PETA wants a Neverland animal sanctuary

Animal rights organization urges Michael Jackson's children to turn the 2,800-acre property into a 'community park and center for animals.'

Mon, Apr 11 2011 at 4:30 PM EST

Splash News

Should Michael Jackson's iconic Neverland Ranch be reborn has an animal refuge and rehabilitation center?

PETA is backing the idea and has sent a letter to Prince Michael Jackson and Paris Jackson urging them to act. They are rumored to be interested in the idea.

“We are writing because it has come to our attention that you hope to one day turn your father’s Neverland Ranch into a community park and center for animals,” PETA representative Michelle Cho writes. “We encourage you to call for this vast refuge to be turned into a true wildlife sanctuary where animals can be properly taken care of instead of a zoo, where people are encouraged to gawk at imprisoned animals in the name of profit.”

A couple weeks ago, I wrote over on Ecorazzi how Colony Capital, part owner of the 2,800-acre estate, is currently in the process of renovating the neglected property.

“Our plans have been to work to restore it to its original greatness,” CEO Tom Barrack told Bloomberg TV. “The place is amazing. It has not only the beautiful spirit and softness of Michael, but a legacy of a thousand years of Indian culture that had transacted upon it. We have just been restoring it, renovating it.”

He added that Colony is simply waiting to see what Jackson's children intend for the property before moving forward.

PETA wants to provide a bit of a push, adding in their letter some resources for the Jackson children to explore.

"The best way to gain a realistic understanding of everything that is involved in operating a sanctuary is by familiarizing yourself with the Standards of Excellence established by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and by visiting existing sanctuaries, such as Save the Chimps in Florida and the Performing Animal Welfare Society's wildlife sanctuaries in California," writes Cho.

She adds, "We encourage you to review these resources and begin planning for the eventual transformation of Neverland Ranch into a sanctuary similar in nature to that of its namesake — a place where to animals can escape from their former lives of abuse and neglect."

MNN readers have sounded off before on this issue, but let's revisit! What would you like to see Neverland become?