Elephant Aid International

Author: Shannon McNamara

  • Unchained Selected for Enfoque International Film Festival

    Unchained Selected for Enfoque International Film Festival

    Another amazing Volunteer Day at Elephant Refuge North America. Everyone was so enthusiastic and hard working. They wore us out! Thanks to all our volunteers and supporters!

     


    Earth Day was April 22! We encourage others to assist in environmental conservation efforts to protect our beloved beings. In honor of this important day, consider donating to ERNA to help provide a home for retired elephants.

     


    A great piece on Tiger Tops Elephant Camp, Nepal’s leading eco-tourism resort to install chain-free corrals for all its elephants. Last year, working with EAI, they discontinued elephant back safaris, instead offering walking safari for their guests — an unforgettable experience! EAI is proud to have helped Tiger Tops take its place on the leading edge of humane ele tourism.

     


    UNCHAINED — the documentary following the work of Carol Buckley and EAI — has been selected by the Enfoque International Film Festival in Puerto Rico! The film will be shown through June 14-17, 2017 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

     


    These kind, intelligent and magnificent beings are so deserving of compassion. Contribute today.

     


    Hidden camera footage has revealed shocking cruelty inflicted upon elephants at Hannover Adventure Zoo in Germany. Carol Buckley, who reviewed the videos, stated: “The elephants are petrified. The trainers’ actions are vile and heartless.” PETA Germany is pressing charges.

  • Local Routes Goes Behind the Scenes

    Local Routes Goes Behind the Scenes


    Did you ever wonder what’s going into the building of Elephant Refuge North America? “Local Routes” takes you behind-the-scenes!

     


    Summerhill Digital releases a drone over Elephant Refuge North America.

     


    A new study reveals that African elephants can transport seeds in their feces up to 65 kilometers (40.4 miles) — farther than any other land animal. The transportation of seeds to new locations helps the environment by creating new plants. Incredible!

     


    If you are unable to volunteer at ERNA this spring/summer, you can still help out by purchasing an item from our Wish List. With your compassionate contribution, these items will be used to help us ensure that ERNA is a perfect home for elephants to thrive. THANK YOU!

     


    It was an exciting and productive weekend at Elephant Refuge North America! Close to 2 dozen volunteers from all over Georgia and Florida spent their weekend tearing down cow fencing, cleaning up piles of debris and organizing storage cabinets in preparation for our future residents. Mother Nature cooperated by providing perfect weather for our outdoor activities. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who gave up their weekend to help the elephants! We hope to see you again soon.

     

    unchained poster
    Alex Rivera, producer of UNCHAINED, emailed to thank our supporters for helping to get the film submitted into several additional film festivals. The only way the film can be selected is for it first to be submitted. Thanks to the generosity of many, UNCHAINED has been submitted to 9 more festivals increasing our chances of the film coming to a festival close to you! A huge THANK YOU to you 9 people who provided the entry fee so that UNCHAINED could be submitted to the festival of your choice.

    Know a festival where you’d like UNCHAINED to show? Submit the name of the festival and the submission fee to Alex here.

  • Thank You!

    Thank You!


    This is why we are working hard to build Elephant Refuge North America: To provide a natural habitat refuge where elephants will thrive and recover from the traumas they’ve experienced. Elephants are not meant to suffer in chains. Show your support by donating to ERNA today.

     


    Word is the Zoo announced they will go Protected Contact by next year. That is good news. Carol reviewed footage of alleged abuse of elephants at Hanover Zoo. In her review, she concluded that the elephants are living under a constant threat at the zoo, and have been suffering from learned helplessness due to the frequent, painful physical punishment and daily emotional stress. Read more here.

     


    In this article, Carol answers frequently asked questions. She addresses why ERNA — like other sanctuaries — will not be open to the public, as it helps eliminate “the most negative aspect of a captive elephants life; which is to be on exhibit. If your goal is to have the animal on exhibit, then every decision that is made is around that focal point of exhibit, so then the elephants needs are secondary.”

