Anastasia, Natalia, and Gustavo

Gustavo at Black Beauty Ranch

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Gustavo has lost weight and his aggressive attitude, greeting his caregivers with happy chuffs.

Natalia at Black Beauty Ranch

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Natalia scratches her log at Black Beauty Ranch.

Anastasia’s Art

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0000

One of Anastasia’s paintings

Painting

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Anastasia is the more easygoing sister as Natalia pretty much calls the shots on who eats first or plays with new toys. But Anastasia has her Art.

This photo shows Anastasia after her favorite painting enrichment activity at the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch. Note: All paints are kindergarten safe.

Natalia Likes Her Ball

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:08:00 +0000

Natalia is the more assertive and adventurous of the two females. She eats first and is the first to explore their new home and play with new toys. Anastasia doesn’t mind as she knows there is enough food.

Gustavo First Step

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

Gustavo bolts out of his transport cage into the quarantine area at the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch.

When Gus discovered his private den at Black Beauty, he stayed inside much of the time, enjoying the shade and the solitude. The animal care staff never pressured him and allowed him to acclimate to his new surroundings at his own pace. Slowly but surely he began to emerge from his den, scratch on his log, and even play with his giant enrichment ball—which has become a huge favorite.

Natalia First Step

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:06:00 +0000

Natalia taking her first step from her transport cage into the quarantine area at the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch. She was unsure about stepping on grass as it seemed to be a new experience.

Cutting the Cage

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:05:00 +0000

Gustavo is about 13 years old and was obese at the time of his rescue, weighing about 600 pounds rather than the normal 450–500 because he had no room to exercise and was fed a poor diet. He was in a very small enclosure that he had probably entered as a cub and never allowed out into a larger space—the walls of the cage had to be cut because the door was too small to allow him through it.

Gustavo

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Gustavo was very agitated and had a reputation for being extremely aggressive. This photo shows his unsheltered cage in Mississippi. And his attitude.

Natalia and Anastasia

Neil Harvey — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Natalia (foreground) and littermate Anastasia, both 10 years old, were kept in a concrete enclosure.