Pubdate: Fri, 26 Mar 2004
Source: Charlotte Sun Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2004 Sun Coast Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sun-herald.com/newsch.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1708

EX-WORKERS SAY DEA INVESTIGATING SANCTUARY

All 24 employees and volunteers who signed a letter making accusations
of mistreatment of animals and mismanagement have resigned or been
fired.

At least two former Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary workers claim the
Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the world-renowned
haven for sick and injured birds.

The two are among the 24 former staff members or volunteers who signed
a letter of concern alleging at least 25 instances of mismanagement
and mistreatment of animals at the sanctuary. The 24 were fired or
resigned after submitting the letter, and subsequently filed a
whistle-blowers lawsuit.

Former staff member Karen Bigner said she believes DEA agents are
interested in the sanctuary hospital because the sanctuary uses
controlled substances for animal surgeries.

"They've been asking questions about the drugs that were ordered and a
lot of them are not drugs that are used on animals," Bigner said.

According to the letter of concern, the person in charge of ordering
controlled substances, "has a past history of drug abuse using these
same controlled substances."

Another former sanctuary worker, Alison Guess, said she also has heard
that the DEA was poking around.

"Big drug issue in the hospital," she said.

Sanctuary president and executive director Mona Schonbrunn could not
be reached for comment.

The DEA investigation could not be confirmed.

All gone

In addition to the allegations of mismanagement and mistreatment of
animals, Schonbrunn has another problem, this one involving the clock.

"She has to respond to the whistle-blower lawsuit by Thursday," Bigner
said.

The 24 staff workers and volunteers were fired or resigned after
submitting the letter of concern outlining the allegations.

On March 5, they filed a whistle-blowers lawsuit claiming they were
dismissed after calling attention to the alleged mistreatment of animals.

Bigner said the "mortality" rate of those who signed the Jan. 27
letter was 100 percent.

"Nineteen resigned and five were fired," Bigner said, "and an
additional 10 staff members and volunteers have resigned since the
firings took place."

She said the firings occurred Feb. 11.

Code concerns

Guess named two sanctuary staff members that are, in her words,
"neglecting, starving to death and murdering these animals."

One of the two staff members Guess named, "has threatened to kill and
do bodily harm to other employees," according to accusations in the
letter.

"Mona refused to listen to our protest and fire these people," Guess
said.

Bigner also said the building department inspector found that the
infirmary was not up to code.

"There is an ongoing investigation," she said.

Bigner said despite all of its present problems, the sanctuary "could
be absolutely the best, but with current management running the
hospital it's impossible."

The Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary was started by the late Dale Shields,
the "Pelican Man," who began rescuing the endangered brown pelican in
1981.

The sanctuary is an open-air home and rehabilitation center to 55
different species of Florida birds.
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