Elephant Aid International

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  • Tiger Tops Makes Top 10

    Tiger Tops Makes Top 10


    There’s a lot happening at ERNA! Volunteers and staff are now planting various types of bamboo. This will create an environment resembling elephant habitats in Asia. Plus, bamboo is the staple of wild Asian elephants’ diet. Sign up to become a volunteer today and help us create a thriving elephant environment.

     


    Foot health is a critical issue for elephants living in captivity, as the overall health of the elephant depends on proper foot care. EAI provides training to mahouts on how to take proper care of elephant feet to reduce the risk of disease. The 2nd annual Foot Care Workshop will occur in Nepal in October! Learn more.

     


    Congratulations, Tiger Tops Elephant Camp! National Geographic selected Tiger Tops as one of the top 10 luxury camping experiences. Learn more.

     


    If you are unable to volunteer at ERNA this spring/summer, you can still help… even from your home! Consider making a donation to ERNA today. THANK YOU!

     

    Fatal foot diseases due to improper care have become an epidemic among elephants living in captive environments. EAI promotes proper foot care education for mahouts — and the next workshop will be taught in October. Learn more.

     

    Tarra & Carol tire store 1974
    On Tarra: “She has just taken me on my life’s journey… She is it. She is the reason I do anything, the reason I’ve learned anything. She is my mentor.”

  • Flashback Photo!

    Flashback Photo!

    The next volunteer date will be June 17th. Sign up today!

     


    We are still fundraising for the elephant fence for ERNA. We are so grateful for those who have donated and shared our posts to spread the word! The sooner we build the fence, the sooner the elephants will arrive. Select Elephant Refuge North America on the Donate page.

     


    Carol: “The reality is that the captive-held elephant is a shell of her/his self. Everything about their life is dominated… And what that does in a highly developed and intelligent mind is it creates a syndrome called ‘learned helplessness.’ This condition is a result of continual, long-term abuse by a caregiver who also provides what the animal needs to survive.”

     

    Carol & BLES chain-free corral
    Did you know? Due to EAI’s efforts, The Nepal government is committed to all its female elephants at its 15 elephant facilities living chain-free. Learn more about chain-free.

     


    Flashback to this sweet photo. Tarra meeting her cousin Brooke for the first time in 2004. Elephants are such kind, gentle beings.

     

    Carol trimming feet on ramp @ ENP
    Foot trimming facilitates the overall health of elephants by preventing bone disease. The 2nd annual Foot Care Workshop will occur in Nepal in October. Learn more.

  • Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter!

    Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter!


    Are you subscribed to our e-newsletter? Monthly updates and opportunities will be sent via email — so, if you haven’t already, subscribe today!

     


    WE’RE HIRING! We are still seeking a development consultant to create and oversee all fundraising initiatives and activities for Elephant Aid International. Do you know anyone who would be interested?

     


    This is why we are working hard to improve elephant welfare. These beautiful beings are not meant to suffer in chains. Show your support by donating to ERNA today.

     


    Java is a fantastic assistant to the volunteers! Check out our upcoming volunteer dates.

     

    ERNA join us

     


    EAI Founder Carol Buckley, veterinarian Gigi Gaulin and visiting volunteer Lena Quenard from Thailand planted different types of bamboo to see which will be best at ERNA. Java did an expert job overseeing the activity. Bamboo is the staple of wild Asian elephants. Our effort to create an environment closely resembling elephant habitats in Asia is taking shape.

     


    Carol explains why only 7-10 elephants will roam the ERNA land: “You could have more, but the reason you wouldn’t is that the herd dynamics are affected when you bring in more elephants. Our goal is to create a healthy environment for elephants, and what’s healthy is when they act like a family.”

     


    “My motivation is to improve elephant welfare,” says Carol. “It’s not just about growing and growing. What I want is to give them autonomy and truly allow them to thrive, to just relax and be an elephant.”

  • Top 5 Things to Know About ERNA

    Top 5 Things to Know About ERNA

    If you are unable to volunteer at ERNA this spring/summer, you can still help out! We need compassionate individuals to donate items from our Wish List. With your contribution, these items will be used prepare ERNA to be a perfect home for elephants. THANK YOU! View our Wish List here.

     


    Did you see this new study? Elephants help our ecosystem by transporting seeds to new locations through feces. Researchers found that African elephants can transport seeds in their feces up to 65 kilometers (40.4 miles) — farther than any other land animal.

     


    Check out the top 5 things you need to know about Elephant Refuge North America including details about its location, purpose and how many elephants will be thriving on the land.

     

    unchained poster
    UNCHAINED will be shown at the Enfoque International Film Festival in Puerto Rico June 14-17. Learn more about this important documentary here.

     


    Watch how it’s done. 700 pounds of tire lifted from the bed of the truck to the hub of Big Blue’s front axel.

     


    Big Blu has new shoes and is ready to head back out into the habitat, YAHOO! Thank you Martha Till, Wendy Adams and everyone who underwrote the cost to foam fill the tractor tires ensuring that we can continue our habitat restoration without experiencing continual tire punctures. Puncture-Free, we are so excited.

  • EAI to Offer 2nd Annual Foot Care Workshop in Nepal

    EAI to Offer 2nd Annual Foot Care Workshop in Nepal


    EAI will offer our 2nd annual Foot Care Workshop in Nepal in October. Watch for the announcement!

     


    Elephant Aid International aims to educate mahouts about foot care to improve both their status in society and the welfare of captive-held elephants in their care! View the video here.

     


    We are currently fundraising for the elephant fence for ERNA. This specially designed fence will cost $14 per foot, $140,000 will complete the first of three phases. The sooner we build the fence, the sooner the elephants will arrive. Please consider contributing — even the smallest donations help greatly. Select Elephant Refuge North America on the Donate page.

     


    Read the latest ERNA news, donation needs, employment opportunities, and more in April’s EAI newsletter. Want first-access in the future? Sign up: elephantaidinternational.org/e-news

     


    Java supervises the volunteers during volunteer days! Do you want to volunteer to help build ERNA? We could use the support! There are many upcoming volunteer dates throughout the spring and summer. Become a volunteer today!

  • 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.

  • Life Is Good In Attapulgus!

    I have no photo to post, no video to stream but a need to share one of the many reasons I love living in Attapulgus, GA.

    This morning I received a phone call from the local Post Office. The wonderful woman who runs the Post Office had received a call from City Hall. They were looking for me. Well, yes I felt a kind of twinge hearing this, like, oh no, what happened.

    The Postal Clerk is a friendly woman, the go-to-person for a new comer like me. She knows everyone and how to get in contact with them. Apparently I am not the only one who goes to Irene for information about anything in Attapulgus, and Bainbridge for that matter.

    Being respectful of my privacy, Irene did not give out my number but called me instead to pass on the message. Wow, how kind is that? We chatted a bit. I thanked her for her kindness and immediately called City Hall.

    I have a good relationship with this person as well as she has notarised many documents for me and ERNA. She was so sweet, saying that yesterday a grandmother and her adolescent granddaughter were in her office enquiring about contact information for ERNA. Apparently the granddaughter, whom I hope to meet soon, is interested in elephants and is considering a career caring for them.

    I love the way this town operates; friendly, personal, kind and respectful. I look forward to a long and happy life in Attapulgus, Georgia!