Elephant Update: Blossoming Bonds

Spring brings nature’s bounty with long, breezy, sunny days, luscious new grasses, trees bursting with fresh leaves, and seasonal rains filling ponds, mud wallows, and puddles. The elephants seem to enjoy the eruption of fresh smells, tastes, and reasons to become more active and engaged in their habitat.

Routine is innate with elephants, so it is no surprise that even though Bo, Mundi, and Tarra’s activities change this time of year, patterns quickly emerge, and their behavior becomes pleasantly predictable.

Mundi and Bo's mud play has become a delightful routine

In the mornings, Bo and Mundi are always together, waking from a refreshing sleep either in a cozy spot under one of the massive oak trees or the soft sand stalls of the barn. Bo prefers stall number two and Mundi stall three. Mundi wakes precisely at 7 a.m. and stands over Bo until he wakes at 8 a.m., year-round. Neither recognizes Day Light Savings time, so this time of year, it would appear they are sleeping in. Tarra’s sleeping spots are always under heavy tree cover, where she expertly disturbs the rich soil to create a soft bed.

Mundi stands guard over Bo as he slumbers peacefully

The Refuge produces a variety of grasses, trees, shrubs, and vines. Johnson grass, orchard, and rye are abundant in the 100 acres. Bamboo is prolific in the far eastern areas of the 750 acres. Such a variety of vegetation satisfies the elephants’ dietary needs. Being constant eaters of food underfoot means they are engaged in the natural behaviors of searching for, selecting, collecting, and consuming food while walking miles on natural substrate for nearly twenty hours daily.

The bonds between Mundi, Bo, and Tarra have deepened over the past three months. Tarra spends much more time with Bo and Mundi. Mundi searches out Tarra when Bo is napping, and Bo responds to Mundi’s obvious desire for him to follow her on another adventure. At the 10 o’clock night feed, it is no longer surprising to find all three together, grazing in the tall grass, each wearing a fresh coat of wet mud.

Mundi and Tarra caught on the EleCam

What we do not see first-hand, we observe through the EleCam which is a window into their world, enabling us to learn more deeply who they are as individuals and witness their evolving relationships.

Grass for Giants: Let's Seed Their Feast

Join us in this planting season as we prepare to seed the pasture with Bahia grass, the perfect feast for our beloved elephants! Bahia grass boasts an ideal blend of vitamins, minerals, and protein, satisfying our elephants' taste buds while ensuring their nutritional needs are met. Thriving in our hot, humid climate, Bahia grass promises to flourish and provide our gentle giants with lush grazing grounds.

Bo, Tarra, and Mundi eagerly await the abundance of tasty grass that awaits them during the growing season, which spans from March to late November. With each 50lb bag of seed covering two acres of land, your contribution will directly impact the well-being of our elephants. Whether you choose to donate a bag or a portion of one, your support will help us continue providing our elephants with the nourishing pastures they deserve.

Seed Options:

50lb seeds = 2 acres = $180

25lb seeds = 1 acre = $90

13lb seeds = 1/2 acre = $46

7lb seeds = 1/4 acre = $25

4lb seeds = 1/8 acre = $13

2lb seeds = 1/16 acre = $6

Your contribution, no matter the amount, makes a significant difference in our mission to ensure the happiness and health of our elephant herd. Let's sow the seeds of joy together!

In Memory of Animal Rights Hero Steven Wise

Center: Carol and Steve Wise

We honor the life of Steven (Steve) Wise, a man whose legal career served as a voice for animals. His passing reverberates through the world of animal welfare. Teacher, mentor, and animal rights hero Steve sought to open the public's eyes to the intelligence of animals and end the prolonged suffering they endure in our society.

As president of the Animal Legal Defense Fund for a decade before founding the Nonhuman Rights Project (whose clients include great apes, elephants, and cetaceans), Steve gave a voice to wildlife and animals in captivity. Whether used in the entertainment industry, research, as farmed animals, companion animals, or living in the wild, Steve was their defender, fighting for legal protection and enforcement.

Steve's dedication to elephant welfare was experienced personally by Carol in her lawsuit to regain custody of Tarra. In his vigorous representation of Carol and Tarra, Steven Wise successfully argued that certain claims made against Carol by the board of the sanctuary she founded decades before, were without merit, and those claims were dismissed on summary judgment. This victory helped clear the pathway to her and Tarra's ultimate reunion and Tarra once again being in an environment and caregiving style that best suits her needs.

Carol noted, "When Steve agreed to represent Tarra and me, I knew we were in good hands. His deep commitment to Tarra's wellbeing and knowledge of animal law was obvious from day one. Tarra and I are forever indebted to Steve for all he did to free her... Years later, he asked me if I would take Happy ["The Bronx Zoo's Loneliest Elephant"] if she was released from the zoo, and of course I said yes." Steve's determination and persistence is an example of how humans can improve the lives of animals both in captivity and in the wild.

Three Cheers for Volunteers!

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 21-27), and what better time to express our heartfelt appreciation for all the passionate souls who give their time and effort to make a difference for the elephants. Our volunteers work diligently, whether they are helping at the Refuge in person, in the local community, or remotely from home.

Our gratitude goes out to these incredibly dedicated volunteers:

Here’s a sample of how these volunteers supported our work:

Onsite at the Refuge:

• Cleaning the barn / replenishing sand
• Gathering manure from the habitat and spreading it out as fertilizer in other areas of the habitat
• Keeping the fence line clear of brush
• Picking up donated produce from local grocery stores
• Sorting fruits and vegetables for easy grab-and-go feedings for caregivers

Locally and Remotely:

• Booths and events
• Data entry
• Donor acknowledgments
• Editing/writing
• Google Ad administration
• Graphic design
• Grant searches
• Research

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you interested in volunteering for Elephant Aid International (EAI) or Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA)? We have a variety of projects where you can help us remotely using your skills or onsite if you live in or near southernmost Georgia.

For those who volunteer onsite at the Refuge, you’ll see the peaceful paradise our elephants call home as you deliver produce donated by local merchants. Please note that ERNA does not offer volunteer experiences that include interaction with elephants. We ask volunteers to commit to two scheduled 3-hour shifts per month for a 6-month period or more. Due to scheduling requirements, we need volunteers who live within a one-hour radius of the Refuge located in Attapulgus, Georgia.

Learn more about our ERNA Volunteer Program and sign up here.

Don’t live near southern Georgia—you can still help! We have people from all over the world who use their special skills and knowledge for everything from architectural design, drawings, and graphic design to social media, marketing, legal support, and a whole lot more. There is so much you can do remotely to lend a hand.

See a list of needed skills and sign up for our Special Skills Volunteer Program.

For those who can travel to the Refuge on occasion, we often need skilled trades and expertise in engineering, welding, plumbing, and electrical so let us know if you would be available for a special project.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Gift of Elephant Joy

Celebrate Mother's Day (May 12) by sending an honor card from Elephant Aid International, featuring the beloved Mundi herself!

What better way to honor the matriarch in your family than by sharing the heartwarming story of Mundi's remarkable journey at Elephant Refuge North America. Having spent a year in our care, Mundi's anniversary falls on Mother's Day, making it the perfect occasion to give an update on her life.

You can choose to email Mom her honor card directly, or we'll provide you with a printable PDF that you can print and mail—or perhaps even hand-deliver to your mom in person.

Give the gift of joy to elephants in need and express your love with a donation in Mom's honor to EAI.

A Special Thank You - Subscriber Premiere Video

The Herd that Grazes Together Stays Together!