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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 1998)
2 Et g is tier a Thursday •Aprill USDA investigates Disney’s Animal Kingdom ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney, which pro duced “Bambi” and “The Lion King,” is being scrutinized over the deaths of several animals at its newest theme park. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is in vestigating Walt Disney World in the deadis of four cheetah cubs, two rhinos, two hippos and four other creatures at or en route to the entertainment giant’s new Animal Kingdom. “This isn’t a movie they’re making, this is real life,” said Joe Taksel, a spokesperson for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. Taksel’s group plans a protest at the April 22 opening of the park, which will feature 1,000 exotic animals. Disney is under pressure to put the final touches on the $800 million, 500-acre theme park. It will fly in 5,000 reporters, analysts and travel planners for the opening. USDA spokesman Jim Rogers said the in vestigation was started after the agency re ceived an anonymous tip, but he wouldn’t say what inspectors are looking for. The USDA, which has the power to fine an animal exhibitor or take away its license, had previously reviewed most of the deaths and found no violations of federal animal welfare regulations. Disney officials said Wednesday they’ve done nothing wrong. This isn’t a movie they’re making, this is real life. •» Joe Taksel Animal Rights Foundation of Florida “We know that our animals receive the best care, live in a superior habitat and are cared for by a highly qualified and dedicated team of animal care experts,” said Disney spokesman Bill Warren. Top conservation groups, including Wildlife Conservation Society, are behind the project. State regulators also cleared the park this week in the deaths. “Certainly 12 animals dying is a concern, but then again you need to look at the cir cumstances and none of these circumstances were related,” said Capt. Jerry Thompson, statewide inspections coordinator for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commis sion. “The way they died was not unusual for captive wildlife.” Last September, a female black rhinocer os died from a perforated intestine caused by a stick the animal had eaten. Disney said the animal ate the stick before coming to Animal Kingdom. The four cheetahs died in late December of kidney failure; ethylene, an ingredient used in antifreeze and solvents, was found in their systems. Disney said the cubs had only been at Animal Kingdom for a few days. A female hippopotamus died in February from multiple infections after being there for only a few weeks. The infections probably were caused earlier, Disney said. A 48-year-old hippopotamus died of car diac arrest in March while it was being transported from an Oklahoma City zoo to Animal Kingdom. Also last month, a white rhino died after being anesthetized during an examination. Here comes the bride hursday • Literal ■■m MIKE FUENTB Darrin Hill, a photographer for Studio One and Class of ’92 takes pi Sara Meyer, member of the Class of ’97, at the Clayton WilliamsAl Center. 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Tiffany Inbody, Editor in Chief Helen Clancy, Copy Chief Mandy Cater, Opinion Ed:: Brad Graeber, Visual Arts Editor Ryan Rogers, Photo Editc Robert Smith, City Editor Chris Huffines, Radio Prod Jeremy Furtick, Sports Editor Sarah Goldston, Radio Pro Jeff Webb, Sports Editor Dusty Moer, Web Editor James Francis, Aggielife Editor Aaron Meier, Night NewsE Staff Members "• Cm- Amanda Smith, Stacey Becks, Susan Atchison, Kelly Hackworth, Suzanne Riggs. Lyndsay Nantz, Jennifer Wilson & Katy Lineberger Science - Jill Reed. Sports - Assistant Editor: Jeff Schmidt; Michael Ferguson, Chris Ferrell, Travis Harsch. Robert Hollier, Al Lazarus. Colby Martin, Aaron Meier, Katie Mish, Philip Peter & Michael Taglienti. Aggieufe - Marium Mohluddin, Rhonda Reinhart, Chris Martin, Leah Templeton. Travis Hopper. April Towery, Travis Irby & Stephen Wells. Opinion - Len Calloway, Adam Collett, John Lemons, Donny Ferguson, Caleb McDaniel, Beverly Mlreles, Manisha Parekh, Stewart Patton, Mickey Saloma, Joe Schumacher, Michelle Voss, Frank Stanford & Jennifer Jones. hews: The Battalion news department <s managed by students at Department ol Journalism. News offices are in 013 Reed Me batrSumx.tamu.e<lu; Website: http://battaiion.tamu.edu Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship a Using, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569. Advei Monday through Friday Fax: 845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texa; $60 per school year, $30 tor the fall or spring semester and $17.50 The Battxuok (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily. Monday throug the summer session (except University holidays and exam penods) at Postmaster: Send address changes to The Battalion, 015 R Night News - Joyce Bauer. JaclyiM 5: & Shane Elkins. Photo - Assistant Editor: Brandon Be McKay. Greg McReynolds. Cory Willis Fuentes. James Francis & Jake Selin: Graphics - James Palmer. Chad Mata Faulkner & J.P. Beato. Cartoonists - Ed Goodwin, John Le« Hoffman, Gabriel Ruenes, Victor Vacs Nordfell and Quatro Oakley. Copv Editors - Les David Johnston, M Veronica Serrano. Radio - Andrew Baley, Jody Rae Sa Stuart & Karina Trevino. Web - Anita Tong & Jeremy Brown i Stebbins, Jew. tha Gldney. Pair I Flowers are i wearing shorts arrived. Everyt ami the lazy da are usually spei only fitting tha ■ To celebrate at Sweet Eugem lish professor a Binity for stude I “To be a poe -is a chance for audience react i Poetry readii try, and Taylor t ■ “I hope it wi it lively with ai I Taylor also ‘lliQse involved *Bork of their o ,JI Taylor teacl class and said 1 I “There shou students are pi i Stuta Iwrite all mythii idealistic and \ I Taylor said t ingup or beinj I Taylor adde msc variety show tickets on sale now! msc ( / arfefylshow X Q9S pitchshifter MSC Variety Show is held Friday, April 17, of Parent’s Weekend. For ticket information, call 845-1234 Town Free T-shirt w/ purchase Now available at World Cup Before the i in July, cor on /our co marooned Thursi 10:0 Rudcfc "THE" RECORD STORE IN B/Cf ('■In location) Studei IIP CoNoqo IVIogn e*6-OOljC
