PETA files complaint over leopard attack

Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary under scrutiny after attack on volunteer while leopard was being fed.

OROVILLE >> People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals submitted a complaint with USDA Director Robert Gibbens on Wednesday urging the federal agency to investigate the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary following a Feb. 20 incident when an Amur leopard attacked a volunteer while feeding.

Director Roberta Kirshner explained at a press conference following the attack that two volunteers were feeding the leopard — one inside and one outside of its enclosure — when “it jumped one of the girls.”

The volunteer was transported to Enloe Medical Center and stayed overnight for observation. The injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to Cal Fire-Butte County’s Rick Carhart.

PETA alleged the wildlife foundation violated portions of the federal Animal Welfare Act for prohibition of “direct contact between dangerous animals and the public,” including volunteers, and requirements that “enclosures keep animals contained and that exhibitors demonstrate adequate knowledge of the species in their care.” The organization suggested Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary’s protocols are inadequate.

“Any big- cat expert knows that sending a volunteer into a cage with a powerful predator is a recipe for disaster,” said Debbie Metzler, PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement, in a press release. “The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation either doesn’t know what it’s doing or doesn’t care, and PETA is calling on the USDA to hold this sham sanctuary accountable for placing volunteers, visitors, and big cats at serious risk.”

Kirshner said at the Feb. 21 press conference they have pages of protocols established for the interactions between volunteers and animals. They said the animal was never a threat to the public outside of its enclosure, which includes an inner and outer fence, the latter of which is electrified, said volunteer Angie Bracco.

“These are dangerous animals,” Kirshner said. “I’ve been doing this 30 years, and I’ve never had anything like this happen.”

Kirshner said the leopard, which was raised at the facility, is going to be kept on-site.

“It’s not its fault. We just gotta take more precautions because we don’t want this to happen again,” she said.

The wildlife sanctuary has been cited in the past for AWA violations, with fines totaling $5,464, for six separate violations between November 2011 and August 2014. Five of the violations were for handling of animals, and one for failing “to establish and maintain programs of veterinary care,” according to a copy of the USDA document addressed to Kirshner.

PETA has a long history of opposing certain wildlife operations, including the Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary, it believes have been exploited by the animalentertainment industry by claiming they support species conservation in order to attract customers.

Metzler and PETA released a statement shortly after the Feb. 21 incident, saying the leopard attack was “no surprise.”

“PETA hopes the public will now see this so- called ‘ wildlife foundation’ for the sham sanctuary that it is — an outfit with a history of Tiger King- style cub petting, a previous penalty for endangering the public, and a volunteer’s blood on its hands,” the statement read in part.

Messages left with the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary were not returned by deadline.