EXOTIC AUCTION: 1,500 ANIMALS TO BE SOLD AT FRUITLAND THIS WEEKEND

FRUITLAND -- As many as 1,500 exotic animals -- from African antelope to zedonks and alpacas to zebras -- and 450 to 500 animal buyers and sellers are expected in Cape Girardeau County this weekend for an annual animal auction.

The two-day sale will be held at the Fruitland Livestock Sales Inc. barn Friday and Saturday starting at 9 a.m. each day.

The animals range in value from $50 to more than $2,000.

"Buyers and sellers from a number of states will be here," said Neal Franke of Mid-America Animal Auction. People flock into this area twice a year seeking exotic animal breeds.

Llamas are always a favorite at the auctions, said Franke, of Uniontown. "They're cuddly, they're fuzzy, and a lot of animal lovers look for them."

There will be more than 100 llamas.

There will be animals for almost everyone at the auction. The include Indian antelopes, spotted donkeys, water buffalo, wildebeest, elk, red deer, emu, ostriches, wild hogs and pot-bellied pigs.

Also on the available list are the zedonks, a cross between zebras and donkeys, and the alpacas, which are in the llama family.

Other favorites include the miniature animals such as brahmas, donkeys, horses, and cattle.

We'll have as many as a dozen different breeds of cattle, said Franke.

"The pot-bellied pigs were once great sellers," said Franke.

A decade ago a pot-bellied sow and eight piglets sold for $30,000. Those prices are down considerably now.

All animals sold at the auction must meet health and industry standards established by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. A number of livestock enforcement officers from the department will attend.

Franke and his wife, Michelle, hold two exotic auctions a year -- in April and October.

"I've loved exotic animal since I was a kid," said Franke. "I finally obtained a buffalo from Dave Hale."

Now, Franke and his wife raise buffalo, a few different breeds of sheep and miniature donkeys.

The 1997 event marks the fifth year for the Mid-America Animal Sales, but exotic animals have crossed the auction block here for more than 20 years with Dave Hale and Five-H Animal Ranch conducting two-, three- and four-day sales.

Hale, of Cape Girardeau, is no longer involved in selling exotic animals, but he is one of four auctioneers who will be selling them this weekend.

Joining Hale behind the auctioneer microphone will be L.R. Brandes of Jackson, Ken Carney of Dexter and Scottie Wilson of Sparta, Tenn.

The auction barn will open at 7 a.m. each day, with the sale to start two hours later.

Included during the will be a caged-animal and bird swap. The swap will open at 8 a.m. both days. All caged animals and birds will be sold with cage.

Additional information is available by calling 243-4255.