Elephant Aid International

Tag: foot care

  • Remote Foot Trimming – Nepal

    Remote Foot Trimming – Nepal

    Recently I had the opportunity to provide emergency foot care for an elephant in Nepal. I am currently in the US and Chanchal Kali, the elephant with the split nail, lives in Nepal. The injury was not the biggest challenge, our opposite locations was.

    Since I have interns in Nepal, I believed that I could assemble a team. But addressing this particular injury was something my interns were not confident about, they needed guidance. So I decided to test technology. Hopefully conducting the nail trimming procedure remotely, using a live feed, would work? We had to try. So, Donna of Direct Aid Nepal organized the mahouts and Chanchal Kali. Lena of Association Moey made sure her staff, both interns of mine, were available to help. And just by chance, Annette, one of my advanced interns, just happened to be in Nepal at the time. Our team was assembled and ready to give it a try.

    At 8am Nepali time, 9pm EST we connected via Whatsapp. As we expected the wifi was weak, the connection dropped several times. But even with the intermittent disconnects, I was able to view the toe and provide step by step instruction. Sanjay and Annette trimmed, Sweta translated and managed the live feed, Donna provided treats, and Chanchal Kali and her mahouts were incredibly cooperative and calm. The crack was deep and causing her pain. Thanks to a successful procedure the pressure is off the crack and the mahouts will monitor as she heals.

    Thank goodness for this technology which enabled us to provide quality care for an elephant in need, halfway around the world. Go Team!

    Carol Buckley

  • 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!

  • Tiger Tops Makes Top 10

    Tiger Tops Makes Top 10


    There’s a lot happening at ERNA! Volunteers and staff are now planting various types of bamboo. This will create an environment resembling elephant habitats in Asia. Plus, bamboo is the staple of wild Asian elephants’ diet. Sign up to become a volunteer today and help us create a thriving elephant environment.

     


    Foot health is a critical issue for elephants living in captivity, as the overall health of the elephant depends on proper foot care. EAI provides training to mahouts on how to take proper care of elephant feet to reduce the risk of disease. The 2nd annual Foot Care Workshop will occur in Nepal in October! Learn more.

     


    Congratulations, Tiger Tops Elephant Camp! National Geographic selected Tiger Tops as one of the top 10 luxury camping experiences. Learn more.

     


    If you are unable to volunteer at ERNA this spring/summer, you can still help… even from your home! Consider making a donation to ERNA today. THANK YOU!

     

    Fatal foot diseases due to improper care have become an epidemic among elephants living in captive environments. EAI promotes proper foot care education for mahouts — and the next workshop will be taught in October. Learn more.

     

    Tarra & Carol tire store 1974
    On Tarra: “She has just taken me on my life’s journey… She is it. She is the reason I do anything, the reason I’ve learned anything. She is my mentor.”

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Thank You!


    We are so thankful for the support we have received from our community. The funding for the fence clearing was raised by the GreaterGood with a generous matching grant from Jeff and Janis Rosenthal. And the Nature Defense Foundation, under the direction of Sarah Shaw, funded the perimeter fence construction. We are on our way, in a big way!

     


    Shristi Singh Shrestha’s comment about why she is excited for the development of ERNA: Elephants deserve a home.

     


    The recent rains caused a bit of erosion at the creek crossing at ERNA, which we needed to repair. We will seed this area and cover with hay. In days the grasses will sprout and stabilise the soil.

     

    Carol watching mahout trim feet
    The Dodo video about EAI foot care.

     


    This old house was found on the ERNA property. Would you participate in a volunteer day to salvage the tongue and grove wood siding?

     


    This photo was snapped while repairing a creek crossing at ERNA. Can you spot the dog?