After losing their court battle to keep the sacred bull Shambo alive, the monks of Skanda Vale in Wales are calling on supporters to join them in prayer and noncooperation around the bull's home at the monastery.
Shambo, who's been lovingly nurtured and worshipped since his birth at the center six years ago, tested positive for bovine TB in the spring. Despite the fact he's in excellent health and isolated from other animals, authorities are determined to slaughter him rather than allow him to be treated.
The monks, who see Shambo's life as every bit as valuable as their own, have refused to cooperate in committing the ultimate betrayal of his trust. Said Brother Alex, a monk at the temple, “They will have to come back with their warrant and, no doubt, their gang of thugs." Shambo's primary caregiver, Brother Michael, added that not only will the MooTube Internet camera record any attempts to take Shambo away, "he's locked here and we will be having an act of worship in front of where he is. If the Welsh Assembly Government want to take him out of there they will have to interrupt an act of worship.”
Welsh authorities, meanwhile, have announced their intention to drag Shambo to slaughter tomorrow at 8 a.m. British time, saying, "We appeal to the community to co-operate fully in order to minimise distress to the animal, and to ensure the safety of all concerned." Apparently the distress they plan to cause "the animal" doesn't count.
The monks have issued an urgent call for help here to protect Shambo.