Bo’s Past and Hopes for His Future

Looking back over the past year reinforces our understanding of how physical freedom, the company of compatible others, and autonomy benefit the rehabilitation process for captive-held elephants. It is seriously important that elephants in captivity be rehomed to facilities operating with a progressive, humane based approach to their lives. But it cannot stop there. Once rehomed, these elephants require the opportunity to rehabilitate, becoming the best version of themselves possible. Living in captivity should not be an excuse for failing to provide for elephants in a way that fully meets their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Bo was captive born and lived with his captive-held mother and unrelated others for about a year. Things changed dramatically when he was sold, held alone, and used for television and movie work. Carol, EAI’s founder and CEO, met Bo way back then, a tiny baby chained in a tin shed, completely alone. Even though she was new to the world of elephant care, she remembers thinking those conditions could not be good for him.

At five years old, Bo’s circumstances changed again. This time, some of what had been taken from him years before was returned. Bo joined several other elephants and settled into what must have felt to him like a more familiar situation. Shortly after, Bo was castrated and joined his herd mates performing in the circus. Carol had the opportunity to meet Bo a second time while he was a young performer. And then a couple of decades later they met yet again, his final move, becoming the first resident at Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA).

Bo and his ERNA gal pals

Today, Bo is retired and living with Mundi and Tarra at Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA). Our facility is intentionally designed to rehabilitate captive-held elephants. Providing a healthy environment for elephants who have been deprived of a natural life is paramount. Understanding what Bo needs to thrive is key. His improved health, use of the expansive 850-acre habitat, and compassionate relationships with Tarra and Mundi are a testament that Bo’s needs are being met.

When referring to elephants, some institutions use the term under human care. Shifting the wording to focus on human responsibility, as opposed to the elephant’s circumstances, allows the ugly reality of captivity to be circumvented. Bo is a perfect example. Captive born from wild caught parents and prematurely weaned and taken from his mother at a tender age was an injustice that none should experience. Many believe elephants should not exist in captivity. When they do, no excuse can be accepted for a life lacking autonomy, close friends, and physical freedom in an environment that mirrors a wild life. 

We wish daily that Bo and all captive-held elephants were free. Until the time that elephants are no longer held in captivity, we plan to continue our efforts to raise awareness and develop welfare improvements for those here.

Bo the gentle giant and Tarra

This year, Bo has proven his reputation as a gentle giant. The giant part is obvious, his 10.5 tall, massive body towering over both Mundi and Tarra. But his gentle nature is what is so mesmerizing. His every interaction with Mundi and Tarra is soft and kind. He has never been aggressive or pushy, using his bulk or impressive ivory to intimidate or gain control. Bo is just a big, sweet guy.

Mundi stands guard over her Bo

It is endearing to watch as Bo and Tarra stand close and gently intertwine trunks. The special relationship they have developed is obvious. But it’s Mundi who is smitten with him. She follows Bo day and night and can be seen encouraging him to follow her. She dashes up to him, emitting a low rumble whenever their grazing activity results in a temporary separation. And she dances around him at feeding time finally calming her excitement and falling in behind, matching him step for step. Bo often awakes to find an ever-attentive Mundi silently standing over him. Together, they attract dozens of egrets who flank them, nabbing insects that are disturbed out of the grass as the elephants leisurely graze. Often, when Mundi does her signature face plant in the mud wallow, Bo is close by, slinging a sticky coat of mud on his back.

Be like Bo be happy!

As Bo enters his fourth year as a semi-free elephant, we are ever grateful to the Cardens for retiring him, thankful to our donors for your support, and in love with Bo for being the amazing individual that he is. We wish Bo, Tarra, and Mundi a full and enriched life and invite you to continue to follow their adventures and growth.

Living large in Pachyderm Paradise; Bo, Mundi, and Tarra

Elephant Castration in the United States

Bo, one of only two U.S.-castrated elephants still living, now thriving at ERNA

Elephant castration in the U.S. began in the early 1900s as a way to control musth, a period of heightened testosterone that results in male elephants becoming aggressive and difficult to handle. Although males tend to have greater endurance and are less affected by separation from herd mates, traditionally, females were preferred for rides and performances due to their more manageable nature. Zoos and circuses hoped castration would enable male elephants to perform the females’ revenue-generating duties.

However, early castration attempts were largely unsuccessful due to challenges with anesthesia and the complexity of the procedure, a major surgery with testicles buried deep in the core of the elephant's body. Many of these failed procedures resulted in the elephants' premature death, as was the case with Ned, Bo’s half-brother, who was chemically castrated at five years old and lived another 17 years in pain. Unable to digest and utilize a normal diet, Ned was anorexic yet was still used for rides and shows. He was severely underweight for years when he was finally confiscated by the USDA and sent to a sanctuary for hospice care. His condition was terminal and diagnosed as chemical poisoning as a result of the experimental castration he underwent. Ned succumbed to his condition six months after being sent to a sanctuary.

