Himal Gaj is a six-year-old captive born elephant. His father is the dominant wild bull in the area. His mother is a wild born, captive resident of the elephant breeding center at Khosor, Chitwan, … [Read more...]
Elephant abuse in Nepal: Are the mahouts really to blame?
It’s easy to look at an elephant shackled by both front feet to the ground, with open wounds, and blame the mahout. But I challenge you to learn the facts. Elephants belong to hotel owners In … [Read more...]
Foot Trimming in Bardia, Nepal
I'm back from Bardia. What an adventure! It was a 10-hour drive through mountains on rough roads. The 19-year-old driver of our rental truck scared the daylights out of all of us with his speeding, … [Read more...]
Report: Chain-Free Project, National Trust for Nature Conservation — Biodiversity Conservation Center
Chain-Free Hattisar Project National Trust for Nature Conservation – Biodiversity Conservation Center Chitwan, Nepal REPORT Project completed Jan 10, 2013 Department of National Parks and … [Read more...]
in the dark of night
A hauntingly familiar sound of clanking chains passed by my window, so close I thought perhaps my wall would be crushed. The clink clink clink of cold metal bracelets was unmistakable; an escapee was … [Read more...]
ke garne…what to do?
I have held off writing this blog for weeks hoping that my experience was anecdotal. I also wondered if sharing my experience and expressing my concern could be beneficial or would simply broaden the … [Read more...]
December 18, 2012 – E-Newsletter
I am back in Nepal. So much has happened during my first month here! I accepted a kind offer from the National Trust for Nature Conservation’s Biodiversity Conservation Center to live on-grounds. … [Read more...]
A precious soul lost
It's been a pretty intense week. A two-year-old female calf at the breeding center was diagnosed with herpes. Even though she received treatment, she passed away two days later. Herpes is … [Read more...]
Back in Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal
Working in Asia the past two years I have learned a tremendous amount about how culture and tradition affect collaborative conservation efforts. Among the most important lessons is the need to ensure … [Read more...]
Bahabur’s surgery
Oct 17th [Warning: This post includes graphic photos.] My first morning in Assam, I awoke to learn there was an elephant emergency. Thirty-five-year-old, Bahabur, a skilled koonki … [Read more...]
Asia calls
The annual monsoon season is nearly over. Asia is calling me back, once again. These weeks home have flown by, filled with taking care of business and preparing for my return to Asia. This coming … [Read more...]
Sweetie Kali’s Water Trough
When Paspat, the mahout supervisor at National Trust for Nature Conservation, asked about a water trough for Sweetie Kali, I nearly fell off my chair. Seriously--- his question was a shocker because … [Read more...]
