Please help! Very strange Ankole cattle question

[Ariel Wanna-be]

My husband has always liked the Ankole cattle at AKL and Kilimanjaro Safaris, so about eight years ago he decided to finally get some (!!!). We have two beautiful steers named Tamani and Safari (pic below). They are completely spoiled and are absolutely inseparable. Where one goes, the other goes, and apparently this type of cattle is even more herd-oriented than other varieties - they do not like to be alone.

Last week, Tamani developed an infection in one of his horns and required surgery. We knew there were risks involved in the anesthesia, but it was unavoidable. Unfortunately, he was partially paralyzed and will need to be euthanized. We are devastated but that is a conversation for another time.

Safari has been completely bereft since Tamani has been at the animal hospital, and we are very concerned about he will adjust to life without Tamani. We don't want him to be alone, but getting more Ankole isn't an option for a variety of reasons. We could sell him, but we don't want to because we want to make sure that he goes to someone who will take proper care of him, and effectively vetting potential owners is something I'm not sure how to do.

Is there anyone who knows how Disney acquires its animals? Can/do they accept donated animals? I know they take very good care of them, and that they would treat him like he is used to being treated. He's very healthy and in his prime, and we have all the records for his registration/vaccinations/etc.

I've tried googling this but have been unsuccessful, so I wanted to check to see if there was anyone here with "insider" knowledge.

Thank you in advance.

ETA - I know this probably doesn't belong on the TPAS board, but wasn't sure where to post it otherwise.

 

[IndyToThere]

The odds of you finding someone knowledgeable here on the disboards forums is quite low. You would have much better luck finding good answers at somewhere like reddit and seeing if there is a subreddit dedicated to this breed of cattle.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would reach out to animal rescue in your area and see if they can put you in contact with an organization to help find a new home for your unique animal. If they can’t help start to spread the net to large nearby zoos, larger animal rescues, etc.

 

[japanese maple]

My husband has always liked the Ankole cattle at AKL and Kilimanjaro Safaris, so about eight years ago he decided to finally get some (!!!). We have two beautiful steers named Tamani and Safari (pic below). They are completely spoiled and are absolutely inseparable. Where one goes, the other goes, and apparently this type of cattle is even more herd-oriented than other varieties - they do not like to be alone.

Last week, Tamani developed an infection in one of his horns and required surgery. We knew there were risks involved in the anesthesia, but it was unavoidable. Unfortunately, he was partially paralyzed and will need to be euthanized. We are devastated but that is a conversation for another time.

Safari has been completely bereft since Tamani has been at the animal hospital, and we are very concerned about he will adjust to life without Tamani. We don't want him to be alone, but getting more Ankole isn't an option for a variety of reasons. We could sell him, but we don't want to because we want to make sure that he goes to someone who will take proper care of him, and effectively vetting potential owners is something I'm not sure how to do.

Is there anyone who knows how Disney acquires its animals? Can/do they accept donated animals? I know they take very good care of them, and that they would treat him like he is used to being treated. He's very healthy and in his prime, and we have all the records for his registration/vaccinations/etc.

I've tried googling this but have been unsuccessful, so I wanted to check to see if there was anyone here with "insider" knowledge.

Thank you in advance.

ETA - I know this probably doesn't belong on the TPAS board, but wasn't sure where to post it otherwise.

View attachment 899444

Gosh, good luck to you. I hope you can find a good home for Safari and I'm sorry for the loss of Tamani. This must be so hard to have to give up Safari too.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

The odds of you finding someone knowledgeable here on the disboards forums is quite low. You would have much better luck finding good answers at somewhere like reddit and seeing if there is a subreddit dedicated to this breed of cattle.

Yes, but my question is less about where can he go and more about if anyone here knows if *Disney* specifically would/can/will take him.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Gosh, good luck to you. I hope you can find a good home for Safari and I'm sorry for the loss of Tamani. This must be so hard to have to give up Safari too.

Thank you. This is way more difficult that I thought it would be. My husband and I have both grown up around cattle but I never imagined getting attached to any.

 

[Suz333]

Disney probably has a very specific animal husbandry plan, and would be unlikely to talk to you about your situation.

Please accept the advice others have offered to use all available resources to rehome your ailing pet.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, but my question is less about where can he go and more about if anyone here knows if *Disney* specifically would/can/will take him.

Start by emailing guest relations at Disney World. I would also run a dual track hunting down others as it seems an extremely long shot Disney would home it (Ankole are not unique in the zoo world), this way if Disney doesn’t work you didn’t waste any time.

 

[scrappinginontario]

While trying to reach Disney, have you been in contact with who you purchased your animals from? They might be able to assist you with finding a new home as I’m guessing Disney may not be able to help you..

 

[IndyToThere]

Yes, but my question is less about where can he go and more about if anyone here knows if *Disney* specifically would/can/will take him.

My apologies. I missed that line where you asked if Disney might take them. I thought you were asking for advice on how to take care of the cattle.

 

[Chili327]

Along with getting in touch with local animal rescues, or wherever you got them from, try this:
https://www.animalenrichment.org/contact-us

 

[DodgerGirl]

Hello Ariel-Wanna-Be,
You might want to call the zoos in your area and see if they can take your Ankole steer but most likely the zoo will most likely say no. Because I know that zoos take elephants from circuses but all other animals that zoos get are donated to the zoo. A second option would be to go to a farm store or feed supply and ask the manager if he/he knows of any people that deal with these animals or you can look in farm animal magazines at their For Sale section because in addition to farming supplies they also have ads advertising people who buy and are selling farm animals like cows and goats and you might find a good dealer who might want to take your Ankole steer in your area. I have never ever seen an Ankole steer before. Are they very rare and pretty?
Hope this advice helps and good luck
Dodger

 

[DodgerGirl]

What kind of name is Tamani? It sounds like a beautiful name. Another thing you could try is contacting rodeo celebrities because many rodeo celebrities do get interested in rodeo animals such as quarter horses and steers after they retire but if you cannot find anyone else that is interested in your Ankhole steer my advice would be to wait a few years and try to get another Ankole steer and see if your Ankole steer will try being friends with it and if he does get friendly toward it your Ankole steer will have a new best friend
Let me know what happens Ariel-Wanna Be and good luck
Dodger

 

[DodgerGirl]

Hello Ariel-Wanna-Be,
Have you heard anything about what you are gonna do with your Ankole steer yet? Did you happen to call any of the zoos in your area to see if they will take your Ankole steer yet
I'm curious to know
Dodger