I just talked to Linda and she just got word that 3 of the rescues that were shipped today arrived dead and a 4th is at the vet barely hanging on. A total of 16 rescues were shipped today, all left happy and alive.

The reciever just contacted Linda.. when she opened the crate all the pouches were damp to the touch and in a certain pouch, Cage 1, the 2 females were dead and the male was wet and cold. He's at the vet now..

Has anyone ever had anything like this happen? If you can give any insight please contact me and I will send you Linda's cell phone number.

I am so sorry to hear that. I hope they get to the bottom of it, bad weather, left on the ramp, I don't know what could have happened but what a shame. I hope the rest are OK, please keep us updated.

Everybody else seems to be okay. The male was given an injection of something to perk him up, SubQ fluids, and he is on oxygen. They should know within 15-20 minutes if his condition is going to get better.

The females that were in the pouch with him were also wet, he was very cold and wet.

They believe that the crate got wet, as ALL of the pouches were damp and the fleece under them too. Wet and chilled..

Linda called the airline and asked about weather, she was told that there were delays in Houston due to rain.. and once she told them that there were dead animals, she was told there was no rain in Houston...

I just know we have a crying shipper, an upset receiver, and a devastated 10 year old who claimed cage 1 as hers.

OMG! I'm so sorry. I hope the others are found to be happy and healthy!
You would think that the airlines would be more careful with LIVE shipments! :-(

OMG, how sad!! sounds like someone messed up big time with the airlines and left them outside somewhere!! I feel so sorry for everyone involved - how devastating! Please keep us posted!

This kind of sounds like what happened to CGarnes last year on the way to Bourbon's... I'm not sure, but I think it is caused by the gliders steaming up the pouch. When fleece is wet/damp it doesn't breath well. The air gets trapped inside the pouch and no new air is getting in, so they suffocate Poor Linda, she tried so hard to help those rescues... And to have this happen, she must be heart broken.

OMG! Oh no... how horrible! I can't believe that this could happen!

This especially hits me close to home.. my babies are with that shipment! Tracy, Linda, Im so sorry for what youre going through right now...

Bulldogger, i thought cage one had two females and one male, so if 3 arrived dead, from which cage is that?

The little boy didn't make it.

Tracy called the airline and she was told that YES, there was rain, and that they sat on the turf (turft?? something like that) for over an hour...

There is nothing that can be done until tomorrow until a supervisor is in.

In loving memory of Cage 1 : http://sugarglider.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/284966/page/11#Post284966

And to the female who was lost, they were both sweet, sweet girls who had hard lives. I had them here for 2 weeks.. trying to help Linda with cage space, since there were 5 fighting intact males in with 2 females.

Linda just told me they lost the male

Thats so ridiculous! How could an airline be so incompitant?!

I hope Linda can get some answers on this..

Im supposed to be picking up CarrieT's gliders, as well as mine tomorrow from tracys... I wonder if shes still in kansas city where she picked them up?

When I had Addison shipped to me from Ohio, she was left sitting on the tarmac in HOUSTON during a severe storm that had all the planes grounded. There was my glider, two dogs and a cat. All 4 pet crates were soaked. When I got her out to the van, I had to get her out of that wet carrier and soaked pouch (Addison was in a pouch, inside a KritterKeeper, inside a cat travel crate). Addison got loose from me (she was really freaked out) and went up into my dash board.

Anyway, when I pitched a fit when I picked her up about her being wet, they tried to tell me that the animals were NOT left in the rain. Sorry but there is no way that much water could have gotten into that Kritter Keeper unless she WAS left in the rain.

Linda, this is NOT YOUR FAULT AT ALL.

Oh, how horrible. My eyes weep for those lost, and my heart sends love to those who are still here. That poor 10 year old, please let the little one know that we are thinking of her.

Which airline is it?

OMG! I'm so sorry! I can barely read this. Sorry, too upset right now.

Dancing had a problem with the Houston airport last year too, her glider was alive, but cold and very wet, not as in normal shiping, as sitting out in the rain for hours wet. I am sure she'll be here tomorrow and will see this. sounds like there are some real problems in Houston.

