Great suffering of the heart for elephant and human alike; separating bonded individuals is paramount to abuse.

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Tarra and I have shared our lives for 36 years, resulting in a deep personal relationship. What began as a novice caretaker and displaced orphaned elephant soon evolved into much more. Our shared experiences have forged a deep bond, much like mother and child.

The Board’s decision to keep Tarra and me apart is counterproductive for Tarra’s emotional wellbeing. Their actions defile the spirit of the Sanctuary. If aware of the depth of emotion elephants possess, they would not attempt to sever any significant relationship. As stewards of the Sanctuary, their abuse would appear to border on criminal.

Yesterday, inside the Lewis County courthouse, my attorney argued for my right to see Tarra in order to monitor her wellbeing. The Board’s attorney argued against, stating that my request was only intended to satisfy my own emotional need. The Board’s attorney spoke of the Sanctuary’s ability to monitor Tarra’s physical health, but not her overall health. Currently the Sanctuary has no expert on staff to monitor Tarra’s overall health, the wellbeing of her mind, spirit and body. The lack of such expertise puts all Sanctuary elephants at risk and negatively affects their continued rehabilitation.

There was little the Judge could do to grant my request under the confines of the law, which views animals as property. If Tarra had been a Kubota Tractor I would have be granted permission to “inspect” her. But as a thinking, feeling, non-human animal, her needs, as far as the law is concerned, are irrelevant.

Tarra and I have once again found ourselves in uncharted territory, this time with no law designed to protect our relationship. It is not the first time we have found ourselves governed by a system that is not designed to address or protect Tarra’s wellbeing.

Tarra has no resemblance to a piece of property. It is insulting for the Board to suggest so. Her relationship needs are real. As stewards, the Board bears the responsibility to allow Tarra and her precious sisters to develop the relationships they desire — a principle the Sanctuary was founded on.

Although today the court was unable to provide protection for Tarra, I am confident that my continued effort will be successful. I founded the Sanctuary 17 years ago for the express purpose of protecting Tarra from a cruel and unjust world. I will not allow anyone to harm her no matter how long this effort takes. I will not allow this judgment to deter me from my goal to reunite us. The promise I made to Tarra 36 years ago still holds true; I will never abandon her.

Comments

13 responses to “Great suffering of the heart for elephant and human alike; separating bonded individuals is paramount to abuse.”

October 18, 2011

Sandra G

This makes me wonder how we can have positive thoughts when the BOD is so wrong. i am truely heartbroken to see that you are still separated from your beloved.

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October 18, 2011

[email protected]

I love you Carol. My heart is breaking. There are many of us right behind you.

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October 18, 2011

Ellie

The BoD actions are self serving and certainly not in the best interest of Tarra who has had a loving relationship with you for 36 years.
In my opinion, it shows the BoD ill will towards one of the Sanctuary Co-founder. Their actions speak louder than their words.

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October 18, 2011

nadi

And we will never abandon you lovely Carol. The day I could not find somebody to sponsor you, you said “I don´t care whether they sponsor me or not, I´ll buy my ticket, because I do this for Sri Lanka´s elephants” They can take it all from you. But Carol Buckley the legend will never lose her battle to be back with Tarra. Yes it is Carol´s emotions -the noble emotions- that changed the lives of thousands of Elephants and humans. Love and prayers..!!

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October 18, 2011

Cora

You and sweet Tarra have my support. Please let us know what more we can do to help.

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October 18, 2011

tonikeefe

Carol and Tarra,
My heart is bleeding for you both. I am angered and saddened — but not surprised — by this news. I admire your perseverance, strength and patience. I send you love and peace.

