PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.

Since 1984

October 2018 | Newsletter

Thika. left, has bonded with Mara and can be seen following her around like an enthusiastic little sister.

Celebrating Toka and Thika's

Five-Year Anniversary at PAWS! 

Five years ago this month, African elephants Toka, Thika and Iringa arrived at ARK 2000 from the Toronto Zoo. The Toronto City Council voted to relocate the elephants to PAWS after the zoo decided to end its elephant program. It seems like only yesterday that we eagerly awaited the specially outfitted semi-trucks carrying them to ARK 2000. We vividly recall the excitement their arrival stirred in the elephant barn, as Maggie, Mara and Lulu rumbled and trumpeted their welcome (watch the video and read comments by Dr. Joyce Poole of ElephantVoices below). Sadly, Iringa was humanely euthanized in July 2015 following a long history of degenerative joint and foot disease, the leading reasons for euthanizing elephants in captivity. At the time of her death, Iringa was the longest-surviving Toronto elephant.

At age 48, Toka is the older of the two elephants. She’s easy to identify with her long tusks. Toka was only four years old when she arrived in Toronto, having been captured in Mozambique. She likely lost her mother and family members in a government cull. We can never give back all that Toka has tragically lost, but we can give her a life that is far more natural: open spaces, the companionship of other elephants, and the freedom to choose her activities (as much as is possible in a captive environment).

 

Toka particularly enjoys a good mud bath. In fact, she and the other elephants are fond of digging their own mud holes and there are quite a few of them in the habitats! Toka can be found splashing, rolling and coating herself in the slippery soil, an activity that provides both protection for her skin and some fun. She has found lifelong companions in Maggie and Lulu and is never far from them as the group moves through their rich habitat.

 

Thika was born at the Toronto Zoo in 1980 (October is her birthday month) to mother Tequila and father Tantor. Sadly, Tequila rejected Thika shortly after birth, a situation that is not uncommon in zoos. We can sense that this experience deeply affected her and believe that Thika’s new life at PAWS may help her heal from that difficult beginning. Since she only knew life in a zoo before coming to PAWS, it was exciting to introduce Thika into a spacious and natural environment where she could freely roam, explore, and forage on fresh vegetation – though it may have taken a bit more time for her to ease into these innate behaviors.

 

Thika has bonded with Mara and can be seen following her around like an enthusiastic little sister. Together they traverse a dynamic habitat with rolling, oak tree studded hills and different areas, smells and sights to investigate. Thika is the tallest of the elephants, notable for her long legs. She is the only captive born African elephant at PAWS.

Toka and Maggie at ARK 2000.

Some of our supporters have wondered why these two elephants are not living together. As we reported in our June 2018 newsletter, despite being highly social animals, not all elephants get along. This is the case with Thika and Toka. Unfortunately, the two elephants had a history of incompatibility at the Toronto Zoo, which persisted when they came to the sanctuary. Our first priority is always the health and well-being of the animals, and, in this case, creating two separate groups was the kindest thing to do. Today, everyone is relaxed and able to just be the elephants they are, doing what elephants like to do – as it should be.

 

You can adopt Thika or Toka, or any of the elephants at PAWS, for a year by clicking  here . Your adoption provides the animals with a full range of care, including plenty of TLC!

Toka was the first of the Toronto elephants to enter PAWS' African barn.

We hope you'll enjoy reading this article, originally published in PAWS' October 2013 newsletter, by esteemed elephant research scientist Dr. Joyce Poole of ElephantVoices. Dr. Poole has studied African elephants in the wild for more than 40 years. Click on the video at the end of the article to watch and listen as elephants Mara, Maggie and Lulu greet Toka.

Toka Enters PAWS' African Barn

To An Elephantine Greeting

  By Joyce Poole, Ph.D., ElephantVoices

 

October 27, 2013 - PAWS president, Ed Stewart, asked for my comments on the PAWS video posted on YouTube entitled, "The Toronto Elephants: Arrival Day, Part 2, The Greeting" ( watch below ). It is not surprising to me that some people have interpreted the PAWS elephants as being aggressive and Toka as being frightened. Elephants are very emotional, expressive animals and they become easily excited by social events. The deep, throaty rumbles and roars that elephants produce during intensely social interactions can sound like a pride of lions roaring. They can also be intimidating, even feel threatening, if you haven't had the chance to experience them in a natural setting in the wild.