I am sorry for the loss of cage 1.

I'm so sorry Linda!

sending you all love and hugs.

I am so sorry!

I'm so sorry for the 10yr old!! please let her know we send her lots of hugs and good thoughts.

Now that I look at the pictures I rememeber them. They where the ones that stole my heart too. Almost had me trying for them. They just looked so sweet. Poor things.

Sending lots of Huggs your way. Sorry for the loss of these babies..... Do we know what Airline Co. they used?

Anita

not sure what one they used but I had a small glitch myself yesterday with Continental but they were delayed 2 hours in Portland before ever getting to Huston. Weather related but they got there safe. I know this easily could have been my babies.

Linda you may have lost one set but you have done great for the ones who made it.

Continental airlines were used.

I have spoken to Linda and we are working on a safer solution to use with shipping gliders. Something that will prevent them from getting wet even if they are left out in the rain (like Continental seems to do). I will definately post when we have the details worked out.

This is a horrible thing to have happened. The blame can only lie with those in Houston who failed to take proper care of these animals.

Just as Laura has made Jorn's death count for some good (the Jorn Act), we are going to do the same for these three babies. We are going to find solutions to this issue to try to prevent this from ever happening again.

Tracy, please tell Danielle how sorry I am. I know how much she was looking forward to these babies.

There are actually 4 gliders dead, 3 females were found dead when they arrived, and the 4th, the cage 1 male, died at the emergency vet.
 
All of cage 1 has passed.. and a female from cage 13..

So.. 16 gliders were shipped, and 12 made it alive.

Maybe we should look into different fabrics for shipping pouches, like wool (which stays warm and breathable, even when wet)... Also, maybe drilling holes in the bottom of shipping crates will allow for drainage...

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of cage 1 and the poor little male that didnt make it at the vets. I hope that their are things that can be done to prevent this sort of thing happening. I hope the airline will step up and take accountability for what happened. That is a tragedy that could have been prevented.

I am so sorry for the loss of these gliders, my heart goes out to tracies little girl,

there is actually nothing the airline can do since they are considered personal property., but as I told linda, he anger needs to be directed to the one person that left them on the tarmac, and the airlines for not following procedure, hopefully by causing enough stink, the procedures will be followed more closely, especially in increment weather. Dancing has some good ideas, we just hope they can be worked through, to protect the babies against the incompetent.

Hi All, I am now home with the 12 surviving gliders.

Everyone is out of their travel cage and into bigger cages for the night. They seem to be doing well. They are eating their BML (they had diced fruit and fresh water on the car ride here) and checking out their cages. I have the name of a person to call with Continental in the morning. I don't know how much good it will do, but both Linda and I are going to push this issue as hard as we can. This was a tragedy that should not have occured.

Danielle is upset over the loss of the group from cage 1 that she had named PopRocks, Twizzlers and Starburst but she is strong in knowing that we had everything we could done to save PopRocks and that he passed knowing that we cared.

I will post again tomorrow after I talk to Continental and let you know what they say.

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx

They do make a point that all weather conditions are monitored at all points.

Tracy,
I'm here in Missouri, if you need me just let me know! I am soo sorry for your loss
Oh Pm'ing you my cell number

I'm terrified of shipping a glider, and have refused what might be a good home because it was too far. I know sometimes it's necessary, but it still scares me. I'm so sorry for your loss.

This is a heart-breaking situation for all of us with gliders. I've only had good experiences with shipping and would suggest that we write - not rant and rave - at the airlines with suggestions as to how shipping procedures should be improved. Someone needs to be held responsible for the safety of any animals being shipped. I would not consider this personal property as you pay for their "ticket."

OMG...what a TRAGEDY! My heart goes out to you Linda, Tracy, and Danielle. I agree, something needs to be done to for the loss. I am so very sorry, I am devasted.

