Performing Animal Welfare Society PAWScast

Minnie Memorial Video

In Memoriam: Minnie 1955-2009

With deep sadness I write that we lost Minnie last Wednesday evening, January 21. The following is an update from Pat regarding her passing: For the past few months, Minnie had been experiencing a recurrence of her urinary tract infections and bladder problems which have plagued her for many years. This was the first incident in three years, and we hoped that the miraculous effects produced by her cranberry diet might have cured her. During this last bout, Minnie refused most food and ...

KTVU San Francisco Update: Lulu and Nicholas

We were thrilled yesterday when Tom Vacar of KTVU Channel 2 News in San Francisco visited ARK 2000 for an update on Lulu, formerly of the SF Zoo. Lulu's progress from an insecure and isolated elephant to a fully integrated member of the PAWS African group has been, as Pat says, "our biggest success story." Click Lulu's picture to view the story. During his visit, Tom also met Nicholas, the young Asian bull, and included an interview with Ed Stewart on the plight of captive bulls and PAWS...

Maggie's Holiday Greeting

Enjoy a holiday greeting from Maggie herself, created by Alaskan wildlife cinematographer Daniel Zatz. In addition to making this wonderful video, Daniel and his family have spent days up at ARK 2000 helping us with our webcam infrastructure. His company, SeeMore Wildlife, has been integral in our webcam expansion project and we can't thank him enough!

Nicholas and Gypsy Move to ARK 2000

At last, Nicholas and Gypsy are HOME. Construction of the bull barn finally complete, on November 23, 2008, Nicholas and Gypsy made the move to their new habitat at ARK 2000. Bob Barker was on hand to celebrate and welcome them home. Click here to read more on the PAWS website. And to top it all off, today is Nicholas' birthday!

Beloved 71 Passes Away

With the deepest sorrow I must let you know that 71, one of PAWS' cherished African elephants, peacefully passed away this weekend. Her PAWS family was with her. She was 26 years old. 71 was born in Africa and shipped to the United States after her mother was killed in a cull. Assigned and tagged #71, and slated to be sold as a baby circus elephant, she and a few others in the group ended up being purchased by a man in Florida who owned a large estate. Without her mother's care she was mal...

Maggie Heads to the Lake

Maggie has now fully integrated into the ARK African elephant group and she is taking advantage of every inch of the habitat. In this update, join Maggie on her foray to the lake.

Ruby & Bob Barker Celebrate her First Anniversary at PAWS

On May 15, 2008, Ruby celebrated the first anniversary of her transition to PAWS from the LA Zoo. Ruby's staunch benefactor, the wonderful Bob Barker, visited PAWS and brought Ruby a cake to commemorate the festivities. See video of Bob Barker's visit, as well as Ruby's overall transition, in the most recent PAWScast video update. And this just in: the Animal Planet series "My New Wild Life," featuring PAWS, has been slated to air daily starting June 30 at 3pm! Check the Animal Planet we...

Maggie's Migration PAWScast Video Update

We know it's been awhile since we brought you a new update... It's been a busy spring at PAWS! The Animal Planet Series "My New Wild Life," featuring PAWS, is now on the air Sundays at 7am Eastern Time. (Yep, that's 4am on the West Coast. Groan.) If you love the show as much as we do, send Animal Planet an email asking for a better time slot. Ruby celebrated her first anniversary with Bob Barker, and Bob also paid a visit to Nicholas and Gypsy in May. Check out the PAWS website for de...

Nicholas and Gypsy Update

Nicholas and Gypsy, the last of the Illinois Hawthorn elephants, have been at PAWS for almost one full year, and news of them is long overdue. In this update, Ed Stewart talks about breaking ground on the bull habitat construction at ARK 2000 and the additional requirements of keeping bulls. Gypsy and Nic are doing well and we're delighted that their quarantine period is almost complete. The first anniversary of their arrival at PAWS will be April 1st, 2008. We want to say thanks to all o...

Out with the Asian Elephants at ARK

All the love and attention lavished on Maggie in recent weeks has diverted the limelight a bit from the dear Asian girls, and we know you're eager for news of them, too! Maggie is doing beautifully, and her daily visits with her companions are growing longer and progressively less eventful every time. You can watch that process unfold on our webcam at approximately 2:00 pm Pacific time. In this video update we spent the morning with Wanda, Minnie, Rebecca and Annie in the Asian Habitat at ...

Maggie Has Joined the Group!

On February 13, 2008, Maggie made her first foray into the large African Elephant habitat with her four companions 71, Mara, Lulu and Ruby. Maggie and the others were excited to finally socialize without a barrier, rumbling and trumpeting their greeting in true African elephant style. PAWS' staff will continue this routine daily, gradually increasing the interval to build Maggie's confidence and physical stamina, until she is fully integrated. Watch the highlights of Maggie's first outing ...

Pat's Latest Update -- Maggie's First Tree!

We know you've been anxious for news of Maggie, so thanks for your patience while we waited for a break in the rain. We shot some lovely video of Maggie knocking down her first tree in the African habitat at ARK 2000. Enjoy!

Pat's Annual Update from PAWS - 1/20/08

Welcome back, and thanks for joining us for Pat's annual update on the animals at PAWS. Stay tuned... next week we will bring you video of Maggie and the elephants at ARK 2000!

PAWScast Podcast From Pat Derby 1/12/08

Pat Derby's first video update from the PAWS sanctuary in Galt, describing the impact of the recent storms in Northern California.

Welcome to Pat Derby's PAWScast!

Welcome to Pat Derby's PAWScast. Sign up for Pat Derby's regular PAWScasts: your chance to get the very latest updates on the animals and news from the Performing Animal Welfare Society's captive wildlife sanctuaries in Northern California. Through our webcams, blog updates and PAWScast video podcasts, your involvement with the animals, sanctuaries and the issues of captive wildlife has never been more accessible. We're delighted to bring you elephant updates: Maggie's transition from h...