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TX snake farm fire
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by tigers9 on November 15, 2008
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http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=224540
Fire at Snake Farm kills 2 baboons
11/15/2008 5:18 PM
By: Russell Wilde
While the snakes were safe inside, police officers and game wardens armed with tranquilizers were on the lookout for missing primates.
Wild animals were just one of the challenges firefighters faced when they arrived at the historic roadside zoo - the Snake Farm - that caught fire late Friday night.
"We were fortunate that it was in the habitat out back and not the main structure where the poisonous snakes are," Patrick O'Connell of New Braunfels Fire Department said.
While the snakes were safe inside, police officers and game wardens armed with tranquilizers were on the lookout for some of the park's unaccounted for primates. "We don't let our people in until we make sure we're not going to hurt them [the animals] and more importantly they're not going to hurt us," O'Connell said.
Once the flames were extinguished workers began checking on all of the different birds, monkeys, and alligators that call the zoo home.
Exotic Animal World spokesperson, Marissa Atamas said the baboons were found, not far from where the fire started. "Our beloved baboons, Mindy and Mufasa expired. Mindy expired in the fire and then Mufasa later on," she said.
Investigators said a lamp used to keep the animals warm during the winter was the cause of the fire and the wind quickly spread the flames.
The Exotic Animal World is a sanctuary for dozens of species. It has just been designated a nonprofit group and is in the process of transitioning into the Comal County River Zoo. New habitats were under construction but unfortunately they weren't completed in time.
For the baboons, the Snake Farm was a retirement home of sorts. Mufasa was a circus performer, but as he matured he was no longer needed.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Snake Farm fire
Wild animals were just one of the challenges firefighters faced when they arrived at the scene.
"This was his haven and his home. Mindy was from a lab and she was donated as well and she was Mufasa's buddy and playmate," Atamas said.
Three tortoises also died in the fire. Atamas said it's amazing that more animals weren't hurt in the fire.
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RE: TX snake farm fire
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by tigers9 on November 28, 2008
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http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=225533
www.news8austin.com
Snake Farm reopens after fire
Updated: 11/28/2008 5:40:29 PM
By: Russell Wilde
The rebuilding process has begun post-fire at the Snake Farm.
The day after Thanksgiving gave Snake Farm Manager Jarrod Forthman something to be thankful for.
After two weeks of recovery from a fire, the park's outdoor zoo reopened for visitors.
"We've boarded up all the areas that look really bad and were
burned down, so we're a little more presentable to people," Forthman said. "We're nowhere near where we need to be."
While you can still see signs of the fire, new construction is also
visible as the 40-year-old landmark begins rebuilding.
"We're trying to make it safe to work around just so that we can
attempt to carry on the daily routine of taking care of the animals," Forthman said.
While the exotic animal park is famous for its slithering exhibits, the Snake Farm is home to hundreds of different types of animals -- everything from alligators to zebras.
Many of the animals were once unwanted pets, circus performers or research animals.
"We want them to be able to retire and live happily the way
they should be able to," Forthman said.
The park's two baboon retired to the park almost a decade ago, and both died in the fire.
Park workers said that loss was the most damaging part of the blaze.
Children enjoy the Snake Farm the day after Thanksgiving.
"We'd been caring for them for years," Forthman said. "That's the second worse thing to losing family. It's horrible," Forthman said.
The park recently received nonprofit status and work had begun to expand some of the habitats, but the fire brought most of that construction to a halt.
Now as visitors return, the park is hopeful that the rebuilding and
expansion can resume.
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