My heart broke reading this. When I moved back from CA I had my dog and a kitten. We had a changeover in planes. Animals are usually last ones in, first ones out. Well, everyone except us was getting off in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now we came from CA. I sat in the plane and watched my dog and cat out on the runway during a driving snowstorm for over an hour (delayed, so they didn't reload right away.) My pets were out there for an hour and a half. I was screaming at the stewardesses and was told 'there is nothing we can do, that is not our job!' I finally threatened to kick a window out if someone did not call someone and get my animals to a warm, dry place! It was horrible. My dog, I was not so worried about, but my kitten, she was born in CA, she was not prepared for cold and snow! She ended up catching pneumonia, but thankfully the vet was able to get to her in time. But I was so po'd! I flew Delta and vowed never again would I step on one of their planes.

I am so very sorry on those babies that did not make it. I hope something will be done to try to insure that does not ever happen again.

Could we all write letters to stress how important it is to follow procedure or something like that? Or contact a news orginization about it? If they think they are going to be exposed, they might be more likely to watch their p's and q's so to speak.

Let us know if we can do anything.

Godspeed sweet little angels.....

Awe, the sweet little female that passed was coming home to me. I'm sitting here crying for a little one I never met. Linda, I'm so sorry for this tragedy but please remember that none of this is your fault.

Carrie, I'm sorry we lost your little girl. Your survivor seems to be doing okay. She ate a bit last night and evplored the cage she is in. She just gave me one of those "please let me sleep" looks when I checked on her a few minutes ago. Erica is coming to pich her up today along with her family of 3.

That is so sad

Im on my way to pick up mine and CarrieT's gliders, Ill update later this afternoon.

Elee - See you soon

I honestly don't think I would be able to deal with this maturely. Right now, I want to write Continental and rip someone apart. How horrible. This is so awful. I am so sorry to everyone involved. My heart goes out to you.

I am so sad for those babies! That just breaks my heart I know those gliders have been through so much and to see it end like that just saddens me. I pray that the other gliders will be ok and that somehow something can be changed with shipping to be safer.

Unfortunately I threw the crate out, but I seem to remember my crate from Priscilla at Pet Gliders having a protective shield in case of wet weather. Does anyone else who has received from her remember this?

This was such a hard post to read. I read about neglectful suggie owners, pet stores, mill breeders... but these are people we pay to take care of our animals, keep them safe! I agree that I would have a hard time dealing with this maturely at this point, so kudos to you guys for handling this so well.

Those babies will be in my thoughts for a long long time for all they've been through, and Julz and Aiden are getting extra mealies and loves today because I'm so happy they are safe and sound with me...

I am very sorry to everyone involved. Linda/Tracie/Danielle you are all wonderful for doing everything you could for these gliders.
Hugs and lean on us to help you though this.

If there is anything we can do to help with making travel safer let us know.

Zoeberry they had a plastic sheet across the top of the carrier but the way these were shipped is different. They should have been fine if they were not left outside.

My heart and prayers go out to everyone who is involved with the care, shipping, and receiving of these little babies. This is uncalled for, and I feel that there should be something done to prevent this type of situation from happening again.
If those crates were labled correctly and clearly stated "LIVE ANIMALS" on the outside, and the airlines deglected to follow the proper and safe handeling of these gliders than they are liable for whatever damages.
As a suggestion, it might help to have BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS placed on the outside of all the carriers.
Again, I am so so sorry Linda, Tracy, Danielle, and CarrieT that this has happened. I pray that all the other little ones are alright.

I am so sorry for everyone who lost a little one due to the airline's negligence. I'm so devastated, those poor babies deserved so much more. for all you guys are going through, I just don't know what else to say. Except, if there is anything I can do to help ensure this never happens again, please let me know! Again, I am soooo sorry!

omg this is horrible..
what kind of carrier was it? I know that dog type ones have windows on the sides sometimes and a large one on the front. maybe find a way to cover them and make sure the inner container stays in one place besides just a towel.

