Hello all

It this is not an appropriate post, please feel free to take it down. I just wanted to express my outrage at what was done to the innocent Marius the Giraffe through no fault of his own. He was called "surplus" because there were already enough of his genes in the captive giraffe gene pool. Did HE know that? No. Who did? The geneticists at the Copenhagen Zoo - BEFORE they bred his mother - and condemned Marius to his horrible fate. Fire these people and get some capable, humane geneticists in there - like the Animal Welfare Laws of the European Union require (I looked it up). And why wasn't baby Marius allowed to go to the sanctuary where his brother lived when they offered to take him and more than $600,000 was reaised for Marius's transport and care? Were the Copenhagen lions that hungry? Were the finances of the Copenhagen Zoo so mismanged that they had to kill some precious animals to feed others. The Director is DIRECTLY responsible for this.

The Animal Welfare Laws of the European Union require humane euthanization of animals and the spell out four possible humane methods that are allowed. A bolt through the brain is NOT allowed. So that makes it illegal. Why is this cruel criminal allowed to be in charge of animals that PEOPLE have put into captivity. (Do I hear the whisper, "It's the money.") This unconscionable Zoo Director did not use EU-approved euthanization methods which involve lethal injection because "that would have spoiled the meat". THE MEAT!! This beautiful, innocent, smiling baby animal was nothing but MEAT! To a zoo director whose only responsibility if to assure the welfare of animals under his care!

My mind cannot even yet focus on all the things this man-without-a -conscience did (I'm trying to avoid expressing the vitriol I really feel). After putting a bolt through baby Marius's brain, he had Marius "autopsied" in full view of zoo visitors, including children. Imagine how traumatized these children are going to be their entire lives! This was no autopsy - Marius was not sick, nor was he unusal in any way - that's why he wwas "unfit". This was a butchering - into food for the zoo's lions.

Here comes the part of this post that might make it inappropriate: this man is a monster. He should be fired immediately and the Copenhagen's Zoo's animal should immediately be examined by European Union vetranarians. Then they should be relocated to places that will love and care for them and not feed them to each other. Then the Copenhagen Zoo should be thoroughly cleaned and left as a monument to human cruelty.

I never saw you, Marius, or petted you, or fed you some banana leaves, or stroked your spotted neck - but I loved you and still do. You are now in the Perfect World, where you are happy, healthy, FIT, wanted, loved and surrounded by thousands of friends of all species who are full of love and zest. Two of them are my Gretta (the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived) and Rufus (my big black dog). They will meet you at the gate to the perfect World and take you to see the Good Shepherd who will wash away all your memories of this abominable earth and then you will bask in the love of all the people and animals there. Maybe your mom or your Grandmas are there.

I just had to say this in honor of an beautiful animal who was cut down in full view of the world. I love you, Marius, and I am SO sorry about what one of MY species did to you. We're not all that way!

XOXO

Grretta and Rufus's mom

Dear Gretta and Rufus's mum,

Thank you so very much for writing this. It was THE headline in London newspapers yesterday, condemning the zoo's decision. I was furious to read it. So were many people here in Britain. A sanctuary in Britain offered the zoo a permanent home for Marius, including his transport and all the cost paid to save him. I totally agree with what you wrote. This is unforgivable! PETA(People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) also has this story in the headline to condemn the zoo. I hope the Denish will sue this man to get justice for Marius. That's the least we can do for this sweet baby.

Marius, I am sorry.....on behalf of selfish and cruel human race.

Thank you for writing, My George. Even now I am crying over what was done to this beautiful animal. Thank you for caring.

Hi Gretta and Rufus Mom,

That is so horrible and sad. Something should be done about that, but I won't say what. I cried as I read it.

I love you Marius and I know my Mickey will love you too in the Perfect World.

XOXO

LoveMyMickey

Hi Marius

There are SO many people on earth who love you and are horrified by what happened to you. We are happy that you are now in the Perfect World and that nothing and no one can ever hurt you again. Your sweet smile has made us both smile and weep.

XOXO

Hi Friends

Let's do all we can to make sure this NEVER happens again. There is a European Union organization that almost controls what happens in zoos in Europe. It's called the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). My computer is having trouble opening its site but as soon as it can get to it, I will post their location and e-mail address. If everyone who cares writes them an e-mail of protest, maybe we can stop this from happening again. (Again - LS Admin, if this is an in appropriate post, I will understand if you take it down.)

Thank you my friends.

Gretta and Rufus's mom
(Jeanne Blake)

Good morning baby Marius,

You're warm. You're safe. You're full. You're among friends. You're smiling. You're stretching. An most importantly of all ........ YOU'RE LOVED.

Have a good day in the Perfect World, Baby M.

Grettta and Rufus's mom

Marius, the smiling baby giraffe,

It's not how MANY people remember you, it's WHO they are. And you have two undying fans: me and a wonderful woman who has had a loved many small white dogs. Her name is Love my Mickey. We will NEVER EVER forget with some very evil people of our species did to you and never stop working to make sure that never happens again. They may have killed your body but they COULD NEVER kill your soul, your spirit or your smile. I even sent a picture of your smiling face to my father who is old and sick and in a nursing home and he has it posted on the wall of his room.

Marius, the giraffe of our hearts. We will NEVER stop loving you. And one day we will meet you face to face in the Perfect World. Till then, have all the fun and joy that you can - you surely do deserve it.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Good morning Marius,

Thank you for brightening the day of my father. I cut out a picture of your smiling face and pasted it on my daily letter to him. He is very old and in a nursing home and is very sad. Your smiling face brightened his day and made him smile. So despite what some monster did you on earth, you spirit is very much alive and is spreading love throughout the world.

Have a fun day, Baby Marius.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Oh baby Marius,

I need your help today. Rufus and Gretta's auntie has suddenly become MUCH sicker (Rufus and Gretta or their c ousin Trevor can tell you all about it). Soom they will be calling together a prayer hum at the feet of the Good Shepherd up there in the Perfect World. Animals can't speak words like ours so they pray by humming. Everyone will go to the Good Shpeherd and hum to Him asking Him to please spare Trevor's mom's life. You are a powerful animal. We would welcome you and WANT to to join in the prayer hum. Watch for Rufus or Gretta to come and get you, OK? You are a wonderful and greatly loved baby.

One who loves you.

Your love for an animal that you never met touches and humbles me. I'm shedding tears for Marius, even as I write.

Pippin's mother

Somehow animals touch my soul - especially when cruelty and injustice is done to them - especially babies. My mind cannot get around this horrific act and I want him to know that he is loved.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Oh Baby Marius,

Thank you SOOOOOO much for joining in the prayer hum for Trevor's mom. The Good Shepherd hears our prayers and hums and gave the doctors an idea to help Trevor's mom. Tomorrow early in the morning, I am going to start driving in the car to Trevor's old house to live there.

Marius, you are loved by so many on this earth. The organization that said it was OK for that horrible man to slaughter you has stopped the same thing from happening to a little baby giraffe named after you, Marius II.

Never forget Marius, depsite the unspeakable things that were done to you, you're free now. It wil never, can never happen to you now tha tyou are in the Perfect World under the watchful care of the GOod Shepherd.

Good night, Baby Marius.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Baby Marius,

I need your help. Trevor's mom (my little sister) is very, very sick. and it is breaking my heart. Marius, you went through the worst experience possible on this human earth. Could you please think of me with love? it would help my heart a lot. Thank you Baby Marius.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Hi Baby Marius,

If you think that you have been forgotten, you haven't. Not by me. Not ever. I love you little guy. Someday we'll meet in heaven, OK?

Gretta and Rufus's mom