 

At  ElephantVoices  we have studied elephant social behavior and communication for decades and have put together online databases of their vocal signals and their postures and gestures so that other people can understand elephants better. I have gone through the video and written a brief comment about what I see and hear. All vocalizations and behaviors in italics or in bold can be found in ElephantVoices' fully searchable online databases:  Calls Database  and  Gestures Database .

* * * 

Click here  to read Dr. Poole's "play-by-play" explanations of the communications and behaviors in the video below.  We suggest you print the PDF file before you watch the video, then follow along as she describes the elephants' reactions - trumpet by trumpet, rumble by rumble. We think you'll find it as fascinating and as educational as we did. 

The Importance of True Sanctuary

By Catherine Doyle,

PAWS Director of Science, Research and Advocacy  

I recently heard about a comment made by a zoo employee, who said that PAWS’ ARK 2000 sanctuary is “just a bigger zoo.” My immediate response was: How superficial! That person really doesn’t understand what a sanctuary is all about. Obviously, space is important, especially when you’re caring for the planet’s largest land mammal. Elephants need room to move and stay healthy. But there are many factors that distinguish PAWS from other captive institutions.

Animals come first

We are here to serve the wild animals in our care; their welfare is our primary concern. PAWS holds the highest standards of care for the animals, provided by a dedicated caregiver staff and veterinary team. The animals are cared for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and treated with the respect they deserve.

 

Different role of confinement 

At ARK 2000 we use confinement to protect and better serve the animals, rather than control and display them for human amusement. PAWS openly acknowledges that even the greatly improved conditions we provide are still not enough to meet the needs of wild animals. As PAWS President Ed Stewart has said, "The only “state of the art” place for elephants, bears, big cats and other animals is the wild."

 

Safe haven for life

A true captive wildlife sanctuary does not breed, buy, trade, sell or otherwise exploit animals. The animals who come to ARK 2000 will remain in our care for the rest of their lives. Important social bonds are respected and will remain undisturbed.

 

Focus on the individual

Our animals do not perform, and the public is never in direct contact with them – no selfies, feeding, or other so-called “educational” encounters. PAWS' focus is on the individual for the sake of that animal only. They are not ambassadors for their species nor are they on display to send a message. If there is any message, it is that the situations these animals were rescued from, and the abuse and deprivations some of them suffered, should not be allowed to exist.

Dynamic spaces

Larger spaces allow for more environmental complexity and more choice for the animals, whether it is engaging in self-directed activities or choosing to be closer to or farther from companions. At ARK 2000 the animals are immersed in complex natural areas that change with the seasons, effecting different behavioral opportunities and sensory experiences.

Quiet of nature

A large, natural habitat sanctuary offers subtle benefits: the quiet of living in nature, more intrusion-free lives, the relaxation that comes from no longer being exposed to the pressures of close confinement and social stress, privacy, and expanded visual, auditory and olfactory experiences.

 

Emphasis on rehabilitation

PAWS strives to help elephants be elephants, tigers be tigers, and bears be bears. Natural environments filled with grass, shady trees, bushes and lakes allow the animals to actively engage in instinctive behaviors such as foraging, swimming, exploring, climbing, socializing, or simply napping in the sun. Our patient and caring staff is there to support the animals and enable their remarkable transformation to the vibrant and thriving animals they are today.

View of captivity

PAWS seeks to create a deeper understanding of the problematic nature of captivity for wild animals and works to end the systems of abuse and exploitation that have created the need for sanctuaries to begin with. Captivity is not normal and we should not idealize it, even with the best of conditions. Wild animals belong in the wild, protected and respected.

 

As you can see, PAWS is much, much more than just a “bigger zoo.” It is a place that offers a new lease on life for the elephants, big cats, bears and other wild animals currently in our care – and those yet to come. It is also a place where each animal is respected as an individual with her or his own inherent value, and whose welfare and needs will always come first. 

Last Chance to Attend PAWS 2018 International Captive Wildlife Conference!