All of the survivors still seem to be doing well this morning. I talked to me vet and she has offered to do a necropsy at no charge to try to help figure out what happened. I have decided that I am going to take her up on the offer, I spoke with a representative of Continentals Pet Safe Program this morning. She said that they only handle claims for dogs and cats. That I would have to file a claim with the Cargo Claims Department for sugar gliders. Tell me that makes since. I also noticed this morning, in the light of day and with a bit clearer head, that the plastic airbill pouch, and the paper airbill sticker that the airline puts on the carrier was placed over some of the ventalation holes. This could have also played a part in the loss. We will all grieve for the 4 babies lost, but will treasure the survivors even more knowing that they could have been lost as well.

I can't say what I'm thinking. A glider is a LIFE-no less valuable than any other. So because it's not a dog or cat it doesn't count!!?? Who do they think they are? That's got to be one of the most ignorant, insensitive remarks I've heard! CARGO?? And no, it doesn't make sense.

I'm glad the survivors are doing well.

I rarely venture into the Real Stories section because my heart just breaks everytime I read one of these. But I have read each and every response here, and have some things to share.

1) I would love to see a well-phrased petition here at GC where we could all sign up/post our support for better quality monitoring of LIVE "cargo" in loving memory of these four furry angels. Can this be done?

2) Whoever suggested the news, I think that is a fantastic idea. Had the airlines behaved differently in response to this...i.e., with sensitivitty and responsibility, I would not automaticaly jump on the news bandwagon. But from my limited perspective here, having only been able to follow this via posts, it sounds like the airline was grossly negligent and treated living beings as if they were duffle bags with clothes in them. It's unacceptable, and if the airline is not interested in corrective and apologetic measures for this without some "encouragement," perhaps getting the news stations and papers involved will help them step up to the plate.

3) I think that not just because of their "attitude" so to speak, but because of the real dangers this form of shipping seems to pose to animals, the public should be made aware that this "can" happen. Until today, I had not been aware of a single story regarding unsafe or improper conditions for PAID, SPECIAL animal transportation via airlines! People have a right to know this *could* happen to their animals.

I am sending love, prayers, and deepest sympathy on the loss of these beautiful, vibrant gliders who brought joy and smiles to many of us through their rescue story!!!

Love,
Jen

This was not clearly stated, but were all these gliders in one carrier? Sixteen gliders in a small space like that is dangerous. A Taconiq carrier can have dividers, but having that many gliders in one carrier or bag would be stress alone to kill gliders. With a Taconiq with dividers, I would never ship more than four adult gliders or if pairs, three adult pairs. If the pouches were single pouches, they would get better air circulation. If they were doubled and having mutiple gliders in one bag could cause suffocation. There is not enough oxygen in an enclosed bag to allow them to breath.
It did not rain yesterday in Houston. I have checked the weather forcast on weather.com. The wet was due to the stress of the glider in the heat or a result of suffocation. High humidity can build up when you have that many gliders in a small area. Even having four gliders in one double bag can do this. There is not enough oxygen particularly when he temps are above 90 degrees. Continental does carry their animals over in a vehicle and many are aircondition, but the animals would have to sit in an enclosed vehicle for three minutes or more without air condition. All of the gliders would have failed had this been the case. I know even when they are loading the vehicles they are still running, so they don't let them get hot. It is most likely the ones that died were all in the same bag and pouches. If the pouch was a double pouch with four gliders, the greater chances of death. I posted this for people who might send mutiple gliders to begin with. In the summer it is best to use single layered pouches and when shipping multiple gliders, make sure they have their own individual bags.

Now a note to the shipper and recipients: I am so very sorry for the loss of the gliders. I am sorry because of the broken heart of the little girl. I have gliders here that would love a forever home that are tame that are retired. I don't charge for them, nor do I advertise them if that helps her in any way. I have done things as a breeder where it cost the life of a glider. No breeder or person is perfect. We all learn what to do based on life experiences. At the time it is heartbreaking, but we get stronger as time goes on. Please remember - God is concerned with the sparrow as well as the glider. He created it and new the day of its beginning and end. It was His time to take His little creatures away. It wouldn't have mattered what kind of precautions were taken, it was their time to go and leave this earth.

