Recently obtained documents show that a veterinarian said the move was an emergency, but subsequent examination found nothing wrong with the pachyderm. This fuels speculation that the Rockbridge County attraction moved the animal to avoid an impending state raid.
Valley Zone
Highland, Bath Alleghany, Rockbridge, Covington
Posted inCulture
Virginia sought search warrants in Florida in the Natural Bridge Zoo case involving Asha the elephant; an unidentified prosecutor said no
A Florida document says a prosecutor there found the Virginia request “insufficient” but does not elaborate. No one is saying, either, although it’s unusual for one state not to recognize another state’s warrants.
Posted inEconomy
Columbia Gas plans more work in Covington
The utility company asks drivers to be cautious traveling through work zones as it upgrades natural gas infrastructure in the area.
Posted inOpinion
Buena Vista’s Labor Day politicking produces a preview of the Cline-Macy debate we may not see
Beth Macy uses the traditional campaign kick-off event to excoriate Ben Cline’s support for President Trump; Cline says Republicans are looking out for working families.
Posted inHealthcare
Veterans with vision loss find new ‘eyes’ through AI glasses
The Cadet Foundation, working with Meta and the Blinded Veterans Association, has about 100 pairs of Meta Ray-Bans to distribute to VMI graduates and other veterans who qualify.
Posted inCulture
British news site publishes account of plot to move the baby giraffes from Natural Bridge Zoo
The Independent published what it said is a sealed affidavit from a special agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The giraffes have since been recovered.
Posted inCulture
Asha, the former Natural Bridge Zoo elephant, is now at a sanctuary; animal rights groups cheer
No information was released on what prompted the move from a Florida zoo to a well-known elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.
Posted inCulture
The first of three trials related to Natural Bridge Zoo will begin in February
The case has spawned three separate trials; the other two are set for March.
Posted inCulture
Natural Bridge Zoo case will lead to three separate trials, judge rules
The judge also said he’d issue a gag order against most parties involved in the case, including the attorney general’s office.
Posted inCulture
2 baby giraffes missing from Natural Bridge Zoo have been recovered safely, AG’s office says
Jay Jones released no information on where or how the giraffes were found, citing an “ongoing criminal investigation” that’s been going on for more than a year.
