Snickers Rescue is Imminent

After our March 24 ‘Lectronic Latitude story about the grim future for two pets abandoned by their American owners on Fanning Island after their boat wrecked on the atoll, we received a hopeful email from a dog and parrot lover in Nevada who wanted to save both animals.

TaoJones, as he prefers to be known, has spent countless hours working to get Gulliver the parrot and Snickers the dog off of Fanning and back in the U.S. With the invaluable help of Robby and Lorraine Coleman, American cruisers who are on Fanning aboard their Angelman ketch Southern Cross, not to mention the efforts of Rigo Neira of the Hawaiian Humane Society to cut through the red tape, it appears that Snickers will be the first to escape a terrible fate.

Through their tireless communications with the U.S. government, the state of Hawaii and Norwegian Cruise Lines, the necessary equipment — crates, food, flea powder, paperwork, etc. — are on their way to Fanning as you read this. The Colemans will deliver Snickers to the crew of the appropriately named Pride of Aloha where he’ll be treated as an honored guest of the captain while on the way to Hawaii. TaoJones will be there to greet Snickers and whisk him away to his new home where he’ll be loved and cared for. Miraculously, this will be the last time a NCL ship will stop at Fanning.

Gulliver’s fate, however, looks grim. Though he has a leg band, there is no number inscribed on it. TaoJones’ research leads him to believe that the bird may have been bred illegally. "If he were properly banded and registered when he was a hatchling, I think it might be possible to re-patriate him to the U.S.," he said. "The way the authorities here look at it, he’s possibly the product of illegal trade in endangered species, or he may be infected with avian influenza, or both. As I’m sure you know, bureaucrats aren’t in the habit of sticking their necks out, and making exceptions, but I will continue to work for Gulliver’s rescue."

While the local authorities want nothing more than to see Gulliver, who has many friends on the island, find his way home, the Kiribati government takes a dim view on illegally imported animals, especially birds, and are pressuring the Fanning officials to destroy him. "If they can be persuaded that many people are working in Gulliver’s behalf," surmised TaoJones, "perhaps they can grant him more time while we try to find a solution."

We’ll keep you updated on any developments but, in the meantime, if you know of any government officials who could help Gulliver, contact LaDonna.