 Registration Closes October 31st

Time is running out! Register for the PAWS 2018 International Captive Wildlife Conference, November 9-11 in Burbank, California, featuring nearly 50 outstanding speakers from 15 countries discussing the captivity of big cats, elephants, bears and marine mammals and actions to end their exploitation.

Attend one day, two days or all three. Registration includes plant-based lunch and snacks each day. Student discount available.

Click on the button below for information, program, speaker bios and registration.

Don’t miss this unique and inspiring conference!

Many thanks to our conference sponsors: David Reuben, The Humane Society of the United States, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Alyne Fortgang, In Defense of Animals, PETA Foundation, Tigers in America. 

Program and speakers are subject to change.

ARK 2000 Holiday Open House

December 8th

Tickets Now On Sale

 

We have a limited number of tickets available for our ARK 2000 Holiday Open House to be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults, $35 for seniors (65 and over) and $35 for children age 12 and under. If you're planning to attend, we advise you to purchase your tickets early. No tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event.

 

Visitors to the ARK 2000 Holiday Open House will board shuttles to the bear, lion, tiger, leopard and elephant habitats. Once you exit the shuttle you will be walking on grass, dirt, gravel, and sometimes paved surfaces, so please wear comfortable shoes. PAWS management, keepers and volunteers will be on hand to tell you about the animals and answer questions. A gift shop will be available on the day of the event. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards.

 

If you would like to bring a holiday gift for the animals, we suggest any of the following favorites: apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, squash, pumpkins, melons, pears, unsalted peanuts in the shell, fresh mint leaves and fresh rosemary. You may drop off your gift by the front gate, or near the gift shop table when you arrive, or as you're leaving. Thank you!

 

This event happens rain or shine. Tickets are not refundable.

 

Two ways to purchase: Click on the button below to buy online and print your tickets at home; or call 209-745-2606, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, to charge by phone. Visit our calendar of events page for more information. Ticket sales close on Thursday, December 6, 2018, or earlier if this event sells out.

PLEASE READ: Folding wheelchairs and strollers may be taken on most shuttles. Special arrangements for visitors with power scooters and power wheelchairs can be made by calling Kim Gardner at 916-539-5305. Yes, you may bring your cameras but  no drones are allowed. There is no smoking on any PAWS property, including in our parking lots. We take fire prevention very seriously every day of the year. No pets are allowed on any PAWS property, including in our parking lots. Please leave your pets at home. You will not touch any animals and all visitors will be required to stay a safe distance away from all animals.

Thank You October

Amazon Wish List Donors

Patricia Connelly: one box 42 gal. trash bags; two 8 oz. bottles of EicosaDerm. Caroline Kane: two bottles Renal Essentials, 60#; one bottle Azodyl, 90#. Nina Dillingham: two 32 oz. bottles of EicosaDerm. Dan Brinkman: one 10 lb. tub of Psyllium. Amanda Swann: one 12.5 lb. bag of popcorn. Cristen Esquibel: one Probiocin; one sprinkler head; one sprinkler nozzle, one box 33 gal. trash bags. Lisa Stelow: one bag of peanuts. Lori Swenson: one Probiocin; one pkg. AAA batteries, 60#. Cynthia Smith: one 10 lb. tub of Psyllium. Carole Bognar: three Prociocin. Jennifer Clarke: one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one box of 42 gal. trash bags; one 12.5 lb. bag of popcorn. Alison A. Engell: one bottle of Azodyl, 90#. Kim Simm: one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium. Anonymous Donors: one sprinkler head; two 8 oz. bottles of EicosaDerm; one 32 oz. bottle EicosaDerm; one 12.5 lb. bag of popcorn.



Click on PAWS' "wish list" links below to

donate specific items that are needed at our sanctuaries:

PAWS' Amazon Wish List

View "wish list" items that are needed,

but not listed on the Amazon list,  here .



There are many ways you can help PAWS animals:

PAWS provides lifetime care to the tigers, bears, elephants, and other animals that call our sanctuaries home. As animals age, their needs change and they may develop arthritis, kidney disease, and other conditions that are readily treatable with proper care. PAWS expert animal care and veterinary staff provide specialized nutritional and medical support, tailored to the individual needs of each animal.

Your generous donations make this excellent care possible.

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