Tony Karasulas arrived to the Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești through a dog. A white dog, whose snow-white fur faded in the wounds the demodicosis has chewed in the flesh. He found him somewhere near Bran, far from Dracula’s castle. „I picked one poor creature up from the side, freezing and all bones standing covered in mange in the snow. As an animal welfare worker I knew he was unlikely to last another day or two, and was certainly dying miserably. After a time I gained his confidence and encouraged him into my car. After much driving and asking about I found a vet in Bran (20 some km from Brasov )…”, says Tony Karasulas. So Tony and Sam became good friends. But Tony did not left Romania until he was assured that his friend will be treated medically and well cared for. He found out about the Millions of Friends Association and he left the dog in the care of the dog-shelter team.
After a few months, Tony returned to see his friend. Sam was cheerful and healthy, his fur was intact, as if he were never sick. He took a few days to visit the Sanctuary from
Zărnești, and even to volunteer for a few days. “Even as a young boy I would pick up injured animals. Now I am involved with a wildlife rescue and protection group in Australia”, explains Tony.
Together with his friends, he set up a rescue and animal care center in Australia, where he deals with kangaroos, walabee, koalas, reptiles and birds. „Every day is different, and every season too. In spring we are very busy. The birds seem to fall from the sky! On one day I might have to rescue a juvenile Magpie from a tree who has his foot stuck. The parents make nests from all kinds of material, including string and cotton thread they find, which often gets caught around the baby’s feet an then later catches on a branch. There can be the collection and caring for of a baby kangaroo, orphaned on the road,
perhaps another kangaroo has to be euthanized due to it’s injuries, a parrot will have to be rescued after being attacked by a cat, two or three turtles might need to be cared for after being hit on the roads (cars do the most damage of all to the native animals), another baby bird will be collected and replaced who has fallen from his nest, an echidna (spikey animal) might be in a back yard being harassed by pet dogs and needs careful collection and relocation, often a snake goes into a house looking for food and we have to rescue both the snake and the people!! Sometimes a koala is in a tree downtown and has to be relocated before he gets into trouble. And so on”, tells the Australian.
There was an animal missing from Tony’s list – the brown bear. He dedicated his time as a volunteer at the sanctuary, where he prepared food for the bears. It was not easy, because the 72 bears from Libearty need over one tone of food per day. After hours spent sorting food, Tony came to appreciate even more the work of the sanctuary staff. „I have been very impressed by the dedication and love of all the people giving their time and energy for the animals. What a marvellous effort! If only more people would take the trouble to care for our little friends. They are so innocent, and often helpless to survive in our human-made world. It is not only a labour of love but I feel also a sacred duty to care for those who cannot care or even speak for themselves!”.
Although his father was Romanian and Tony feels bounded to Romania, he could not linger too long. He returned to his daily chores, with the hope that he would return to his best friend: Sam. He said goodbye to the dog and made a small donation to bears in Zarnesti, as befits a good friend of animals.