How horrible, I am so sorry for anyone who has ever has to deal with this.

Zoeberry, I just tested the crate I have from a year ago and yes, it has a rainproof covering on top and the sides as well - how the air gets in I have yet to discover but six babies arrived safely a year ago. Do we have to add "FRAGILE" "DO NOT EXPOSE TO WATER/HEAT" and other big BOLD warnings? Live Animal should be sufficient but apparently is not when you're dealing with human error.

I am so sorry This is just so sad for everyone involved

Linda, I am so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for the loss of these gliders.

I cannot believe that the airline cannot be held accountable for this. If they were shipped through their special pets first program, they mush have some type of legalities involved. If you were to get a lawyer, I'm sure they can at least recoup shipping and vet charges. People who fall in a supermarket due to their own stupidity win law cases all the time. The airline must have responsibility.

I do have someone contacting a lawyer for me to see what can be done. Linda and I are also working together to put together a claim to send to the airlines. This has been my first experience with shipping animals, and it will be my last. I will help in any way I can with a petition for safer shipping by the airlines and with trying to find safer aways for us to send our little loved ones.

Pricilla uses Taconic crates... I'm not sure where she gets them from, but I got some on e-bay a while back

So sorry to hear this.. I hope all the other gliders make it out OK!

I'm just now reading this. I'm so sad. There was some friendly squabbling over Cage 1, because those were sweet babies that Linda said were tame and friendly from the get go.

This is horrible. I received a glider at O'Hare Airport in March. (picked it up and railroaded it for a friend) The glider was packed in a travel crate, inside that was a sturdy tupperware box with holes, inside that were layers and layers of fleece, packed around a large pouch with the baby inside. The glider's flight was delayed (I forget - 6 hours??) because of weather in Houston. Everything was damp when I opened the travel crate - I wrote it off to condensation, but now I just don't know.

I'm so sorry this happened to these 4 sweet gliders.

My God, this is TERRIBLE! I hope the lawyer is able to do something about this. That is UNACCEPTABLE. Gah, it makes me so mad...

Were the animals left outside during the delay by accident, or is that standard procedure? How could people just leave them out there??



Looking at their pictures... they were such pretty babies.

I hope you are having a necropsy done on the last glider. I don't think you will get anywhere with continental unless you do.
You can go here to see there was no rain yesterday Weather yesterday

It could be that they got rained on someplace other than Houston. Without Linda being able to post here we really can't say what happened. I do know that Linda has shipped more than just these babies and is experienced with the proccess.

This is utterly ridiculous. The fact that we pay these people to ensure the safe delivery of these animals should be well enough to keep them alive and well. That they were irresponsible enough to keep them in conditions that would leave so many in danger is unacceptable. Honestly, I don't think i've ever been so angry/sad about creatures I haven't even seen but if there are plans for contacting the news with this i'd be glad to sign any petition necessary to push it through. I am so, so sorry this had to happen.

How horrible! I'm sorry to all those who lost a glider. There has to be something that can be done to prevent this!! Let me know if I can be of any help with a petition or anything.

It is really an unfortunate situation. My family bred Cavalier Spaniels in the past, and I actually flew to England twice to get pups so they would not be shipped. I really hope that this tragedy will help improve airlines' methods so we can trust them with our pets.

If a petition or letter-writing campaign is started, please let me know. I would be happy to help make the airlines aware of how they can help protect our babies.

I have used Continental many times. I have not had issues except this last time when I was not told of the delay. I put my 3 in 2 separate keepers in 1 cat carrier. they had about half an apple per keeper for food/water. I had checked Huston weather before I shipped and knew there was a high of 87. This was my responsibility to know and check. If I had been on top of my game there would have been a cool pack JUST INCASE I should have used one and again I do feel for Linda this could have been my babies and I know the WHAT if's and Why's are flying. Linda I said it before hun. You lost a set but you have saved so many. Know I would back you 100% to keep doing your best for the gliders. With out you more would have been lost thru different means.

