Guests arriving for the second gala fundraiser, “Twilight in the Wild at the L I Game Farm,” on Sept. 12, were greeted by a contingent of protesters, led by John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island, some of whom held signs that drew honks from passing cars.

Asked about their reason for being there, many expressed strong feelings.

“Because animals are my heart,” said Maria Elena Bresloff, holding a sign referencing Bobo, the giraffe that died at the Game Farm last year. “We don’t want it to happen again. Animals are living beings, not objects. But since they can’t speak, we are their voice.”

For Juliana Johns, the point was simple.

“Animals belong in the wild,” she said.  “This is no way to sustain a population, keeping them in captivity.  It’s exploitation. Giraffes belong in their natural environment.”

And Stella D., who gave only her last initial for attribution, mentioned the NEWS12 story about the USDA’s investigation into BOBO’s death, which cited several physical deficiencies as causation.

John Di Leonardo explained their involvement in calling The Game Farm to task. “Suffolk County residents deserve better than to be conned by a self-dealing corporation that neglects animals until they die,” he said. “The misleadingly named ‘Foundation For Sustainability’ was founded not for the stainability of wildlife, but instead for the sustainability of the cruel and antiquated Long Island Game Farm, a for-profit entity that confines animals. Humane Long Island is urging authorities to take a hard look at this charity and reminds the public that wild animals belong in the wild.”

Melinda Novak, L I Game Farm president, and Patricia Snyder, L I Game Farm executive director, shared their concerns about the disturbance outside the facility’s gates as guests arrived for the evening.

“We are troubled to hear that the Long Island Humane Society continues to threaten the Long Island Game Farm, and now the Foundation for Sustainability.  This group is citing the USDA report earlier this year about the death of Bobo the giraffe last fall, which devastated the staff and our community.  While the results of the USDA report have long been addressed and there have been no further violations, this organization continues to misinterpret the report, spread false claims, and villainize LI Game Farm.  However, we can only speak to our own actions and motivations—animal care is our top priority.”

A suit filed earlier against them by Humane Long Island had alleged the Game Farm’s improper use of funds.“As part of our mission to connect people with nature and wildlife, we host a number of programs… to achieve our goals.  We are extremely proud of the community connections we have made in our first year of programming… We look forward to introducing educational environmental programs within the newly paved Universal Access Trail for all mobilities, and public performance on the newly renovated stage.”

“There is no credible evidence of their claims against this nonprofit,” she continued, “they are totally separate entities, with separate books for accounting. There is no impropriety. We follow the rules. Our Board of Directors signs an annual conflict of interest agreement as per appropriate non-profit protocols.”

At the Sept. 4 board meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Humane Long Island asked the board to investigate the Game farm’s $568K JumpSTART grant application, which mentions the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability.

“The county gave us the grant,” added Novak. “They want us to stay here.”