SOUTHERN TAILS
The official newsletter of Furry Weekend Atlanta
September 2005

In this issue...
- Hurricane Katrina
- Conbook Submissions
- News for Dealers
- Artists' Alley
- Art Show
- Volunteers Needed
- Want More?

Heya furs! Feral! 2005 was by far the most successful and exciting yet, breaking our registration records and fulfilling everything we had hoped for, continuing its status as one of the funnest and most unique furry events in the world!

FANG, the Little Black Book of Furry Fiction, edited by Alex "Osfer" Vance, has published its first issue, available here at an RRP of $19.99.

From Doodles, the upcoming furry comics list for November 2005.

Furtopia is proud to sponsor our second "Furtopia Arts for Kids" community project on 9-16-05! See: http://www.artsforkids.furtopia.org
See also: this forum post.

Basicly here is how it works. Furtopia reaches out to talanted and caring artists. For those who can make it we gather artists and fursuiters here in Ohio. We then travel to children's hospitals where artists do will drawings for sick kids and fur suiters can perform for them! For those of you who cannot attend you can donate (children friendly) art. "new unopened toys", or paypal a donation to admin2@furtopia.org to help us cover the expenses (we DO need finanicial help) of making this great gift happen!

The anthology Flight #2, from Image Comics, is bigger than #1 in many ways. #1 had 22 stories in 208 pages for $19.95; #2 has 33 in 432 pages for $24.95. Many pages are blank where a story ended on a left-hand page, but it's still an even better bargain. I recommend it as highly as anything I've seen this year.

Despite the title, the majority of stories in #2 are not significantly flight-related, but big deal; the quality is even higher. And the proportion of furry stories strikes me as about the same. Only one story is continued from #1, not one of the dozen or so I wish had been continued. Some specifics:...

Mustelidae and lovers of mustelidae rejoice! Instead of severely cutting back the Fish & Wildlife Service's Black-Footed Ferret breeding program, enough public comment was generated that the program has been fully funded for this fiscal year, including a move to Fort Collins, CO. from Casper WY.

Check out http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/08/27/news/wyoming/243ec0663ee6f2628725706a000144dd.txt
It's the second story from the top.

The footfalls of paws cause roads to tremble; here, armies of proud
animals assemble. Ready to lock horns, knights raise their swords; by
fang and by claw, they fight for their lords. All manner of creatures
shall battle, they say; yet only the lionhearted shall capture the day.
Hear the echoes of howls and drumming: Further Confusion shall soon be
coming!

1. Picnic & Campout thanks
2. Travel Assistance
3. Pre-Registration for FC
4. Extreme Fursuit Make-over, Season 2: Transformation!
5. Furry Marketplace
6. Furry Night Live! Returns
7. Staff Needed
8. FC Film Festival
9. Conbook Submissions Needed
10. Membership Badge Art Needed
11. Hotel FAQ for Booking Rooms
12. Further Confusion Masquerade
13. FC Weapons Policy
14. Next Public Meeting

The Conifur Northwest 2005 con book is looking for G- and PG-rated art and stories relating to conventions, Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, Nootka, and this year's theme, Halloween. Read more for details!

A rare Chinese tiger brought to South Africa to learn how to hunt has died, dealing a fresh blow to efforts to save the species from extinction.

Born in a Chinese zoo, "Hope" was sent to South Africa as a cub with his mate "Cathay" in 2003 for a pioneering experiment seen by some as the last chance to preserve the species — a "rewilding program" to encourage the animals to hunt on their own.

"Hope had an infection and he stopped eating meat. He died on Saturday evening," Li Quan, the founder of the "Save China's Tigers" foundation, told Reuters on Monday.

[Read ABC News Wire article]

A Siberian tiger attacked and killed a teenage girl who was posing for photos at a family-run animal sanctuary Thursday in southeast Kansas, authorities said.

The Labette County Sheriff's office identified the victim as Haley R. Hilderbrand, 17, of Altamont. A statement from the office said Hilderbrand was at the Lost Creek Animal Sanctuary posing for photos with the 7-year-old tiger, which was being restrained by its handler, when the animal turned and attacked her.

Officers and handlers killed the animal. Emergency personnel were not able to revive Hilderbrand.

Read CNN article

Oklacon Registration is now open!
Come register for one of the best new cons around.

For more information visit http://www.oklacon.com/

See you there!

T-Shirt Contest
Calling all artists! Oklacon is asking for art and design submission for its 2005 t-shirt contest. The theme for this years con is

Inner Animal

Keep in mind that the artwork you submit for the t-shirt must somehow relate to our theme. Good luck!

Safari's of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma is an interactive animal safari in the Central United States dedicated to the rescue of exotic animals that were original acquired as pets that later could not be kept. Open to the public Saturdays and Sundays 12:00-6pm. General admission is $6 per person, $5 for kids 3-12 (under the age of 3 is Free), and $4 for Seniors.

In addition to the safari tours, there is a "bed & bagel" on the grounds that features an 1800s log cabin, queen bed, fireplace, antiques, kitchenette, clawfoot bathtub, animal décor, proch swing and continental breakfast. Price includes admission to the park, guided tour, and a nightly serenade by the wolves of Safaris just outside your window! $75 / night.

Click here for a .pdf flyer with color photos of the cabin.

Some Prominent Ecologists Floating Plan to Send Endangered African Animals to the Great Plains

Lions stalking deer in the stubble of a Nebraska corn field. Elephants trumpeting across Colorado's high plains. Cheetah slouching through the West Texas scrub. Prominent ecologists are floating an audacious plan that sounds like a "Jumanji" sequel transplant African wildlife to the Great Plains of North America.

Their radical proposal is being greeted with gasps and groans from other scientists and conservationists who recall previous efforts to relocate foreign species halfway around the world, often with disastrous results.

The authors contend it could help save Africa's poster species from extinction, where protection is spotty and habitat is vanishing.

[Read the rest of the Article]