How Awful!! My heart goes out to all involved in this tragedy.

I really am sorry to hear about this. I am so sorry for all the people who were getting babies and they lost their babies in this situation. But also when shipping any gliders through the airlines, they can be insured. Yes it is extra but well worth it. because of this situation right here. Does anyone know if the person shipping these gliders had any insurance on these babies? Because If they did then the airlines no matter what is responsible for these babies up to the full amount insured on all of them. That's why we who ship gliders, insure our babies to help with any kind of accident that may come up or occur. But the gliders do have to be health checked through your vet and health certificates are manitory to have to get insurance on them.

Again, I am very sorry for CarrieT, Danielle, Linda & TracyLynn losses.

Sending love, hugs & prayers for healing power.

Anita

Oh how awful! How can live animals be considered personal property? If you kick your dog, is that not a crime? How is this any different? It's abuse, negligence, you name it.

cyndie

It is horrible and tragic to loose the 4, but if they'd stayed in the situation from which they were rescued, all 16 would have died. Linda is doing a wonderful thing. She is heartbroken about this loss. And probably doing plenty of second guessing and kicking herself, etc.

But I'm with you, cyndie - the lives Linda saves are greater than the lives that were lost.

For an update on some of these babies, click:

update

I am heartbroken from this great tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all invovled. It greatly saddens me because I have been shipped a pet through Continental's pet program. I am blessed that my baby arrived happy and healthy. I did worry about her safety at the time, but was assured that it was a good program. The breeder did, however, restrict her shipping to different areas based on time of year and extreme temperature/weather changes.

I believe that if Continental is not going to take some kind of action against the department/employees at fault, they should take responsibility. It is their program and their assurances that customers are relying on when they place their beloved pets on Continental's flights. I agree that some media coverage might be the type of action that is needed. Also this tragic event could be reported to an animal rights organization.

All day today I have been concerned and thinking about this because I ship a lot of gliders a year. The most I ever sent was 5. Judie reminded me of when Cindy Carnes lost her glider in a car last year. The gliders were found wet when there was no water around. I keep thinking these gliders suffocated. That makes me sad as I think of their struggles. Priscilla has shipped a few hundred gliders and I called her tonight since she lives in Houston. She said she only has shipped one large shipment and that was to Pazik. She said that when the gliders arrived they were wet. They were shipped in a Taconic and it had not rained either. She said none of the gliders died, but that they were both puzzled because they were wet also because they were shipped directly from Houston to Las Vegas and there was no rain on either end. She said it was hot and in the summer. She agreed with me that the gliders did not have enough oxygen in these bags and because there were so many in such a small space, that there was not enough oxygen in the container. With the temps rising, it just made things worse.

what about shipping only on night flights when the sun is not so hot

I would hope that maybe a petition to allow people to fly with thier gliders in cabin would come up too.. If they can't care for our babies the way they should be, then they need to let US do it..
So sorry to all involved.. Unfortunately I know all too well how you must be feeling. I lost 6 babies on thier way to Canada (via train, negligence on the part of the buyer, not shipping company), as did Leyna and several others from this board. Hugs to all!

