We write this monthly elephant update for you to experience elephants in a natural environment. By giving you access to the elephants' lives we hope to help you understand why habitats like Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA), coupled with a philosophy of individual care, are the essential foundation for the wellbeing of all captive-held elephants.

As our supporters discovered almost daily via our candid videos, photographs, and first-hand accounts on social media, this past month’s fun, discovery and recovery has exceeded all that has come before. The elephants have made more friends, had new experiences, and developed improved confidences. Bo and Tarra are seriously content.

Cheerful photos make us feel good. Stories with a happy ending stimulate a sense of relief and offer us hope. Elephants moved to sanctuary settings demonstrate a willingness to improve their lives. Our goal is to expand your access into our refuge to enable you to witness rehabilitation and improved welfare. Once our Elecam Expansion Project is complete, you will have a continual window into Bo and Tarra’s world!

Finding Tarra in the habitat is an exciting adventure. Fresh footprints in the grass, grazed areas, excavated dirt used for dusting, and disturbed areas made into sleeping beds are all fairly easy to identify once you know what you’re looking for. The exhilarating search culminates with Tarra being sighted calmly grazing in a clearing or napping under the shade of one of the endless number of trees.

This month it seems the elephants became magnets for new retirees: wild, domestic and feral.

Samie, a young, hungry, long-legged pup was rescued several weeks ago. He surprised us all by melting right into the family. Within an hour of his arrival, he walked right up to Bo and Tarra, plopped down in the grass and gazed up at them with calm curiosity. Bo saw him, but paid him no mind. Tarra on the other hand could hardly contain her excitement, while Samie was unfazed by her enthusiasm.

Next came the egret, snowy white and unafraid of Bo. They have been constant companions for several weeks. Mr. Egret collects grasshoppers displaced by Bo’s grazing activity. Bo is unconcerned by the presence of this bird who stands close by, unafraid of his enormous size.

And lastly, Kitty, a young pregnant stray, who came right up onto the porch and into the house to deliver four premature babies. Although the babies did not survive, Kitty did. Unfortunately she did not appreciate dogs, so we are glad she found a new loving home with one of our staff.

There you have it, life at the Refuge—always interesting, always filled with adventure and never a dull moment!

Eating well is good for everyone! The natural habitat at Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) provides unlimited amounts of live vegetation including a wide variety of grasses, bamboo, tree branches and vines, all edible, all naturally nutritious.

To ensure Bo and Tarra’s high fiber diets are balanced, we supplement their meals with Mazuri Elephant Supplement—a pelleted food that provides proper intake of essential vitamins and minerals for a roughage-based diet. One 50 pound bag costs $40 and lasts about five days.

Please help us give Tarra and Bo the very best nutrition with a Mazuri donation. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us take care of the magnificent elephant residents under our care.

The Animals and Planet Club from Concord, MA Middle School recently hosted a virtual silent auction. Elephant Aid International was honored to be one of their two chosen charities. Auction items ranged from handmade art and jewelry to food and home decor with some of the pieces created by students and staff. Local businesses also donated products to the cause. The club raised over $725 plus donations from students and parents!

In a learning and giving experience, members of the club were taught about animals and wildlife and then planned projects such as the auction to support nonprofits working to improve our natural world.

But their involvement didn’t stop there. To gain more understanding of environmental issues, this dynamic group of kids also participated in virtual tours and Zoom meetings, such as a video chat with EAI’s founder/CEO Carol Buckley and a virtual tour of Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA).

Many thanks to this industrious group of students and their co-advisors Barbara Peskin and Elizabeth Stockwood who act on their care and concern for their community and far beyond. Not only do they raise funds for wildlife and the environment, they also raise awareness. Bravo!

Visit EAI’s virtual Learning Center for ideas on how students can help elephants and click the “Make a Difference” tab.

August is National Make-A-Will Month: a month dedicated to thinking about the future and how you can protect it. Why estate planning? No matter what your “estate” includes, everyone needs a plan, but 2⁄3 of Americans don’t have a will.

Estate planning is an essential task, and Elephant Aid International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, invites you to consider leaving a legacy for the retired elephants at Elephant Refuge North America and to assist with EAI’s international projects to benefit elephants in Asia. One world...one elephant at a time.

For more information please visit: https://elephantaidinternational.org/support/#planned

We would like to show our appreciation for your continued interest with an early premiere video special for our subscribers. Click the image above to watch!

Elephant Aid International | elephantaidinternational.org