Elephant Aid International

Tag: elephant

  • Bo Comes First!

    Bo Comes First!

    When I claim that elephants come first in everything we do, I am not exaggerating. With that philosophy we clearly know what decision should be made in all situations concerning our elephants. This morning was no exception.

    Bo spends all his waking hours out in the habitat, grazing, exploring, browsing, bathing and even napping during day light hours. But when it comes to sleeping in the dark, Bo retreats to the barn with its sand filled stalls and open doors.

    From the looks of it, Bo had a long night of grazing because he was still sleeping when staff was scheduled to arrive. Text messages were sent informing staff, “Bo is still asleep, do not drive through the front gate.” This decision was made knowing that a vehicle passing the barn could wake Bo. Our goal is his health, and sound sleep is a big part of that.

    8am, 8:30, 9, and now 9:16 as I am writing this post, Bo is still sound asleep, non-invasively observed through the barn nanny cam.

    Staff are patiently waiting at the front gate, content knowing that Bo’s needs are our primary focus.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Follow EAI on Twitter!


    Elephants are not objects for human amusement. Using elephants as attractions ends when tourists refuse to visit cruel events — such as the “elephant car wash” seen in this article.


    Are you following Elephant Aid International on Twitter? Stay up to date on the latest EAI news and read what others are saying @ElephantAidIntl.


    Speak out on behalf of animals in need.


    In Defense of Animals released a list of the top 10 worst zoos for elephants in 2016. Oklahoma City Zoo topped the list. Warning: The link contains images and videos that may be upsetting to witness. View the full list here.

    ERNA join us
    EAI draws on decades of experience designing and building sanctuaries that give captive elephants new lives of freedom and autonomy. ERNA is a much-needed, sustainable, eco-friendly, natural habitat home, where elephants will not merely survive, they will thrive. Learn more about EAI’s mission, vision and goals for ERNA here.

     

  • Sign Up for Our Newsletter


    “Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.” — Irene Pepperberg

     

    Here’s a feel-good elephant story: A photographer stumbled upon a wild elephant in Zimbabwe — who stretched gracefully to reach for food in tall trees. Important to remember that the elephants did not remain in this position for any length of time, otherwise they could sustain an injury.

    ERNA join usIn addition to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants, ERNA will also aim to contribute to the growing body of knowledge of captive-held elephant welfare through non-invasive, observational research and educational outreach. Join us.

     


    A truly devastating story. An elephant named Sabre was rescued by conservationists in Borneo. After helping the beautiful being, they released him back into the wild, assuming he would be safe since poaching isn’t common on the island. Unfortunately, shortly after, the conservationists discovered Sabre had been killed for his ivory tusks. Read the full article here.

     

    Have you signed up for our e-newsletter yet? Stay up-to-date on all of the latest EAI happenings that you may have missed. Plus, we will be sending employment and volunteer opportunities as they become available through the newsletter as well. Sign up by clicking here.

     

    “Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.” – John Muir