Personally, I don't like shipping at night. We have a choice here in Tulsa to either ship at 6:20am or 4:30pm. I only ship at 4:30 if the layover is too long at the 6:20am flight. After four hour layover they kennel the gliders. I ship over thirty gliders a year and I had two problems with Continental. The first incident was My flight was late leaving Tulsa and the turn around to the next flight in Houston was 40 min. The gliders had to be kenneled all night in Houston. Well because they don't have kennels like dogs, they left them in their carriers all night. I always put apples and grapes in the bags. I had them in a cat carrier and they were in rubbermaid type boxes inside with snap lids and holes drilled. There were three gliders being shipped. Two were joeys and one adult female. The connecting flight for Ohio was late in the afternoon and they didn't get there until after 4. The flight was delayed again because of rain in Ohio. The gliders were suppose to be brought up to the baggage claim area and my client waited there. Now remember, this is this is about 34 hours after they left my house. She waited and waited and the gliders came up on the baggage ramp. The attendant waiting with her was appalled and the glider carrier as well as gliders were sopping wet and cold. The next day she took them to her vet to have them checked out and they were fine. I don't getting wet would have hurt them. It rains in Australia and they do get wet there too. It was the stress of being in a 5" by 6" box all night that would have killed them. I ended up writing a letter of complaint and was able to receive a letter of apology as well as a credit on my credit card for the flight. The next incident was a flight going to New Jersey. The gliders were left on the Tarmac that morning on the (at that time) 6:45 flight. Doyle, a worker for Continental called me at 7:30 and said that the glider had been left behind. It was in a cat carrier so it was visibly noticable. My client had taken the day off to pick up the glider in New Jersey. I told him that it was going to be tough to tell my client that he could not pick up his glider that day. He said, "Let me see what I can do for you". He called me back a few min later saying that the glider was riding in the cockpit of the next flight to Jersey. It was not an animal safe jet under where they keep the animals normally, so it had to ride as a passenger. I wonder if they put the jet on auto pilot and got him out and played with him???? It was totally against airline regulations, but they did make it right by me and the glider arrived two hours early because there was no stopover.
I ship over 30 shippings a year and have done so for 5 years. These are the only incidents I have had. The most I have shipped in one carrier was 5. They were in a cat carrier in different boxes inside. Even that time I was nervous.
Cindy, I would like more information on a coolpack. I am not sure what that is.

My heart goes out for the gliders lost and the people they were to go to, esp the little girl.

I had at one point 25 gliders shipped just like this and all at once about this time of year and no problems, I do not feel this was the shipper. Its kind of irrelevent in this post.
This thread is for mourning the loss of gliders, there is a thread open to discuss shipping methods.
Tracy I'm sorry for your loss, trying to help you get this thread back on subject. You have my number call if you need anything.

In the end, NO ONE knows exactly what happened.

What I do know because I WAS THERE TO SEE the shipping container, is that the airline puts all of the "live animal" stickers and the shipping info stickers OVER THE VENTILATION HOLES. No kidding, no speculation. Thats a fact I saw with my own eyes.

Im in awe that so many people can sit back, speculate, and point fingers based on their own personal opinions. Did you see the shipping crate? Did you see the pouches? I did, Tracy did, and Linda did. Thats it. If they got overheated... why would the gliders in the thicker pouches survive, even a joey, and the gliders in the thinner pouches die? Does that make any sense?

In all, I didnt want to get into this debate, I really didnt. But I also cant sit back and let people speculate and blame Linda when they dont even have any facts to base it on.

This thread is to post your condolences only for the loss of these little ones. There is a thread in Glider Talk to discuss the alternatives to safely shipping gliders.

Unfortunately, I will have to close this thread.

Hi. For those of you that do not know me, My name is Tracy and my daughter Danielle and I were the ones who received the shipment containing the gliders that had passed away.

This has been a very difficult couple of days for us, but I wanted to thank everyone for the hugs, prayers, thoughts, PM's and offers for a replacement family for my daughter. At this time, she isn't ready to commit to another family. She wants to find closure on PopRocks, Twizzlers and Starburst before she commits again, and I support her in that decission.

The one hope I have as a result of this tragedy is that we can work together as a community to come up with alternatives to help make shipping of these sweet creatures safer. Please post your ideas, they will help.

Also, please leave the drama and critisism off the board. I know we are all passionate about these creatures, but we need to go forward, not back.

My sympathy to CarrieT who lost one of her girls without ever even meeting her. She named her Sara, and she is burried in my garden nexxt to our lost family.

I also wish the best to Elee and her new family of 3 and CarrieT and her shipment survivor Hannah.

As for my family, we will continue to morn the loss of sweet PopRocks, Twizzler and Starburst, but will also be that much more greatful for the colony of 8 that survived.

Please give your gliders an extra hug to show them how much they mean to you.

I am requesting that this thread be locked for personal reasons. You may pm me if you feel you need to