Elephant Aid International

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  • The Sale of ERNA is Closed!


    Broker Walter Hatchett, board member Leslie Schreiber, CEO Carol Buckley and the ever faithful Java arrived at ERNA after an eight hour drive. They are all tired but very excited that the sale is final and ERNA is a reality.

     

    “Have you ever heard of the saying that an elephant never forgets? It’s true.” An 8th grade student from the International School Dhaka in Bangladesh wrote this poignant article about the cruelty elephants endure for human entertainment. In the article, the intelligent and compassionate student mentioned Carol as a source for information.

     


    IT’S OFFICIAL: The sale of the Elephant Refuge North America is closed. We’re one step closer toward providing a home for elephants to thrive. Thank you for your support — we couldn’t do this without you. If you would like to pitch in, we’re still accepting donations. Click here to donate today. 

     


    “Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.” — Louis J. Camuti

     

    The Central Zoo Authority of India will no longer recognize seven circuses due to reported incidents of animal cruelty. As a result of the CZA making this move, the circuses will no longer be permitted to use wild animals (including elephants) in the entertainment. Unfortunately, the CZA does not have the power to rule against the use of domestic animals. Click here to read the article. 

  • Animal Rescue Site Fundraiser Equals Huge Success

    A small step in the right direction: Sri Lanka has passed tougher laws for the benefit of elephant welfare. With the new laws, young elephants will now be entirely banned from physical work. Sri Lanka will also now be enforcing 41 new legal conditions regarding allowance of bathing time, a proper diet that includes fruits and many more. See the details in the article here.

     


    We’ve posted a lot of informative videos on our Facebook page. Tell us: Which EAI elephant videos are your favorite? Do you like watching the foot trimming videos? Or do you prefer witnessing an elephant released from chains? Let us know by visiting our Facebook page and leaving a comment!

     


    EXCITING NEWS! The fundraiser made possible by Animal Rescue Site and a generous donor was a HUGE success. The goal of $15,000 has been matched. We are on a roll and ready to raise the remaining funds needed to enclose the property and bring in elephants. We are beyond grateful to all who contributed by donating, as well as commenting, liking and sharing the related posts. Thank you for your continued support and compassion of elephants in need!

    The first screening of UNCHAINED is on January 14th at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival located at 433 Broad Street Nevada City, CA.

  • Are Mahouts to Blame for Elephant Cruelty?

    Are Mahouts to Blame for Elephant Cruelty?


    Revisiting an important blog, posted by Carol. Are mahouts to blame for elephant cruelty? Not necessarily. Mahouts are underpaid, devalued, and lack education for caring for elephants. We don’t place blame on the mahouts – we give them the tools and education to make a positive difference in the lives of elephants.

     


    In addition to the large numbers of illegal poaching, legal poaching is a concern in some areas of Africa. Currently, elephants are fleeing from Namibia, Zambia, and Angola – where elephant poaching is legal – to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Elephants fear for their lives and are forced to find safe areas for refuge. Click here to read more.

     


    We are so grateful for The Animal Rescue Site and the generous donor who set up the fundraiser for fencing for ERNA. Each donation is DOUBLED for the greatest impact. Thank you to everyone who is supporting and contributing to this helpful fundraiser.

     

    Due to the elephant poaching pandemic, reports have shown that 98% of female elephants in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa are tuskless. Researchers fear that the entire species of African elephants will eventually be born without tusks – leaving them safe from poachers, but defenseless to natural threats.

     

    Last Tuesday, people all over the world donated to charities and causes to add a touch of philanthropy to the holiday shopping season. In honor of Giving Tuesday, please consider donating in support of Elephant Refuge North America — to help provide a home for elephants to thrive. Donate today at: elephantaidinternational.org/support

    Are you shopping on Amazon this holiday season? If so, please consider using AmazonSmile in support of Elephant Aid International. When you shop at smile.amazon.com and select EAI, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to EAI. Give gifts to your loved ones while helping elephants in need. You shop, Amazon gives, and elephants smile!

  • Two Great Ways to Support ERNA!

    Two Great Ways to Support ERNA!

    CoCre homepage imageTwo terrific fundraising sites are supporting the Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) fundraising campaign.

