Summer is here and with it comes deer flies, hotter temps, lush pastures, and a deepening relationship between Tarra, Bo, Mala and their caregivers. It has been a joyful challenge to experience the changing of the season with these two elephants. 

Bo and Tarra have completely different life experiences when it comes to adapting to our wonderfully wild world. After decades of living in nature, Tarra has vast knowledge and skills. She embraces her independence and natural problem-solving abilities to enhance her quality of life. As a pampered performer, Bo’s past reinforced the belief that he had to rely on humans. Now, in his retirement, Bo is learning what autonomy is and how he can satisfy any need and solve any challenge placed before him. 

Bo is a dear, soft, sweet male, non-aggressive, yet with a strong sense of self. Like Tarra, he acts as if he believes all people are good. This positive perspective about humans is a plus for caregivers whose job is to ensure our facilities are equipped to assure elephants can meet their every need. 

With Tarra as his guide, Bo has found he doesn’t have to vocalize when he’s thirsty, waiting for someone to provide water. He can simply walk to one of the nearest water troughs to quench his thirst, and cool himself by splashing water over his body from the constantly refilling container until he is completely refreshed. Admittedly, Bo still enjoys the special attention he gets when a caregiver pampers him with a shower from the garden hose. He drinks, plays and soaks himself (and others!) exhibiting his playful nature. This is a special time when caregiver and elephant can deepen their relationship and trust.

Tarra is calm, easy, always vocal and physically engaging, especially when Mala comes around. Bo continues to approach Tarra in his soft respectful manner, and we now see Tarra being drawn to Bo as well. She follows him and can be found standing side by side with him under the shade trees in mid-afternoon. He gently leans in, and she responds without hesitation or concern, just two individuals sharing their affection for each other.

With each passing day we see Bo realizing the freedom of choice he now has. The grass is always greener in the next pasture, past the next tree line, through a distant grove of dense forest. He is now more in tune with his internal drives and guides because he doesn’t have to depend on anyone else to satisfy his hunger, thirst, or need to cool his body. He doesn’t have to wait for someone to provide these things for him. It has taken some time, but Bo now realizes he lives in an environment where he can meet all of those needs himself, autonomy in action. 

The friendship between Bo and Tarra, and Mala of course, has grown to the point of perfect comfort with each other. They are empowered inside their retirement home, knowing they are cared for, yet independent. They are thriving.

Since Bo and Tarra have shifted from the 100-acre area to the 750-acre habitat, they have explored new bamboo groves, open pastures, Elephant Lake, and many spring fed streams. We try to keep our supporters updated with regular video posts on Facebook, but it’s no match for the continual live stream we can get from the EleCam system. Unfortunately, the larger habitat is not equipped with the cameras and internet connection that make the EleCam live stream possible.

So we can keep watching, learning and providing the best care for our elephant residents, we're raising $30,000 to expand the EleCam system throughout Elephant Refuge North America's (ERNA) entire 850-acres. Funds will be used to support installation of a reliable communication system consisting of field cameras powered by fiber optic cable and wifi connectivity.

Thank you to everyone who has given to the EleCam Expansion campaign and to our generous supporter, Stephen Van Woert, who is matching all donations until we reach our $30,000 goal. You have helped us raise over $10,000 in just one month. 

Let’s keep the momentum going so we can get back to watching Bo and Tarra (and Mala) unobtrusively as they go about their daily lives. Please join this effort now to double your impact. We appreciate your support.

Essentially, to be emotionally bonded means “you feel securely attached or connected to another whom you know cares for you.” Humans have an innate need for this kind of bond, first with our parents (or primary caregiver) when we are young, and later, as adults. So how does bonding apply to elephants, specifically those who are separated from their mother and family at a very young age, brought into captivity, and raised by humans? 

It would make sense that an elephant calf in a captive situation, who does not have access to other elephants, would bond with any species who makes them feel safe. This would explain why some captive raised elephants bond with their human caregivers and family pets. 

Bo was captive born into a herd of elephants. He was the pampered baby cherished by all. Raised in a healthy matriarchal environment, Bo learned how to relate to other elephants in a positive way. His healthy emotional state of well-being has worked wonders on Tarra. 

After only a few short months at Elephant Refuge North America, Tarra and Bo can be found enjoying each other’s company, continually. How did this happen? It’s simple. When Bo and Tarra met, he immediately wanted to interact physically with her, reaching out with his trunk to touch her face and body. Tarra was not receptive, and Bo seemed to realize she was fearful of him. He softened his behavior and would initiate physical contact in limited increments, measuring Tarra’s response, which at first was avoidance. Instead of pushing himself on her, Bo was patient and respectful, as his mother and aunties had taught him. Within a short amount of time Tarra began to be more accepting of his advances and trusted his intent. His gentle persistence and pachyderm savvy paid off with Tarra finally realizing Bo was a friend. 

Now they are securely attached and connected. Bonded.  

Ever since we bought land in Attapulgus, Georgia to establish Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA), we have experienced an outpouring of enthusiasm from people in and around the area. Last month, our volunteers created a committee to do outreach by setting up an EAI booth at local events to meet more members of the community, and of course, talk about our elephants!

Rosanne Gervasi, our Booth Committee Chair, told us, “What I enjoy most about doing the booths is the opportunity to share the good news that there are two beautiful, retired elephants in our midst who have been given the great, well-deserved fortune of living out their days just being elephants. It is heartwarming to meet people who want to help by donating or volunteering. The booths are important for raising awareness about the Refuge, and what EAI does to help elephants internationally. So much of the information we digest these days is in electronic form so it is rewarding to connect with people face-to-face about the importance of supporting EAI.”

We expect to have booths in southern Georgia and northern Florida such as Bainbridge, Havana, Tallahassee, and possibly Thomasville, Quincy, and along Florida's Forgotten Coast (Carrabelle, St. George Island, Apalachicola area).

Be sure to stop by and say hello if you see our booth! We are proud to belong to such an outgoing community full of people who want to make a difference. 

Elephant Aid International | elephantaidinternational.org