Message from The Founder and President |
This year animal welfare groups saw their efforts to educate policy makers and the public about the lives of captive-held elephants pay off. Animal advocates and concerned citizens kept up the pressure on circuses, zoos and other operations that exhibit elephants to improve their living conditions or retire their elephants to accredited sanctuaries. And, in a decision that may have delivered the final blow to a dying industry, Ringling Brothers owner and CEO Kenneth Feld, closed his show for good. Some of the pressure came from the increasing number of cities and states that have banned performing wild animals and the tools used to control them. This does not mean an end to the circus; more accurately it signals a transition from traveling wild animal shows to permanently located entertainment venues using elephants and other animals. In essence, it’s a return to roadside attractions, which may allow for greater oversight than traveling venues. Wild animal refuges, modeled on a true sanctuary philosophy, continue to gain popularity and understanding. EAI’s contribution to the next generation of elephant sanctuaries, Elephant Refuge North America, has been received with resounding enthusiasm. We look forward to broadening and deepening the body of knowledge that will elevate the bar for captive-held elephant welfare. |
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Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) |
EAI’s purchase of 850 acres of land for Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) in Attapulgus, Georgia, took place on December 14, 2016. First order of business was to clear the land of debris that had accumulated after decades of commercial agricultural use. An army of volunteers cleaned up graveyards of discarded appliances and tractor parts, tons of twisted shade tobacco drying rake wire and piles of rusting sheet metal; dismantled miles of cow fencing; removed strands of barbed wire embedded overgrown forested areas; and cleared brush in preparation for construction of fences and the new quarantine barn. We began construction on those fences — actually, a double fence system, each 30,000 feet long – at the beginning of the year. The 8-foot-high perimeter fence will keep unwanted visitors out and the internal fence will safely contain the elephants. Construction of the perimeter fence lasted from January to July; we began the elephant fence in May. In April, Scott Pittman, founder of the Permaculture Institute in New Mexico, visited ERNA to advise us on sustainable design and management of our forests and pastures. Also in April we began construction of the quarantine barn. It’s designed to provide a sense of familiarity and security for newly arrived elephants, supporting their rehabilitation process. Later we’ll build a second, larger barn to accommodate a greater number of compatible elephants and provide shelter during the rare instances of inclement weather. And in September, soil testing by Red Oak Environmental at both sites confirmed that the earth will provide excellent percolation (allowing liquids to filter through) for the barns’ sand stalls, ensuring a hygienic alternative to concrete. |
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Georgia Welcomes ERNA |
South Georgia has welcomed ERNA with enthusiasm, interest and open arms. Two Saturdays a month we invited the community to explore our future elephant wonderland by volunteering. Regardless of the weather, volunteers from all over the South helped dismantle miles of old cow fencing and remove years of discarded metal debris scattered throughout the habitat. Their efforts paid off: ERNA’s habitat is ready for elephants! In June, Carol Buckley accepted an invitation to travel to Atlanta to speak with former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes about our plans for ERNA. In September, Carol made three presentations to the Decatur County – Gilbert H. Gragg Library and one to a Bainbridge Rotary Club luncheon. And in December we held an Elephant Talk Fire Circle, as a show of gratitude for the community’s involvement and support. Volunteers stockpiled a huge pile of wood, which was ignited by a skilled fire maker. Our neighbors honored the fire circle with Native American music and shared personal stories about elephants. We are thankful for the community’s ongoing interest and support and look forward to getting to know our neighbors better. |
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ERNA’s First Resident: Mundi |
In August, the government of Puerto Rico contacted Carol to ask if ERNA would accept Mundi, a 34-year-old elephant who lives at the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayagüez, as its first resident. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló ordered her retirement to bring the zoo into compliance with Puerto Rico’s law #154, which protects the rights and welfare of animals. In October, after Hurricane Maria, Carol traveled to Puerto Rico to meet Mundi and her caregivers. Although many trees were down, blocking pathways throughout the zoo, Mundi’s shelter is a concrete fortress designed to withstand a hurricane and she weathered the storm without incident. Carol was pleased to find Mundi in excellent physical and psychological health. In November we completed construction on Mundi’s 100-acre natural-habitat corral, complete with forest, pastures and a pond. |
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UNCHAINED on The Festival Circuit |
The documentary about EAI’s work in Asia, “UNCHAINED,” made the festival circuit this year. It won the 2017 Animal Award at the Cinema Verde International Environmental Film Festival in Gainesville, Florida, and the Golden Sun Award at the Barcelona International Environmental Film Festival. Carol traveled to Barcelona to accept the award along with filmmaker Alex Rivera. The film also screened at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, CA, the Enfoque International Film Festival in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and several movie houses and libraries across the US. |
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Nepal |
EAI’s work in Nepal continues to receive positive media attention. National Geographic selected Tiger Tops Elephant Camp, Nepal’s leading eco-tourism resort, as a top 10 luxury camping experience. Tiger Tops commissioned Carol to design and install chain-free corrals for all its elephants and redesign its tourist offerings, replacing elephant back safaris with walking safaris. Carol also consulted with the owners of several high-end resorts along the boundary of Chitwan National Park who were interested in creating chain-free corrals for their elephants and learning about alternatives to elephant riding. Unfortunately, the annual monsoons in August damaged many of the 63 chain-free corrals EAI constructed for government-owned elephants who live and work in Chitwan National Park. Every step back is a lesson learned. EAI continues to work with Nepal’s National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department to address the challenges monsoons cause for our chain-free project. |
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Consulting |
Carol was enlisted to review video footage of alleged abuse of elephants at the Hannover Adventure Zoo in Germany for PETA Germany. “The elephants are petrified,” she noted. “The trainers’ actions are vile and heartless.” In her review, Carol concluded that the elephants had been suffering from learned helplessness due to the frequent, painful physical punishment and daily emotional stress. Prosecutors declined to press charges but the zoo began rebuilding its enclosures to allow for the use of protected contact. |
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Media |
EAI received considerable regional coverage of ERNA construction progress. The announcement that Mundi will be ERNA’s first resident brought even more coverage, including a story in USA Today. Two Georgia Public Broadcasting programs, “Georgia Outdoors” and “Local Routes,” visited ERNA to produce short stories. Both promise to expand the stories into full-length shows once Mundi arrives. Carol did a Facebook live session following a PBS Nature program, “Naledi: One Little Elephant,” which documented the rescue of a calf in Africa. Also, Freemalaysiatoday.com quoted Carol on the plight of an Asian elephant bull named Lasah who is used in tourism. Malaysian NGO Friends of the Orangutan initiated a campaign to have Lasah released to sanctuary. |
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Notable Donors |
We would like to acknowledge in particular several donors who have made significant contributions to our work this year.
View a list of all supporters who made gifts or provided services during 2017. |
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Summary of Financial Activity 2017 |
Breakdown of Expenses & Losses |
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Download a PDF of the 2017 Annual Report. |