Meet Bo!
bo's journey
Bo is a male Asian elephant born in captivity on January 22, 1987, at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. His parents, Vance and Sue, were part of a breeding program managed by Roman Schmidt, who owned a small herd of elephants used for exhibition and entertainment.
At just one year old, Bo’s life took a turn when he was sold to Cheryl Shawver of Animal Actors of Hollywood, an entertainment company that used animals for film and television. Like many male elephants raised in captivity, Bo began to display natural signs of maturing early on—gaining size, strength, and assertiveness. By the age of five, he became increasingly difficult to manage in a traditional free-contact environment and was subsequently sold to George Carden, a circus owner with decades of experience working with elephants.
Understanding the challenges that unneutered male elephants face in captivity—including aggression, limited socialization opportunities, and a high likelihood of isolation—George Carden made a bold and compassionate decision. He chose to have Bo surgically castrated. While rare and extremely invasive, surgical castration can improve the long-term welfare and manageability of male elephants in captive environments. The procedure required an extended period of aftercare, during which George personally tended to Bo’s healing wounds on a daily basis. This intense period of care not only supported Bo’s full recovery but also forged a deep and lasting bond between the two.
Following his recovery, Bo continued life in the circus, living and traveling with a close-knit group of middle-aged female elephants. As the youngest member of the herd, he was doted on by his older companions, who helped shape his social behavior. Over 29 years, Bo performed with these elephants across the country, developing strong emotional connections and maintaining a consistent routine that, while limited, gave him some semblance of familiarity and community.
In 2021, at the age of 34 and in the prime of his life, Bo’s fate could have followed the unfortunate path of many captive male elephants: isolation, behavioral decline, and limited opportunity for social interaction. Instead, George Carden made an extraordinary choice. He decided to retire Bo—not because he had to, but because he believed it was the right thing to do.
“Bo is family to me,” George said. “He deserves to retire to a beautiful place designed to give him a good life. I want him to have the best, which is why I chose the Refuge.”
That fall, Bo arrived at Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA), a sanctuary designed to provide formerly captive elephants with the space, freedom, and care they need to recover and thrive. Bo embraced retirement immediately. Within just two weeks of acclimating in a spacious 7-acre yard, he was released into the Refuge’s first 100-acre habitat. He began exploring its wide-open pastures and shaded forests with curiosity and confidence, displaying behaviors more aligned with wild elephants—grazing, dust bathing, napping under trees, and roaming at will.
Today, Bo shares his life at ERNA with two other elephants, Tarra and Mundi. The trio has formed a peaceful, trusting companionship that reinforces the benefits of social living for elephants. Mundi and Tarra offer Bo the kind of emotional support and interaction that captive male elephants so rarely experience.
Bo’s health has improved significantly since arriving at ERNA, both physically and emotionally. His use of the 850-acre natural habitat, freedom of movement, and the relationships he’s built with his companions demonstrate the success of the Refuge’s core philosophy: understanding each elephant as an individual and meeting their unique needs through respect, autonomy, and compassion.
Bo’s story is not only one of survival but of transformation, and it is a powerful reminder of what is possible when we prioritize an elephant’s wellbeing over profit or tradition.
Sponsor Bo
If Bo holds a special place in your heart, consider becoming his sponsor. You can choose an annual sponsorship of $75 or sponsor Bo every month of the year with a recurring donation of your choice (just click monthly and select the amount).
You'll receive a sponsorship certificate of Bo delivered via eco-friendly email. With your support, we can continue to give Bo his best life ever.
Are you a member of the press? Please visit our media page.
Vitals
Bo is 10'6" tall, weighs 12,000 pounds, and the circumference of his front foot is 5'4".
- Species: Asian elephant
- Gender: Male
- Birth: January 22, 1987
- Birth Place: Tampa, Florida, USA
- ERNA Arrival Date: September 23, 2021
- Interesting Fact: Bo arrived with custom-fitted stainless steel caps on the ends of his tusks that were designed to protect them from breakage but are non-essential in a natural habitat environment. Once they fall off, they will not be replaced.
- Personality Characteristics: Calm and gentle
- Friends: Tarra, Mundi, Mala and Samie
timeline
Updates
EAI E-Newsletter: Bo’s Third-Year Retirement Anniversary
EAI E-Newsletter: Happy 37th Birthday Bo!
EAI E-Newsletter: Bo’s Two-Year Retirement Anniversary
EAI E-Newsletter: Happy 36th Birthday Bo!
EAI E-Newsletter: Bo’s One-Year Retirement Anniversary
EAI E-Newsletter: Happy 35th Birthday Bo!
EleDiaries: Cooperation, A Choice
EleDiaries: Bo's Busy Browsing
EleDiaries: A Flash in the Dark
EAI e-Newsletter: Bo's Journey to Elephant Refuge North America
News Coverage
WCTV: Bo the elephant celebrates one-year anniversary retirement after performing at circuses for decades
WRDW: Elephant 'Bo' settling in quickly at new South Georgia home
The Post-Searchlight: Bo the elephant calls Attapulgus sanctuary home
Tallahassee Democrat: 'Born to be free': Georgia elephant refuge welcomes Bo, a retired circus elephant
WFSU Local News: South Georgia Elephant Refuge To Welcome First Resident
BO PHOTOS