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October 19, 2011

sherryheim

Well, if property rights are the concern, as much as I know you hate the idea of owning another being as “your property”, you have the ownership papers for Tarra and I would think that the law would state that you could even take Tarra from TES if you wished to do so. TES in no way owns or has any rights to Tarra, she is yours and you have all the documentation, 36 years worth, to support that. In the mean time they exploit her to bring money to the Sanctuary. You may be forced to take this matter to a Federal Judge in order for your side of this situation to be addressed. You may be forced to sue TES for far more than you are. It seems that you have tried to be fair, but TES has essentially kidnapped your elephant and is holding her hostage. One might argue that the intent of the BOD in the first place was to get rid of you so they could use Tarra as an ambassador and exploit her love for Bella as a means of bringing recognition and support to TES. Tarra is perfect with strangers and sees a camera as someone who she thinks “Oh, you must be looking for me!” She is a ham and loves the attention. She is comfortable in that situation, also. TES has no right to use Tarra in these ways without your expressed permission and I honestly believe that they have no moral or legal right to keep her from you for any reason. Why don’t they bring in some cameras and film Tarra’s reaction to you visiting her? If it is true what they say, “Tarra couldn’t care less if you are there or not,” let them prove it. I think the moment you show up, Tarra will be spinning and barking with ears and tail out…also with that big Tarra smile that she saved just for you. Certainly, no one could argue that it would do Tarra harm to see you…they let press photograph her and those people are strangers who could, if we were not talking of Tarra here, instinctively signal danger. I keep the photo of you, as a young girl,sleeping with baby Tarra as a background on my office computer. It gives me a lot of opportunity to tell your and Tarra’s story and also to discuss the plight of elephants on a global level. Thank you, Carol, for you loving heart and not giving up on your relationship with Tarra. She needs you and you need her. Perhaps we all need to find a way to make a new home for Tarra and a few other deserving elephants where the BOD of TES has no ability to keep you from your herd member, Tarra. If I am saying too much, here, please feel fee to delete this comment or amend it so that it is not going to cause you more grief. I know that there are many who feel as I do and who support you in every way. TES is you dream! No one should ever have the right to claim that as their own, other than you.

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October 19, 2011

Hrimati Dasi

Sorry for the language, but that really “sucks”! on what basis don’t they let her see you? Do they restrict others from seeing their former elephants? What will they loose by restricting your visits? Elephants never forget their human friends or enemies. So, to let you visit her would only benefit them and her. Also, if they do not have any experts, as you write, than the future of the elephants under their “care” may be questionable.

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October 19, 2011

Caite

I am so sorry, Carol, and extremely angry at the board of “TES”. I feel so torn as I really want to support the elephants there but am finding it more and more difficult to support what is going on there. I have said it before, TES has lost their heart and soul without you. It still seems like a bad dream and I keep hoping I’ll wake up and get to go and read one of your updates with your incredible insights. Please let me know if I can do anything to help. I trust you are able to access my email address; let me know if not.

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October 20, 2011

Casey

The fact that they consider anyone’s emotional needs to be “only” shows very clearly that they don’t understand. Emotional needs are every bit as important as physical needs. If they’re writing off a human’s emotional needs they can’t even begin to understand an elephant’s emotional needs.

With the lives those elephants lived before they moved to TES their emotional needs are extremely important.

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October 21, 2011

Beth

Carol, I am so sorry you must go through this all. I know you will be with your Tarra but to have to deal with this…..it is heartbreaking. It does show the true heart of the Board of Directors. How do they sleep at night?….but then, “people” like that never do care about anyone else but themselves….

My positive and loving thoughts going out to you and your sweet Tarra…..what a reunion that will be 🙂

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October 23, 2011

icday241

Is there nothing we as supporters can do to help? Very frustrating for all of us watching to think we are helpless in what is going on at TES. I have donated for over 6 years because of a YOU. This is very heartbreaking and if there is anything we can do to help get you back where you belong please let us know. I still have money sent to TES as I want to help provide for the girls in my own small way, but would much rather do so knowing you are there making sure it is done the right way.

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October 25, 2011

Gloria

It is the most wonderful thing that you not only created what was a heaven on earth for Tarra and then for her sisters while you were there. But now in the face of evil you are continuing to fight where so many people today would throw up their hands and give up — not that you would ever do that. There are uncountable people who are so happy at your response and would so much like to help.

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