Elephant Aid International

Tag: eai

  • Life is Good in Attapulgus!

    Life is Good in Attapulgus!


    We had fabulous weather for our Volunteer Day. You should join us! We have openings every Saturday through the summer.

     


    The habitat at Elephant Refuge North America is full of edible wild grasses and fruits. The plums are nearly ripe. Abundant low hanging fruit for elephants!

     


    These beautiful beings are meant to be appreciated, not controlled.

     


    “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…” – Carol Buckley

     

    unchained poster
    Do you know of a theater or upcoming film festival that would screen UNCHAINED? Do you have a friend with an in-home theater who’d like to host a screening? Or a theatre you can use for a fundraiser? You hosting the screening as a fundraiser for EAI will help to spread the word. Please help us bring this impactful film to a theater near you! For more information about the film, click here.

     


    If you’re unable to volunteer in person, you can always contribute to the cause by buying EAI an item from our wishlist. We are so grateful for your continued support!

     


    “I don’t think people really understand why elephants held in traditional environments are so unwell. It is because, at least in the Western world, the focus is on the physical. But in order for an elephant to thrive the focus needs to be on the emotional first and then the physiological.” Read more.

     

    sundar kali & oma kali
    Share with us: Have you ever seen an elephant in his or her natural habitat?

     


    Anything’s doable.

  • Thank You, Scott!

    Thank You, Scott!


    When ERNA is completed and the elephants arrive, EAI will feature a live stream — which will allow you to witness the beautiful beings without harming them. Learn more.

     

    Carol & BLES chain-free corral
    Culture around the use of wild and endangered animals is changing right here in the USA.

     


    Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection that causes the toe bones to disintegrate, leading to the elephant’s physical collapse and subsequent death. This can be avoided with proper foot care. Learn more.

     


    “Carol Buckley was born determined – an independent thinker who believed in challenging limits, no matter how formidable.”

     


    We have many more volunteer days planned for the month of June. Are you attending any? We’d love your help!

     


    We are grateful to Scott Pittman, founder of the Permaculture Institute in New Mexico, for his recent visit to ERNA — where he contributed his extensive expertise to our plans for sustainable design and living. We are very excited by what we learned. Thank you, Scott!

  • 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.”

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Chain Free Corral Project Has Released 106 Elephants

    Chain Free Corral Project Has Released 106 Elephants

    Carol was recently interviewed for KBOO radio’s Voices for the Animals program. “Listen and prepare to be inspired and moved by this remarkable journey of love and hope.”

     

    Carol & BLES chain-free corral
    FACT: With the help of EAI, a total of 106 elephants have been released from chains forever in Nepal, Thailand and India. Read more about the project here.

     


    To provide privacy for the resident elephants and security for the neighbors, Elephant Aid International is constructing a double fence system for Elephant Refuge North America. 30,000 feet of 8 foot high fencing takes some time and effort to install and our crew from Topnotch Fencing is doing an amazing job!

     


    We’re creating the next generation of sanctuary for elephants in captivity… And we couldn’t continue this incredible journey without you. Please consider donating by clicking here — every dollar helps. Thank you for your support!

  • Georgia Outdoors to Track Development of ERNA

    Georgia Outdoors to Track Development of ERNA

    Elephant Aid International has joined Evite’s charitable network: Pledgeling. When using Evite to send invitations, you can now request donations to EAI instead of gifts. Perfect for any elephant-loving party planner! Learn more here.

     


    Sharon Collins from GPB’s Georgia Outdoors and cameraman Shane visited Elephant Refuge North America this week to document our progress. The perimeter fence, which acts as a security barrier, is 50% complete. The fence crew is doing an amazing job. Georgia Outdoors plans to track our development and immortalise each elephant that makes ERNA their home.

     


    We would like to show our sincerest gratitude to Sarah Shaw, Founder of Nature Defense Foundation (NDF). Sarah has dedicated herself to helping animals in need and EAI is fortunate to have her join our efforts. The NDF has provided grant funding to Elephant Aid International and continues to provide fundraising and outreach support on an ongoing basis. Thank you, Sarah!

     


    We are working hard to end the worldwide suffering of elephants — and we couldn’t do it without your help. Thank you for your continued support. Please consider donating to ERNA by clicking here.

     


    ERNA will span 850 acres of land. The fence will help secure the perimeter to keep the retired elephants safe and allow them to heal and thrive within their natural environment.

  • ERNA: A Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Paradise

    ERNA: A Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Paradise


    ERNA will allow the opportunity for elephants to retire, recover, and thrive.

     

    Carol looking at Sita Kali
    “The All Asia Elephant Tour gives you the opportunity to see first hand the range of work being done to improve the lives of captive elephants on the Subcontinent and South East Asia… To respectfully observe elephants from all backgrounds thrive in their environments is a once in a lifetime experience we cannot wait to share with you.” – Tiger Tops Elephant Camp

     


    When Elephant Refuge North America is finished and occupied by elephants, live feed video streaming will be available on the EAI website. You will be able to watch the elephants in real time, while remaining non-invasive of their environment.

     

    Carol watching eles in lake
    As the ERNA construction continues to progress, we will start needing YOUR help in the upcoming months. Once they become available, volunteer opportunities will be posted here and announced via our e-newsletter.

     


    Deb Byczko shared her thoughts on EAI’s dedication to elephants.

     


    Another fantastic photo showing how well the perimeter fence around ERNA is coming along. We are thankful for the hardworking construction crew!

     

    ERNA join us
    The ERNA land features dense forests, lush pastures, and meandering streams — a perfect environment mimicking an elephant’s natural habitat. Learn more about the project here.

  • ERNA Fencing Construction is Making Progress!

    ERNA Fencing Construction is Making Progress!

    Boon Lott's eles
    You can still donate to help ERNA today. We appreciate all of your support; every penny counts. Thank you so much.

     


    Becky Bauer is excited for ERNA to provide rescued elephants with the “freedom of choice” to live their lives as they wish.

     


    The fence crew is here. Fence materials were delivered last week and the crew has already begun construction on the perimeter fence at Elephant Refuge North America. After the land purchase, which took place December 14, 2016, erecting the fence is the next step to realising our dream to provide a safe and healthy environment for captive-held elephants. This is your project as much as ours. Your continued support is needed and sincerely appreciated.

     


    Did you know: Carol Buckley has written multiple books; Travels With Tarra; Just for Elephants; and Tarra and Bella, the elephant and dog who became best friends. Last year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library chose Buckley’s book Tarra and Bella as a permanent addition to their library, sent to children turning five. Check it out on Amazon.

     


    Java does a great job of overseeing quality control. Neel Contracting is completing the fence line clearing today. Filling in an area that over the years has eroded is last on their list. Perimeter fence construction begins tomorrow! Follow up on Facebook to see more photos of our progress!

     

    Carol watching eles in lake
    Have you subscribed to our newsletter yet? That’s where we will be sending through ERNA updates and volunteer opportunities. If viewing the page on your mobile device, you can sign up for the newsletter by navigating to the EAI homepage and scrolling down until you see “SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER.”