the rescue of Snickers.

Norwegian Cruise Lines kindly agreed to take Snickers aboard for the ride back to Honolulu - and, amazingly, this is the last time NCL will have Fanning Island on their itinerary. They will be back in Hawaiian waters soon, but go first to Maui, then Kona, then Kauai (I think) before arriving back in Honolulu on Wednesday, the 16th.

At that point, Snickers will go through Customs, then be taken to the animal quarantine facility nearby. There he will be given a thorough physical exam, any necessary shots and a Certificate of Good Health. At some point thereafter, probably the 19th, he will be taken back to the airport for a complimentary flight to the mainland.

I will meet that flight, and Snickers will soon be living in my new home. If you think you've ever had some difficult times dealing with some petty customs official, imagine trying to rescue two marooned animals from thousands of miles away, who sailed away from the west coast of the US without the necessary paperwork. Bound for Hawaii, the ship becomes disabled, drifts for 95 days across the Pacific, then crashes onto the fringing reef at Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati.

The ship and everything aboard are a total loss, except for the two crew, the puppy and the macaw. The animals, though, have now entered a foreign country where importation of animals is forbidden. What is more, the two humans aboard the vessel return to California within two weeks with just the clothes they're wearing. The animals are left behind in the care of one of the kind inhabitants of Fanning Island.

When the government of Kiribati, seated on Christmas Island, learns that the animals' owners have no intention of returning to Fanning to reclaim their pets, the powers that be order them destroyed.

A worldwide effort is begun when the two cruisers who are at Fanning, Lorraine and Robby Coleman, send the information on the animals' plight to Latitude 38. LaDonna Bubak writes the story, and it appears in 'Lectronic Latitude on March 24. When I read the story, just five days after having my sweet, crippled, 15+ year-old Border Collie euthanized, and one week before the scheduled closing on my new home, I call LaDonna to see if there is anything I can do.

After I have all of the information that LaDonna can give me that wasn't in her original story, I start trying to research what can be done. My first call is to Dr. Tim Falls, port veterinarian for the Port of Honolulu. He is a wealth of information, and I quickly learn that, where I had thought the bird would be easy to get back and the puppy difficult, it is going to be just the opposite.

When I find out just how difficult rescuing Gulliver, the macaw, will be, I decide to concentrate my efforts on saving Snickers. At that point, I didn't know if Snickers was male or female, large or small, or anything else about him, just that he was in a desperate situation.

I called Dr. Falls back and asked what he felt I needed to do to legally have Snickers returned to Hawaii. Understand, importing animals into Hawaii is one of the most difficult things to do, even if it flies there directly from Los Angeles and has never set foot outside the US. It quickly became apparent that I needed someone right in Honolulu to help me, and Dr. Falls suggested I contact the Hawaiian Humane Society, because, he said, "They've done things like this before."

Rigo Neira, director of operations at HHS, was the angel I needed on my side. After deciding that it wasn't some elaborate April Fool's hoax (he asked me point blank) he put an unbelievable amount of effort into effecting a rescue. He persuaded Norwegian Cruise Lines that they would look heroic if they cooperated. He persuaded Customs and quarantine that helping this poor dog was a kind thing to do. And he persuaded me that there are still decent people who do the right thing just because it's right.

With all of the agreements in place, Rigo drove down to the dock early on the morning of April 5th with animal carriers for both Snickers and Gulliver, a leash, flea powder, food, a flea collar and, I'm sure, more besides. Pride of Aloha would be stopping over at Fanning Island for only six hours, so a release of ownership rights naming me and signed by an official of the government of Kiribati had to be in receipt on the ship before they made port, Robby and Lorraine had to have rounded-up Snickers and be waiting for the ship, they had to meet up with a designated crew-member to get the items, clean Snickers up as best they could, get him into the carrier and aboard the tender for transport to the ship.

It went as planned, I'm told, and Snickers is said to have enjoyed the ride out to the ship in the tender, but he was "very, very tired." He is happily entertaining the young crew aboard the ship, and being entertained by them.

So far, so good. When I figure out how to post pics, I will do so.

Thank you, everyone, for your interest and support.

TaoJones

PS: I was just forwarded the following - it's a message sent to Robby from Captain Hoyt, Master of Pride of Aloha:

Subject: Fwd:From Captain Hoyt of the Pride of Aloha
Robby,
I'm glad you were able to come out. The voyaging community is a small
one spread over a vast area, so it is special to be able to connect back
into it. Hope Borau was digging the new things. Snickers is thriving.
He is eating regularly, appeared to have slept the night, and now comes
up to people to be petted. Still has a way to go, but has come light
years in one day. Seems healthy, just skinny. Fair Winds!

Best Regards,

Evans Hoyt| Master

M/S Pride of Aloha

[swagman]

Congratulations TaoJones. A job well done.
JOHN

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

... And he [sic: Rigo Neira] persuaded me that there are still decent people who do the right thing just because it's right...

You didn’t need Rigo, Tao - just a mirror.