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  • From: Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>
  • To: monkeywire AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [monkeywire] Poker-playing monkey part of lawsuit
  • Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 11:54:08 -0500

Saturday, January 10, 2004
Poker-playing monkey part of lawsuit
http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonNews/es.es-01-10-0003.html
By KEVIN MARTIN, SUN MEDIA

CALGARY -- Alberta multimillionaire Phil Sprung Sr. is suing fish and wildlife officials for unlawfully seizing his poker-playing monkey and three other unusual pets.

Sprung has filed a lawsuit against the province after the animals - two monkeys, a moose and a raccoon - were taken from his ranch more than two years ago and he was charged.
Last October, a judge ruled investigators used an illegally obtained warrant and the Crown dropped four charges of unlawfully possessing wildlife. Sprung's court action says he was entitled to possess the two macaque monkeys (a male and a female) and the other two animals.

His lawyer on the Wildlife Act charges, Paul Brunnen, said yesterday the pets were popular with the entire Sprung family.

And Tarzan, the male macaque, even played cards with Sprung and others on the ranch along the Sheep River west of Okotoks, the lawyer said.

"I am told - and have seen pictures - that he would play poker," Brunnen said. "I don't know if he's any good at the game."

The moose, erroneously dubbed Murray by the family, was free to roam but always returned to the homestead and was kept penned at night for safety reasons, Brunnen said.
The animal has since been turned over to the Calgary Zoo, where it was discovered Murray is a girl and is now known as Anne Murray.

"I think Murray has actually had a baby," Brunnen said.

"The grandkids would come and they'd feed the animals. Murray the moose was a particular favourite."

The monkeys have been sent to Ontario, while Rascal the raccoon was moved to an Olds game farm, but after being permanently caged died within weeks, the lawyer said.
Civil lawyer Virginia May, who filed Sprung's lawsuit, said her client would like to get his remaining pets back. She said Sprung has reluctantly taken legal action against fish and wildlife, seeking damages nearing $600,000 for wrongful detention, malicious prosecution and other wrongful acts.

A statement of defence disputing the unproven facts in the lawsuit has not yet been filed by government lawyers.




  • [monkeywire] Poker-playing monkey part of lawsuit, Carrie McLaren, 01/10/2004

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