Returning to Asia to Help Elephants in Need |
EAI CEO and founder Carol Buckley will travel to Nepal in late spring to host our foot care workshop, provide continuing education for mahout interns and meet with new partners regarding elephant welfare legislation.
Additionally in Nepal, a new and exciting opportunity has presented itself which could likely result in the creation of an elephant sanctuary for many of the captive-held elephants. While continuing to protect Chitwan National Park with their anti-poaching patrol and conservation services, the elephants would live chain-free in a spacious sanctuary setting, socializing with other compatible elephants. This has been a dream of EAI since we began our work in Nepal 10 years ago. Hopefully 2021 will be the year of real change in Nepal.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 forced us to cancel the launch of our Thailand Elephant Foot Care Center Program last year, we will fulfill our commitment this fall, if the pandemic regulations allow. We will take all necessary precautions to keep everyone involved safe. Many things have changed for elephants and their owners in Thailand, most not for the better. All the more reason to provide training to the many lodges that have shown an interest in EAI’s foot care program and humane management. We feel an urgency to connect with the communities that are on the cusp of embracing a cultural shift.
In anticipation of travel reopening, we ask our supporters to join this endeavor to affect lasting positive change for captive elephants in Asia:
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Thailand Elephant Foot Care Programs
We invite you to become an agent for change by supporting our Elephant Foot Care Center Program. We use donations to cover direct program costs, including educational materials, travel, housing, food and foot trimming tools.
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Nepal Elephant Footcare Workshops
Foot care programs in Nepal benefit mahouts and the elephants. You can help by sponsoring an elephant’s pedicure and his/her mahout's participation. Our education committee developed materials for the mahouts that increases their knowledge of elephant biology, psychology, health and society, as well as the important instructions necessary for skilled foot trimming. Your sponsorship will help provide personal foot trimming tools and hands-on instruction for each participating mahout.
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Keep watching for EAI’s monthly eNews – we’ll report dates as soon as they are scheduled. |
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Shankar Prasad Served Nepal’s Wildlife Well |
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A veteran of Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation anti-poaching patrol team, Shankar Prasad was a shining example of teamwork and cooperation. We met Shankar Prasad back in 2014 at the Lamichaur hattisar, on the banks of the powerful Narayani River. You would agree that he was a magnificent being, not only in stature but in personality as well.
Living in the middle of the jungle sheltered Shankar Prasad from the noisy crowds that invade other hattisars where tourists search for an elephant experience. Lush vegetation and easy access to the river made grazing, bathing and drinking constant activities. Shankar Prasad was one of the very first tusk carrying males to live in a chain-free corral constructed by Elephant Aid international. He took full advantage of his freedom, never once attempting to breach the corral. By all observations, he was a very content bull.
Sadly, Shankar Prasad died at the young age of 45 from Volvulus, a medical term that refers to the abnormal twisting of part of the large or small intestine. As an anti-poaching patrol elephant, his contribution to the protection of wildlife in Chitwan National Park was legendary and spanned decades. His gentle spirit and willingness to adjust to the demands made upon him, won him immense admiration from the mahouts. He will always be the bull who proved that solar powered chain-free corrals are effective, even for males endowed with such impressive ivory. He will be missed. Read more. |
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Lambodhar Prasad on the Mend |
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A sincere thank you to everyone who continues to help us provide assistance to Lambodhar Prasad. He is on the road to recovery!
You’ll remember back in 2015 when Lambodhar Prasad became unmanageable during musth (a large rise in testosterone). The mahouts were distraught. Each time they attempted to provide water, Lambodhar Prasad would lash out at them, smash the water bucket and fail to drink. It was dangerous for everyone involved. By the time we learned of the situation, Lambodhar Prasad had not drank for two days. We bought the necessary supplies and hired a plumber who connected an electric water pump to the existing hand pump and plumbed that to a holding tank. A long hose was attached to the holding tank and a large cooking pot was jimmy-rigged to slide into Lambodhar Prasad from a safe distance.
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Preparing the water tank for Lambodhar Prasad |
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A creative and safe way to provide water to an aggressive elephant in musth
Once the tank was filled, the mahouts worked together to slide the full water bucket to Lambodhar Prasad. He kept smashing the bucket previously because it was empty when first given to him, which caused him to become frustrated and aggressive. But this time, to his surprise, the bucket was full of water. Lambodhar Prasad drank his fill and the mahouts were relieved and appreciative.
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If you wish to learn why mahouts ride their elephants inside Chitwan National Park read our recent post.
A few months later, Lambodhar Prasad was moved, along with his friend Bola Prasad, to a hattisar in the interior of the Park. Being removed from noisy tourists is imperative for the wellbeing of a bull elephant during musth.
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Lambodhar Prasad on patrol in Chitwan National Park
Five years passed during which time Lambodhar Prasad and friend Bola Prasad lived in the wilds of Chitwan National Park. But last month, Lambodhar Prasad returned, thin and in poor health, to his original hattisar. He had lost so much weight that he was too weak to stand. Thanks to quick action by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the National Trust for Nature Conservation, and our supporters, Lambodhar Prasad immediately received veterinary care and assistance providing warmth and supplemental food. We are pleased to report that Lambodhar Prasad is recovering!
Although his weight gain is not yet obvious, his vitality shows a marked improvement. He has resumed his anti-poaching patrol schedule which means he is in the Chitwan National Park’s natural habitat all day, bathing and drinking in the cool clean waters of the Rapti River and foraging inside the Park. There is nothing better for an elephant than to walk miles each day, graze on live vegetation and forage on mineral rich tree bark.
We will keep you informed as Lambodhar Prasad’s health improves.
Thank you for your support.
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Commemorate a Special Day |
Looking for an altruistic way to celebrate your birthday or commemorate a special day? Invite your friends to help needy elephants. This year, each person who sets up a FaceBook fundraiser for Elephant Aid International will receive not only our sincerest gratitude, but also an electronic copy of the cherished Elephant Code of Living.
This inspired reading evokes the spirit and wisdom of the elephants whom we love so deeply.
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As always, we greatly appreciate your interest, commitment and help. You make our work for elephants possible. Thank you! |
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Support EAI Every Time You Shop |
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One World... One Elephant at a Time
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