In 1992 the Italian Offices of the Bellerive Foundation
opened a non-profit international organization for the conservation of
nature and for the protection of all forms of life.
The Bellerive Foundation was established in 1977 in
Geneva by Prince Sadrudin Aga Khan, the High Commissioner for refuges
and Deputy chairman for humanitarian problems within the United Nation.
In July 1977 Prince Sadruddin left the Chair of the Bellerive
Foundation, Italy and set up a fund for continuity of the organization
he created.
The Bellerive Foundation, Italy has now taken the name:
Animal and Nature Conservation Fund (ANCF).
One of the projects they are involved with is Duca, a
male "mixed" tiger, a cross between Siberian and Bengal, a typical
circus "mix". He was living near Rome in a small enclosure 2.5 mt x 4.00
mt, with cement floor, without a pool, without a post for his claws, and
ate only chicken and turkey for 12 years.
His enclosure was in a camping ground, near the swimming
pool. At the beginning of 1999 the owner could no longer care for Duca
and made an appeal to have him removed to where he could be better
maintained. If this could not be accomplished, Duca would have been
killed. Only Animal and Nature Conservation Fund was interested in
Duca's condition.
I went to visit Duca. When I arrived, I could see Duca
in his terrible enclosure, I felt that I had to do something for him.
So, Animal and Nature Conservation Fund, started to find a new home for
Duca. It wasn't simple, but finally we found The Pantera Foundation in
Holland.
On 8/10/1999 Duca left his terrible enclosure for his
new home in Holland. He had to go through quarantine, but he started to
eat proper food for the first time, he started to communicate with the
other tiger, he had his first bath in a pool, and he "tasted" the ground
and the grass for his first time.
We are happy because we know for sure that the Duca's
nightmare is finished, but we know very well, that all over the world
there are a lot of animals that are still living in the same situation.
There is a lot of this type of situation in Italy. The
most terrible thing is that in Italy, it's possible to kill a protected
animal without any problems. A lot of private owners in Italy have wild
animals in small enclosures and in terrible conditions.
We would like to give them a new life. Rescuing Duca
cost ANCF $3800. The ANCF also is involved with rescuing marine
creatures like dolphins and seals.
For more information in this organization, please go to
the following website:
ANCF HomePage
http://www.ancf.it/ancfeng/index.html
Source: Giovanni.Baconcini@mail1.mclink.it
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