    The Animal Rescue site is offering an opportunity to support ERNA and have your donation doubled! For a limited time, a generous donor will match your $8 donation, which will pay for two feet fencing, up to $15,000! Don’t wait – donate today!

    The CoCre website is a storytelling platform to raise awareness and resources for good causes and organizations. The site has launched a fundraising campaign to support ERNA.

  • National Geographic Features EAI

    National Geographic Features EAI

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    A new feature in National Geographic, “Captive Elephants Freed From a Life in Chains highlights EAI’s work in Nepal. Carol tells the magazine that “getting [the elephants] ‘chain-free and pain free’ is a start toward improving the lives of captive elephants across Asia.’”

    Read the story and watch the video.

  • Unchained: New Documentary on EAI

    Unchained: New Documentary on EAI

    unchained poster

    A new documentary on the work of Carol Buckley and EAI improving elephant welfare throughout Asia has been selected for the 15th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

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    “Unchained” follows Carol and her team in their quest to enhance captive elephant welfare in Nepal. Using gentle persuasion and showing by example that there is a better way to treat elephants in captivity, Carol takes a phased, pragmatic approach to changing attitudes that relies on winning the buy-in of owners and mahouts (elephant handlers).

    Watch the trailer.

    Learn more from the Unchained Facebook page.

  • UNCHAINED has been selected by the Wild and Scenic Film Festival

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    UNCHAINED a documentary by Alex Rivera has been selected by the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. This film documents the work done by Carol Buckley and Elephant Aid International freeing elephants from chains in Asia. http://www.unchainedmovie.net

     

    14991189_1314057178624640_8083092852116667903_o“Let us remember that animals are not mere resources for human consumption. They are splendid beings in their own right, who have evolved alongside us as co-inheritors of all the beauty and abundance of life on this planet.” – Marc Bekoff

    161027094059-the-ivory-game-2-super-169“The Ivory Game” — a documentary regarding Africa’s elephant poaching crisis — was recently released to bring light to this shocking fact: “An elephant is killed every 15 minutes.” Elephants are suffering due to the cruelty of humans. (Warning: The article contains a graphic image.)

    14566427_1286789894684702_1653308219345432894_o-1Carol trimming Man Kali’s foot as her young son Hem Gaj and mahout Shree watch.

     

  • The Ivory Game

    The Ivory Game

    161027094059-the-ivory-game-2-super-169“The Ivory Game” — a documentary regarding Africa’s elephant poaching crisis — was recently released to bring light to this shocking fact: “An elephant is killed every 15 minutes.” Elephants are suffering due to the cruelty of humans. (Warning: The article contains a graphic image.)

    14991189_1314057178624640_8083092852116667903_o

    “Let us remember that animals are not mere resources for human consumption. They are splendid beings in their own right, who have evolved alongside us as co-inheritors of all the beauty and abundance of life on this planet.” – Marc Bekoff

    14566427_1286789894684702_1653308219345432894_o-1Carol trimming Man Kali’s foot as her young son Hem Gaj and mahout Shree watch.

     

  • After being released from chains, Sundar Kali and Oma Kali were finally able to be together

    After being released from chains, Sundar Kali and Oma Kali were finally able to be together

    14853128_1307064742657217_7607549469663905448_oAfter being released from chains, Sundar Kali and Oma Kali were finally able to be together, to touch and reassure each other, and move freely for the first time in their lives.

    chitwan1With the holiday season approaching, it is time to start thinking about finding the perfect gifts to share with family and friends. This year, consider giving the gift of APPRECIATION for mahouts by sponsoring an elephant and supporting EAI in the name of your loved ones.

    14939401_1308046432559048_2879081422808284583_o45 DAYS UNTIL CLOSING! We are so grateful for the additional time to raise funds for the elephant paradise. Would you like to personally help these wonderful beings? Every dollar matters. Please donate today. Thank you for your continued support.

    elephantpoacResearch from the World Wildlife Fund, University of Vermont, and University of Cambridge has shown that African economies are losing millions of dollars in tourism revenue due to elephant poaching. As elephant poaching increases, tourism decreases. According to the article, poachers murder 20,000 – 30,000 African elephants each year. This brutality needs to end.

    baby elephant“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” – Dalai Lama

  • Elephants are more than a ride for your entertainment

    Elephants are more than a ride for your entertainment

    234In a fantastic article, Elephant Watch Nepal explores the cruelty elephants endure throughout chained captivity. Elephants are more than a ride for your entertainment — they are living, breathing beings who deserve respect and compassion.

