Regional News

Twins love of animals leads to active role in their welfare

BY CLIFF SMELLEY Regional News/Sports Editor For some people, a love for animals is simply shown through their care of a pet, but for twins Morgan and Zach Cooney, that love means taking active roles in helping to prevent needless abuse and slaughter of animals. Morgan and Zach, the sons of Mike and Catrell Cooney of Cape Canaveral and the grandsons of Harry and Marianna Cooney of Starke and Grady and Dimple Overstreet of Starke, recently participated in counter-poaching training for five months South Africa. The two worked all summer last year to save $5,000 each to cover the cost of equipment and travel expenses. Their training focused on rhino poaching. We love all animals, but at this point, rhinos need the most help, Zach said. There was a spike in 2009 in poaching incidents, which have grown exponentially since. Zach said it was predicted that more than 700 rhinos would be killed last year because of their horns, which people believe have Morgan (left) and Zach Cooney take part in building-entry training in the event poachers are indoors. The brothers, who have a deep love and concern for animals, took part in training to help combat rhino poaching in Africa.

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medicinal properties. Those beliefs are hard for Zach to stomach. Although it is used in Asian medicine as a hangover cure or fever reducer, it does not, in fact, have any medicinal value, he said. The animals die a horrible death in vain. Morgan said another troubling aspect is that poachers are resorting to using tranquilizers

instead of rifles. Firstly, this means that trained vets are involved, Morgan said. The M99 drug is a controlled substance and must be administered by someone with strict training. Secondly, the rhino dies a much slower and painful death than by simply being shot. While drugged, the animals face is literally hacked off to get every last piece of

valuable horn. Few animals can survive the trauma once the tranquilizers effects wear off, Morgan said. The use of tranquilizers instead of rifles, he said, is a way of avoiding detection by counterpoaching teams. If one looks at photos of Morgan and Zach going through See COONEYS, 5B

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5B the most was because we had so many great experiences with these animals, Morgan said. Wildlife is the reason why we are here, and it was great to constantly be surrounded by it. Morgan and Zach have had many animal encounters, such as working at Gatorland and the Central Florida Zoo. Their move into active roles regarding animal welfare was a natural progression, but an aroundthe-world trip taken with their family in 2008-09 helped in their decision to go through counterpoaching trainng. The family visited and stayed at Africas SanWild sanctuary during that trip. Although we would have wanted to do something like this even without the trip we took with our parents, I believe the knowledge and experiences we gained were an essential part of our desire to travel to help wildlife in peril, Morgan said. Coming to South Africa the first time put it on our map of special places that we needed to revisit. Their counter-poaching training may have focused on rhinos, but Morgan and Zach cant see themselves limited to helping one species. There are so many animals that need help, Zach said. Morgan and I also have a strong passion for marine life, as well, and would like to do something similar to help whales and dolphins that are being illegally hunted.

Vet Fest returns April 12-14 with music, vendors and family fun
BY CLIFF SMELLEY Regional News/Sports Editor Billed as Bradford Countys premier, free concert event, Vet Fest 13 welcomes more than 15 musical acts to Thunder Music Park (9057 U.S. 301 South in Hampton) Friday-Sunday, April 12-14. Event chairman Jim Mitzel said that unlike past years events, this years Vet Fest has been revamped to provide fun for all ages. What were trying to concentrate on is making it family oriented, Mitzel said, adding, Its not a biker event. With that in mind, there is a Kids Korral this year April 13-14. The area, which has a one-time $1 fee, will include a bounce house, magician and face painter, while the Florida National Guard will provide a climbing wall on April 13. The area will be fenced and under constant supervision so that parents can enjoy the rest of the event without worrying about their children. Bingo games for all ages will be available, offering the chance to win cash and merchandise prizes. Vet Fest begins with a kickoff party at 5 p.m. on April 12. The Tropical Whiskey Band will play from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Zach Cooney looks for animal tracks. As part of their training, he and brother Morgan learned about tracking, counter-tracking, dangerous wildlife behavior and survival in the wild.

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their counter-poaching training, it would almost appear as if they are in the miltary, brandishing guns and wearing camouflage. This job contains aspects of See FEST, 7B military, police and game ranger fields of work, Zach said. We are enforcing laws similar to police, but are not in a city. A majority of work takes place in the bush. Counter-poaching teams are also armed with pepper spray, which is used to detain poachers, Zach said. That led to a part of training he was not looking forward to. To learn how it affects people, we will unfortunately be subjected to being pepper sprayed in the face, Zach said prior to undergoing that bit of training. Training also included tracking, counter-tracking, dangerous wildlife behavior and survival in the wildwhat Morgan described as essential bush skills. Those involved in counterpoaching efforts are working in an environment where being alert is key. As can be expected, there is a lot to learn for this type of work, Morgan said. It is vital to know how to react in each situation we encounter, whether it is a charge from an angry bull elelphant or encountering poachers within the reserve. Though they love animals, Morgan and Zach also realize wild animals do pose a threat to humans. Better understanding the behavior of those animals through a trail-guides course was one of the brothers favorite parts of the training. This course was a month long and focused on the behavior of dangerous game animals such as lions, leopards,

hyenas, elephants, hippos and rhinos. We left camp early every morning and searched for tracks and signs that would lead us to these animals. Once we picked up the trail, we would follow and try to approach as close as possible. The purpose of this was to understand what to do in situationswhile on a counterpoaching patrolwhen you encounter these animals at very close range, either intentionally or unintentionally. All of these animals are capable of killing a person if you do not have the knowledge and confidence to make the right decision. Perhaps all you need to know to understand the Cooneys passion is to hear why that particular part of the training was one of their favorite moments. The reason we enjoyed this

Morgan Cooney is pictured with a German shepherd that is being trained to attack poachers.