Captive-born Bo and his sibling, Big Boy—who share the same parents, Vance and Sue—are the only two U.S. castrated elephants still living, with Big Boy now residing in Mexico.



While vasectomies and other less invasive methods were explored, full castration became much rarer due to health complications and the difficulties associated with anesthesia for such large animals. Moreover, advancements in veterinary practices and the growing preference for behavioral management strategies further contributed to the decline of surgical castration as an option.

Challenges of U.S. Captive Elephant Breeding Programs

As Bo was captive bred, we are sharing the article "Elephants Dying Out in America's Zoos" from The Seattle Times to provide insight into the history and challenges of captive breeding programs in the United States. Although the article and study were conducted in 2012, the findings remain relevant today. It revealed significant health risks and high mortality rates among captive-born elephants, highlighting the difficulties these programs have faced in sustaining healthy populations.

With updated but possibly incomplete records compiled since the 2012 study, we have learned that since 1962, 153 out of the 285 captive-born elephants in the United States have died. The elephant infant mortality rate refers to the percentage of calves that die within the first five years of life, including deaths from stillbirths, disease, birth complications, and other health issues. Based on the available data, this results in a 37% infant mortality rate. Additionally, only 15 of the elephants that died reached the age of 21, far short of their natural lifespan.

It is difficult to determine why such a high percentage of captive-born elephants die at birth, shortly after, or at a relatively young age. Many factors may contribute to reduced longevity and the failure of U.S. breeding programs, with captivity itself likely playing a significant role.

Bo is the only castrated, captive-bred elephant living in a U.S. sanctuary. His freedom since arriving at Elephant Refuge North America is a reminder of these broader issues, as only a few captive-born elephants enjoy a peaceful retirement like Bo.

Ramp Up for Bo, Tarra, and Mundi!

One of Bo’s favorite activities is to swim in the lake at the refuge, aptly called Elephant Lake. Currently, the lake entrance consists of soft mud, which can be challenging as elephants attempt to exit after a refreshing swim. As a result, Mundi and Tarra avoid going into the lake and Bo shows signs of discomfort in his hind legs the following day. We want to make exiting the lake easier for all the elephants.

After some research we identified a solution—concrete. By creating a solid concrete ramp, much like a boat ramp, the elephants can walk into and out of the lake without issue, enabling them to take full advantage of this natural enrichment whenever they wish.

As many elephant lovers know, in the wild, elephants enjoy bathing not only to cool off but also, like humans, for the sheer exhilaration that comes from being immersed in water. Their relaxed movements as they glide effortlessly through water and playfully splash to make waves, along with their expressive vocalizations, are all an observer needs to understand just how much elephants enjoy the water.

The process of installing the ramp will take several days and require bulldozers, dump truck loads of gravel, and several concrete trucks. The cost for a concrete ramp is $28,500, and we are excited to get it underway.

We are proud to announce that the DSCW Kennedy Foundation has generously offered to match every donation made, dollar for dollar, until the goal is reached. Now is the chance to see your support dollars doubled to give Bo, Tarra, and Mundi this health-enhancing gift.

The therapeutic benefit of swimming is immeasurable, improving joint and muscle health. With the ramp, Bo can exit effortlessly after a vigorous swim without a struggle that results in sore joints. Mundi and Tarra will have the confidence that after a refreshing swim, exiting the lake will pose no challenge. Creating a way for all three elephants and those who join us in the future to experience the full fun and benefit of the lake is important, and you can help it become a reality.

Please join our effort to give Bo, Tarra, and Mundi a gift that will bring them pleasure and good health for decades to come.

Every dollar you spend will be doubled, bringing us closer to giving the trio their much-needed Elephant Lake ramp.

Give Bo His Best Life: Fun Ways to Show You Care

Join us in making Bo’s third anniversary three times as special! There are plenty of ways to show your support, whether you choose to sponsor him, contribute to his annual care, or grab a commemorative T-shirt.

Sponsor Bo:

For just $75 annually or through a monthly donation, you can sponsor Bo and receive a certificate featuring a photo of him and five fascinating facts.

Bo’s Year of Care:

Help cover Bo’s $145,000 annual care costs, ensuring he gets everything he needs for a happy, healthy life—from food and veterinary care to daily enrichment.

Bo T-Shirts:

Choose between two commemorative T-shirts—one featuring Bo on his own and another with Bo alongside his companions, Mundi and Tarra. Wear your support with pride!

Together, let’s make Bo’s third anniversary truly unforgettable!

Bo Anniversary Video

Please enjoy this video showcasing some of Bo's favorite moments from the past year.

Click the image above to watch!