    2Last year, a video captured the moment Simsar Kali was freed from her chains — after spending 7 years shackled. The actions of Elephant Aid International in Nepal have recently been gaining the attention of media sites, such as One Green Planet.

    14717311_1115814781788632_7464604301985460838_nWe cannot believe it has been nearly 2 years since we started building chain free corrals in Sauraha, Nepal. Thanks to your support, 106 elephants have benefited from our Chain Free Means Pain Free program.

    14882155_1302122219818136_8189606582067987508_o“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” – Anthony Douglas Williams

    14608833_1302174213146270_913941189433689731_oImagine spending your entire life shackled to the ground — trapped in agony by those who are supposed to care for you. Captive elephants should never be chained. They are sentient beings who deserve respect, autonomy and to be allowed to walk chain free and pain free.

    14590068_1303170419713316_2063596753955300023_oThis breathtaking photo taken in Corbett National Park, India, captures the magnificence of a healthy herd of Asian elephants in their natural-habitat home-range.

  • Current donation total is now at $858,945.00

    Current donation total is now at $858,945.00

    captureThe current donation total is now at $858,945.00. From the bottom of our hearts, we deeply appreciate your support in our efforts to help provide a better environment for elephants. We want to acknowledge the kindness every individual who donates and likes, comments or shares our posts. You are all contributing to the cause. Thank you. Donate today!

    14713070_1290567650973593_3888856378838742979_oElephants in Asia compete with humans for nearly all resources, including bamboo, a staple of the Asian elephant diet and traditional building material for humans. As long as humans see their needs as more deserving, elephants will continue to suffer. We must continue our efforts by educating the mahouts and providing chain-free corrals for captive-held elephants.

    14715661_1293375797359445_6945717541295315919_oShree (a mahout trained using EAI’s Compassionate Elephant Care) shows fellow mahout a more humane, more effective way to work around Samrat Gaj, a 4-month old captive-born elephant in Nepal. The mahout student is delighted by the results.

    14714836_1293522757344749_3029055320299766199_oThis newborn calf, only hours old, suckles from his mother — aided by a mahout learning new ways of relating to elephants. Compassionate Elephant Care, an EAI program being taught to all mahouts at government owned hattisars (elephant stables) in Nepal, is changing how mahouts manage their elephants.

    chitwan1Change starts with one person, who can inspire a whole group, who can go on to inspire the entire world. For elephants, chain free means pain free. By supporting the mahouts who care for impoverished elephants, the welfare of both is improved. Show the mahouts that you recognize their value. Support their transition from archaic to humane.

    14692053_1295359530494405_4158283269240433179_o“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” – Charles Darwin

    14711625_1295361663827525_8717717484992416154_oDid you know: Elephants take “dust baths” — as seen in the picture below — to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn and biting insects

    14712991_1296262603737431_6131236874564709140_oThe ERNA closing date has been pushed to December 15th, so now we stand at 57 days until closing! To help raise funds for the elephant paradise, donate today!

  • TripAdvisor no longer makes money off animal suffering

    TripAdvisor no longer makes money off animal suffering

    11tripadvisor-animals-master768Making steady progress for animal welfare: TripAdvisor to Stop Selling Tickets to Many Animal Attractions.

    14615856_1286567708040254_7526071632518963441_oThe progress in Nepal is driven by the mahouts’ willingness to learn how to provide better care for captive elephants.

    14566427_1286789894684702_1653308219345432894_oFoot disease is epidemic among elephants living in captive environments. Captivity-induced foot diseases among these long-lived beings can lead to physical collapse and death. Proper elephant foot care is vital for elephant health.

    14650303_1287513497945675_8147598989740765811_nIf we want a future of compassion toward elephants, we must teach our children to care for all creatures.

    14707902_1288403497856675_4883728828528651954_o28 DAYS UNTIL CLOSING! Only four weeks remain until the finalization of the ERNA land sale, and the elephants still need your help. Even the smallest contribution allows you to personally support the elephants in need of an environment to thrive. Donate today!

    14724476_1289593234404368_7665143081699443228_nAnother incredible picture of a sweet elephant from Nepal.