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PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
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Newsletter | January 2025 | |
Focus on PAWS’ Bull Elephants, Nicholas and Prince | |
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In April 2007, PAWS made history as the first U.S. sanctuary to provide refuge for a male elephant when Nicholas arrived along with Gypsy. These Asian elephants were the last to be relinquished by the Hawthorn Corporation – a company that trained and leased elephants to circuses – as part of a legal agreement with the U.S. government.
Born at Hawthorn’s facility, Nicholas was soon trained to perform unnatural tricks such as riding a tricycle and balancing on a wooden beam. Male elephants grow quickly, soon becoming large, powerful, and difficult to handle. By age five, Nicholas was essentially “warehoused” and left forgotten.
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In 2011, PAWS welcomed a second male Asian elephant, Prince (pictured). He was donated voluntarily to PAWS, on request, by Feld Entertainment, the parent company of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Prince was born at the Oregon Zoo in 1987. At 16 months of age, when elephant calves are still dependent on their mothers, the zoo separated the pair, sending Prince to Ringling Bros. (which today no longer has animal acts).
We don’t know much about Prince’s life in the circus. What we do know is that circuses chain and terrify elephants with sharp-tipped bullhooks, all for the sake of “entertainment."
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Today, life is entirely different for Nicholas (pictured) and Prince at PAWS. Training is based on positive reinforcement, using food rewards and trust to build bonds between caregivers and elephants.
Both elephants enjoy their own expansive enclosures with room to roam, forage, or just relax on a sunny hillside.
Nicholas, who weighs a remarkable 17,100 pounds, is a selective eater who is currently fond of oranges. When his tastes change, caregivers are prepared to offer a variety of fruits and vegetables from which he can select his new favorite.
One of Nicholas’ favored activities is pushing and playing with large tree logs and branches.
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Prince (pictured) takes life at an easy pace, often napping on a gentle slope. Since he has arthritis, this is a good way to relieve pressure on his joints, and sleep is restorative to overall health. Prince adores frozen blueberries, strawberries, and most other fruits.
During foot care or veterinary exams, Prince often communicates with a sweet, high-pitched chirping sound that is very endearing and appears to express that he's enjoying the interaction.
While circuses using elephants are less common in the U.S. today, the exploitation of these highly intelligent and self-aware animals continues.
Beyond circuses, elephants are used for rides at fairs; up-close “encounters” like feeding, bathing, and photo opportunities; and circus-style performances at facilities offering interactions with elephants.
These practices have no connection to genuine elephant conservation, despite the claims of those who profit from them. Instead, they perpetuate the mistreatment of elephants and should always be avoided.
PAWS remains steadfast in our commitment to ending the exploitation of captive elephants in all its forms. We hope you’ll join us in this mission!
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Share the Love on Valentine’s Day:
Adopt an Animal at PAWS
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We can’t think of a better way to show your love on Valentine’s Day than adopting one of more of the animals we care for at PAWS or gifting an adoption to the animal lover in your life.
By adopting an elephant, tiger, bear, monkey, or other wild animal, like tiny muntjac Mojo, you help support their care for an entire year.
Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a meaningful difference in an animal’s life, while providing them with essential care such as wholesome food, dedicated caregiving, and an expansive and more naturally enriching environment.
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Every adoption includes:
· A beautiful color photo of the adopted animal
· Certificate of adoption
· Periodic updates on the animal
Adopt an animal online: Visit our Adopt an Animal page here and follow directions.
Adopt an animal by phone using your credit card: Call our office at (209) 745-2606 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST, Mon. through Fri., and tell us which animal you would like to adopt.
Please note that adoptions are symbolic and do not involve physical custody of the animal. Allow 7 to 10 days to receive adoption packet.
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Happy birthday to beloved African elephant Mara who turned 45 years old this month! Our longest-term resident, Mara has called PAWS home for 35 years. This energetic elephant loves to push on trees, eat leafy branches, and dig holes to create mud wallows and dust-bath areas. Mara spends her time with Thika in their spacious, hilly home at ARK 2000. |
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PAWS Educates Future Veterinarians | |
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Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Jackie Gai (pictured) was an invited speaker at the 7th Annual Zoo, Exotic, and Wildlife Symposium, hosted by the Western University School of Veterinary Medicine. The year’s theme was Animal Welfare in Zoological, Exotic Companion, and Wildlife Medicine.
Dr. Gai's talk covered a variety of topics including PAWS, examining similarities and differences between sanctuary and zoo medicine, caring for captive elephants, welfare issues involving captive wildlife, veterinary advocacy for animal welfare, and concepts supporting mental health of veterinarians in all types of practices but especially those embroiled in ethical conflict.
The symposium was attended by veterinary students and faculty of Western University. Dr. Gai's insightful presentations are always well-received by students, who appreciate learning from her wealth of knowledge gained from 35 years of working with wild animals in captivity.
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THANK YOU!
January Amazon Wish List Donors:
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Valerie M. Smith: one box of Pro Cell AA Batteries, 144#. Anonymous: one box of oranges, 20lbs.
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We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. We have an ongoing need for many of the products listed. Click here to review the items and donate.
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PAWS provides lifetime care to the tigers, bears, elephants, and other animals who call our sanctuary home. Your kind support provides expert daily care, necessary veterinary treatments, and specialized nutritional support, all tailored to the individual needs of each animal. Your gifts make this excellent care possible. | |
There are many ways you can help PAWS animals: | |
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Donate. Although we work closely with regulatory agencies on animal rescues, PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. When you make a contribution for the wild animals at PAWS, it is unlike any other. How many people can say they’ve gifted elephants with spacious rolling hills and a more natural life, or made a present of a lush, tree-filled habitat for a tiger? Or given a bear a new chance at life? And you ensure we are prepared for the next wild animal in dire need of rescue. Three ways to give and every donation matters.
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PAWS is proud of its 4-star rating with Charity Navigator - the highest rating possible. We are part of an elite group of charities with an "exceptional" designation (at least four consecutive years of 4-star ratings), meaning that your gift will have the greatest impact possible. CharityWatch gives PAWS an "A" rating.
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Give to one of PAWS' ongoing MightyCause campaigns: Our "Dollars for Dirt" or "Give BIG for PAWS' Elephants" fundraisers for the elephants, like Prince (pictured), or our "Help Captive Tigers" fundraiser to benefit the rescued tigers living at our ARK 2000 sanctuary.
Adopt A PAWS Animal. If you would like to help our animals, one of the best ways is to become an "adoptive parent," or give a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent! Learn more
PAWS Partnerships. Help us change the life of a victim of captivity by becoming a PAWS Partner. PAWS partnerships help support our sanctuary operations and the day-to-day care of the animals. Learn more
Estates/Planned Giving. You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have PAWS' sanctuary to call home! Learn more
Corporate Donations and Matching Fund Programs. Learn more about what is needed.
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Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise. Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like notecards and coffee mugs - available from our CafePress online gift shop.
PAWS Amazon Wish List. We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. Many items are ongoing. The list is always current! View here.
EBAY Giving Works. Visit PAWS eBay page to view our current listings and to bid. List your items on EBAY and choose PAWS as your charity. Donate a percentage of each sale to the animals. Visit our EBAY charity listing page here. Start selling or buying!
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Shop online through IGive and raise money for PAWS! Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS. Learn more
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