Ele Update — Zest for Life!
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Tarra and Bo continue to demonstrate a zest for life and a mutual desire to be together. Words cannot describe their emotional growth, health improvements, and deepening relationship. Until our EleCam expansion is complete, the best way for us to convey their remarkable progress is through video and photos which we post daily on our Facebook page.
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Click the image above to watch Tarra and Bo sharing lunch
Chronicling Tarra’s attraction to both Bo and Mala, and Bo’s reciprocated friendship with both, confirms Tarra’s desires and the benefits of her moving to Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA). Bo has been a blessing, so patient, receptive, and interested in Tarra. His willingness to give her the time and space to grow comfortable with him has paid off tenfold. Each day we are treated to heartwarming scenes of Bo and Tarra in the habitat, grazing, walking side by side, and sharing intimate exchanges with Tarra leaning into Bo as he rubs against her and gently explores her face with his trunk. Their comfort with each other is obvious and a joy to behold.
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Bo continues to receive laser therapy treatment on his bowed leg to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. It is unclear if he was born with this condition. He doesn’t display obvious signs of discomfort, but we know from his posture and activity that he guards the leg.
The other day Bo gifted us with the most surprising communication, something “so Bo” as we have come to call his endearing actions. When he was ready for his laser therapy treatment to stop, he calmly reached over, and with the tip of his trunk, very gently pinched the operator on the arm. None of us had ever experienced an elephant pinch and had never heard an account of such a thing. It took a second for the operator to mentally register the precise direction from Bo and say, “Oh, he just pinched me. I guess he wants to stop the treatment.” We burst into laughter because of how tenderly Bo conveyed his desire. A tiny pinch from an enormous animal--it took our breath away, and of course, we honored his request.
With each passing day we are blessed to be in the presence of such intelligent and expressive beings. By extension we hope you feel the same.
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Celebrate World Elephant Day and Help Us Cross the Campaign Finish Line! |
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To commemorate World Elephant Day – August 12, 2022 – please help us continue to provide a great learning experience watching our elephants living free in a natural habitat by donating to our EleCam Expansion Campaign.
World Elephant Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the numerous issues elephants face, including the hardships of captivity. Watching the elephants at Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) live instinctively and develop healthy bonds with caregivers and each other helps us understand why confined-space captivity is traumatic.
Our EleCam system lets us watch Bo and Tarra (and Mala) unobtrusively as they go about their day. Now we just need to make the last fundraising push to equip the 850-acre habitat with the cameras, fiber optics and internet connection that make the live stream possible.
We’re 75% of the way to our goal!
Thanks to our amazing supporters, and special thanks to Stephen Van Woert who contributed $11,500 to the EleCam Expansion Campaign, we have raised $22,880 toward our goal of $30,000. Please contribute to this campaign as a wonderful way to commemorate World Elephant Day, whether by donating $5 or $50 or more, and help us raise the last $7,120.
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Join the effort and let your friends know they can contribute to this valuable educational tool along with the #WorldElephantDay hashtag to help us spread the word! Thank you for your time and support! |
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Review of book Tipu, Sultan of the Siwaliks: A Wildlife Adventure by Amirtharaj Christy Williams
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This superbly written personal account of time spent monitoring and learning about wild elephants in India provides the reader with valuable insights into both elephant and human behavior. This authentic account of a young man’s efforts to protect this species that we all hold so dear is a must-read.
Christy discovered a deep yearning to understand his study animals, being drawn to protect them. His concern and dedication for elephants spans decades. Early on in his career Christy connected with Elephant Aid International’s founder Carol Buckley. We have had the honor to observe firsthand his life’s devotion to wild elephants. Christy serves on the Board of EAI, sharing his well-earned wisdom and mutual admiration of all elephants.
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Produce Donations — Sharing is Caring |
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Fruits and vegetables play an important role in an elephant’s diet. Thanks to several of our local Publix supermarkets, Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) receives hundreds of pounds of produce donations each week for Tarra and Bo!
Much of a retailer’s produce is packaged, such as grapes, berries, lettuce, cucumbers, bags of apples or oranges, so they must dispose of it by the specified “sell by” date, even though the products are still good. Instead of discarding wholesome food, these stores donate it to the refuge.
Three times a week, four of our amazing volunteers pick up and sort the bundles of fruits and vegetables by category, and then store them in our cooler. They also collect fresh produce from two local nonprofits, St. Francis Wildlife Association and the Tallahassee Museum, who receive produce donations from Costco and share their surplus with us. A local homeless shelter also benefits since our volunteers donate our surplus produce to them.
A bonus to this sharing system is the reduction of waste which would otherwise end up decomposing in a landfill creating environmentally harmful methane. Instead, working together we have a community network aiding captive-held wildlife, people who need fresh food, and our planet. This kind of cooperation between commercial business and nonprofits truly can make the world a better place.
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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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