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PAGE, Ariz. -- A court battle opened this week over the future of four giraffes once owned by entertainer Michael Jackson. Officials are trying to get them evicted from their new home near the shores of Lake Powell.
There's been so much hero-worshipping of Michael Jackson lately, it's easy to forget how much financial trouble he was in just a couple of years ago. His Neverland Ranch was forced to sell off his exotic animals, and now the new owners are in a bitter battle over their future.
Tommy Hancock with the Voices of the Wild Foundation is not a short man, but he's dwarfed by the four giraffes. They reach up to 18 feet high, until they head back toward earth for food.
"This one will just eat all day long," he says.
They were purchased from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch two years ago. Now they have a 360-degree view of canyon country, including Lake Powell, and they seem at peace with their new surroundings.
"If they don't feel a threat or that you're going to harm them in any way, they're pretty much, pretty much docile," Hancock says.
Almost two years ago, Tommy's wife, Freddie, shared with KSL her life-long dream of creating a wildlife sanctuary.
"This is like a dream come true, to have four giraffes that I can play with every day," she told KSL back in January of 2008.
Almost ever since, they've been embroiled in an eviction battle. The city of Page, Ariz., terminated their lease on city property because the Hancocks have been unable to line up a $100,000 bond. This week, city officials were in court, hoping to persuade a judge to evict the giraffes.
"I don't know what I'd do. We don't have a place to take them yet. Nobody's offered. They've been here. They're acclimated to here. It would be traumatic on me and on them," said Tommy.
City officials have refused KSL's request for interviews because of the pending legal battle, but in the past they've argued they're afraid of being stuck with the giraffes if something should happen to the Hancocks.
The Hancocks, however, claim the city obstructed their effort to line up the bond. They say if they go bankrupt, other wildlife organizations have promised to step up to the plate.
"There's no chance that we would ever abandon them. And we would have to be physically dead to let any harm come to these animals," said Tommy.
The battle has divided the town. Many people love the project, but we've been told many others don't trust the Hancocks to raise enough money and follow through on their commitments.
The court case has been continued until Nov. 20.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
