Continuing Our Education

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Over the past two years I have refrained from engaging in public discussions about the Board’s actions. I did not want to fuel the fire of already heated discussions. Quite honestly, my input would have not helped anyone better understand the situation because the Board’s action was beyond my comprehension.

As my chance to be heard in a court of law comes closer, I am beginning to gain insight into the “WHY” of the Board’s action. It will take our day in court to expose its motivations. Time moves slowly in court cases, especially when one side stalls, preferring to put off due process or accountability. So, we must remain patient.

I would like to reconnect with all of you. It has been too long since I shared my elephant experiences and engaged in open discussion about our mutual ele-love.

While waiting for my case to come to court I would like to change gears so we can continue to advance our knowledge and understanding of elephants together. We have had a chance to vent at the injustice, but now I would prefer to spend my energy discussing what brought us all together in the first place….elephants.

You might have a better suggestion but I think a prescheduled weekly online discussion would be great. I could pick the subject of the day from a list submitted by all of you. We would be required to stay on topic, with the goal of learning more about elephants. I want to discuss who they are, how they live, their ability to overcome and recover from unhealthy situation and so much more. I want to expand on the positive aspects of work being done to right the wrongs against them. Instead of focusing on the negative, I prefer to do as I always have and focus on what we can do to help one elephant at a time.

Although I am happy to talk about all the girls, I think our time will be well spent if we strive to continue our larger education about elephants. There is so much to learn!

If anyone is interested in this idea, let’s set up a site for the discussions, appoint a person to organize it and schedule the first session.

Comments

13 responses to “Continuing Our Education”

October 20, 2011

Maraith

I’m interested! I have some basic questions about elephants that I’ve never had the opportunity to ask anyone. Then I can share my new knowledge with others and it will spread to educate many more. Thank you so much for your willingness to connect in this way.

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October 20, 2011

sherryheim

This is a great idea, Carol!! I have missed your open conversation and educational talks. It is hard to get past the tense lump that is in my heart ove the actons of the BOD, but i do believe that your real purpose in this lifetime is creating a place of respect and dignity for all of the remaining elephants on our planet. What you did in Hohenwald was nothing short of a miracle for a few lucky elephants, but there are so many more who need your expert assistance. We are all behind you and we want to see you succeed on all levels. I look forward to reading your words and posting them for others to view. Good on you, Carol, for looking beyond the murky mire and still being able to focus on the big picture.

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October 20, 2011

Sandra G

Count me in….I was thrilled to see you visit ENP and my friend Jodi said she learned so much from you.

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October 20, 2011

4elephants

What a great idea!! I am not very sophisticated in terms of the mechanics, but would be delighted to participate, learn, help in any way I can…

Two topic suggestions:
Elephant communication: O’Connell-Rodwell, Payne, ElephantVoices… The puzzle at Sheldrick Nursery as Wild and semi-wild ex-orphans gather to greet new orphans at Ithumba middle school, even before the orphans leave Nairobi…

Necropsy: How much is actually learned from elephant necropsy? How does the science compare to human autopsy? Often, results of elephant necropsy are unable to identify cause of death. Which major veterinary schools study/research large animal necropsy?

Thanks for the suggestion, hopefully this discussion group sails!!

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October 20, 2011

[email protected]

Carol, you know I am all for this idea..
I just hope I can remain on topic and not go wandering off into my personal memories and my deep love, respect, gratitude and admiration for you for founding the sanctuary.
Well as you can see I wandered already!

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October 21, 2011

Beth

Carol, I would love to have the chance to share your knowledge and love for these elephants. We can all learn so much from you. Count me in!!

As far as the trial, I am very patient. I know when this goes to court….the truths will be crystal clear. You can never hide the truth…..

Thank you for being there for those elephants….

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October 21, 2011

[email protected]

I’m in. I am not sure that I would be able to organize having a child who takes up much of my time. But I could help co-organize or co-co-co organize… but I am passionate about this. I think about elephants non-stop, captive, wild, U.S global. There are so many elephants who need help right here in the U.S. and Canada. I’m in!

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October 25, 2011

Gloria

Every comment I have read on the two recent posts contains a wish to help Carol fight. I share that wish. However, I think everyone who cares about Carol, Tarra, and Tarra’s sisters, as well as the elephants worldwide whom EAI wants to help — people who admire and respect Carol so much — know they have to defer to what Carol wants in this situation. She is the brilliant one who created everything, and we have to bow to her brilliance in her judgment about what to do in this blog. We also have to bow to the fact that what is to be done is up to her alone. We can follow her suggestion and enjoy thoroughly “talking” about wonderful elephants.

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October 26, 2011

DimandsR4Evr

Everything that we have ever seen or read about The Elephant Sanctuary in TN has included your amazing presence. It is encouraging to see that you are continuing your work for elephants and we look forward to hearing more about it. We saw ‘The Lucky Elephant’ last night and your role in providing Flora a home touched us deeply. It was a lovely film for enlightening people on the issues inherent with elephant captivity. We understand that OWN has picked up the documentary and it will be broadcast in the near future. We hope to hear more from you in the days ahead.

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October 27, 2011

lilykate

Hello Carol, thank you for the opportunity to have a discussion about what has brought us together: our interest in and ongoing concern for the health and well-being of elephants. When I mention my interest to friends, I get the eyes rolling…really, elephants, why? I live in British Columbia, Canada and first became interested in elephants when Tina was moved to the Sanctuary. Reading about Tina and your work literally changed my mind about how we live on this planet with these incredible animals. How do we share our planet with other intelligent life? As human beings, it seems a struggle to live in a positive and non-violent way with other human beings much less with animals who are viewed as either prey (source of food or income) or in the way (taking up space required for human development). How do we communicate that animals besides ourselves have emotional needs and require protection? How can we establish a way of living with other animals that is symbiotic?
These are just some of my thoughts on a misty fall morning.
In peace, Kate

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October 28, 2011

Margaret

Count me in, also. I work during the week, day time, normal hours, Eastern Time, USA. So, if I the meeting isn’t convenient for me, please let me know the results and if there are any action items for any of us who can’t attend. I contribute, sign lots of petitions and send emails, but most of the time I am not sure if any of these things I do really helped. I think, Carol, with your help, connections, experience, strength, compassion, etc., you will be able to guide us all as to the best things we can do to help elephants. Thank you so much for suggesting this.

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October 28, 2011

Lesley

My trust in the Sanctuary won’t be restored until you are. That’s as succinctly as I can put it.

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November 2, 2011

torontogirl

Count me in as well! I won’t have time to organize etiher becuase I have a child. But, I am definitely interested. One topic in particular that interests me is how do mothers heal who have thier children stolen from them. I know it is a very common practice particularly in circuses all over the world to steal elephant babies from their mothers. Elephants are very family oriented so I wonder how do they get over the loss, and do they?

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