     


    We are so grateful for the support we’ve received. Sending a big THANK YOU to our hardworking volunteers and selfless donors. You are a huge part of the journey toward turning the ERNA land into a perfect elephant home — we couldn’t do this without you. Click here to view our Wish List.

     


    Tiger Tops Elephant Camp celebrated its first birthday on April 3. It was our pleasure to design the chain free corrals that are part of the unforgettable experiences they provide, spearheading ethical elephant practices in Nepal.

  • Bring Unchained to a Festival Near You!

    Bring Unchained to a Festival Near You!

    ERNA join us
    Have you signed up for an ERNA volunteer day yet? Duties can include cleaning up old dump sites where debris was discarded; dismantling cow fencing and removing barbed wire from pastures; seeding along the new fence line to establish grass growth; or simply tiding up areas in preparation for our new fence and barn construction. We need your help! THANK YOU.

     


    Stay informed: Check out the top 5 things you need to know about Elephant Refuge North America.

     

    unchained poster
    Want UNCHAINED to be at a film festival close to you? Here’s what you do. (1) Get the name of the Festival. (2) Find out their submission fee for a full length documentary (it will be listed on the Festival’s site). (3) Go to UNCHAINED site.  Provide the name of the Festival along with a donation for the submission fee. Alex Rivera will take care of submitting UNCHAINED and will send you a submission confirmation. Easy Pezzy!

     


    This photo shows our security/perimeter fence near completion. Our NEXT project is to construct the internal second layer of fencing for ERNA. It will consist of 30,000 feet of elephant-proof fencing, constructed of eight-foot high, eight-inch posts with three horizontal strands of ½-inch galvanized cable. The total cost will amount to $412,000. Please consider donating to assist us in reaching our goal — even the smallest contribution is a huge help.

     


    Two new dates have been added to Elephant Refuge North America Volunteer Days! Sign up today!

  • EAI Is Hiring a Development Consultant

    EAI Is Hiring a Development Consultant


    Our next ERNA project is to construct the internal second layer of fencing. The sooner we build the fence, the sooner the elephants will be able to arrive. Please donate (and designate your donation for Elephant Refuge North America) to help us reach our goal!

     

    big & small ele mouth to mouth
    We are hiring a Development Consultant who will be responsible for all fundraising initiatives and activities for Elephant Aid International. View the position and apply here.

     

    Carol watching eles in lake
    CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS: Your help is needed! Sign up for a day to volunteer (4/8, or 4/9) for ERNA work by following the link here. Each volunteer day will be limited to 20 volunteers and we expect them to fill up fast, so be sure to sign up early!

     


    In honor of the International Day of Happiness (March 20), consider bringing joy to retired elephants by contributing to ERNA. Click here.

     

    unchained poster
    The Cape Ann Cinema will feature a screening of UNCHAINED on Sunday, May 21st at 6:30pm. UNCHAINED is a documentary following the work on Carol Buckley and EAI. Both Carol Buckley and director Alex Rivera will be present at the screening and the weekend fundraising events sponsored by Cape Ann Fresh Food and Direct Aid Nepal. Be sure to join us by purchasing your tickets here!

  • The Importance of Proper Foot Care

    The Importance of Proper Foot Care

     


    Can you find the Anole(s) who welcomed us to the Elephant Refuge North America property in GA? They love the sun and change colours and form depending on their environment and emotional state.

     


    Imagine all of the elephants who will roam the ERNA land — finally able to retire, relax, and thrive.

     

    Carol trimming feet on ramp @ ENP
    Fatal foot diseases in elephants are caused by inactivity, poor husbandry practices and too much time spent standing and walking on unnaturally hard surfaces. Sadly, these diseases have become an epidemic among elephants living in captive environments. EAI promotes proper foot care education for mahouts. Learn more here.

     


    It is beautiful to witness the joy of captive-held elephants released from chains. This is why we are working hard to develop Elephant Refuge North America for retired elephants to thrive. Visit our Facebook page for more photos.