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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Suzanne Carr 229-465-3115

Mundi the Elephant Celebrates Two Years of Freedom at Elephant Refuge North America

ATTAPULGUS, GA, May 8, 2025:

On May 12, Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) celebrates a deeply moving milestone: the second anniversary of Mundi the elephant’s rescue and return to freedom. After nearly 40 years in captivity—most of them spent in heartbreaking isolation—Mundi is now living the life every elephant deserves: one filled with friendship, freedom, and joy.

Mundi’s journey began in Zimbabwe, where she was born in the wild but orphaned during a brutal mass culling. Taken from her homeland, she spent decades alone in a zoo in Puerto Rico. Her world was one of concrete confinement and solitude—until May 12, 2023, when she arrived at ERNA’s 850-acre sanctuary in southern Georgia.

“Mundi's transformation is nothing short of miraculous,” said Carol Buckley, Founder and CEO of Elephant Aid International. "Her transformation since arriving at our sanctuary has been truly inspiring. She has blossomed in our 850-acre natural habitat, forming strong bonds with her herd mates, Bo and Tarra."

ERNA provides a safe haven for elephants rescued from captivity, offering them the space and care to heal and rediscover their natural behaviors. Mundi’s story highlights the importance of sanctuaries in providing refuge for these magnificent animals.

From the moment she arrived, Mundi embraced her new life. She immediately scratched on trees and rolled in the glorious mud—joys she hadn’t experienced since she was a calf. Despite not seeing another elephant in nearly 35 years, she quickly bonded with gentle Bo and wise Tarra, underscoring her deep need for companionship. She’s even made new friends in dogs Samie and Mala, chasing and playing with them across the fields.

Her days are now spent napping in the shade with her herd, foraging in the forest, and creating custom trails through the thick woods. These winding, elephant-sized paths have led to quiet resting spots, showing her deep intelligence and instinct for comfort and safety.

“Mundi has become a trailblazer—literally,” said Buckley. “She clears her own paths, forages wild vegetation, and creates peaceful spaces hidden deep in the forest. Watching her regain and express her natural behaviors is one of the greatest joys we’ve experienced.”

The Refuge has also captured powerful moments of connection between Mundi and her companions. Her growing bond with Tarra and her affectionate dependence on Bo are constant reminders of the emotional depth and social intelligence of elephants. Recently, she amazed staff watching the EleCam by tracking Bo through the woods using only her trunk—sweeping the ground for his scent and choosing the correct trail without visual cues.

As temperatures rise, the trio now spends more time in the ponds and mud wallows, enjoying naps together in the cool forest shade. Tarra, previously more solitary, has begun joining the group naps—demonstrating just how far these relationships have come.

“This anniversary is not just a celebration of Mundi’s freedom, but a tribute to everyone who helped make it possible,” Buckley added. “Thanks to the support of our community and the dedication of animal advocates, Mundi now lives the life she always deserved.”

Mundi's journey from heartbreak to happiness is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the elephant spirit—and of the extraordinary things that can happen when people join together to improve the lives of others.

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About Elephant Aid International (EAI): Elephant Aid International (EAI) is a nonprofit organization that creates innovative approaches to the care and management of elephants worldwide. We unchain elephants in Asia, teach humane methods of training and handling elephants, and provide a natural habitat refuge for retired elephants in the U.S. Learn more at http://elephantaidinternational.org.

Press Releases

May 9th, 2024: Elephant Refuge North America Celebrates Mundi's Birthday and First Year of Freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Suzanne Carr 229-465-3115

[email protected]

Elephant Refuge North America Celebrates Mundi's Birthday and First Year of Freedom

ATTAPULGUS, GA, May 9, 2024: This year is exceptionally special since it is Mundi's first birthday as a free-living elephant on May 12. She shows profound confidence living in the vast space of the Refuge, absorbing and appreciating her new autonomous life.

Mundi, a 42-year-old African savanna elephant who is 8' tall and weighs 8,000 pounds, arrived at the Refuge in southernmost Georgia in May 2023 after a highly anticipated and lengthy battle to rescue her from a Puerto Rican zoo where she lived completely alone in a small yard for nearly 35 years. Now, after twelve months of calling the Refuge her home, Mundi not only has access to 850 acres of elephant paradise and receives the highest quality of specialized care, but she also has the best birthday gifts an elephant could ask for: freedom and family.

Mundi was born in the wild and was one of 63 young elephants brought to the United States after a mass culling organized by the Zimbabwe government. Eccentric millionaire Arthur Jones purchased all the systematically orphaned elephants in 1984 and brought them to his Jumbolair estate in Ocala, Florida. A few years later, he broke up the herd and sold them to zoos, circuses, and private individuals. Following a brutal attack by another elephant that left her with one blind eye and a permanently damaged tusk socket, Mundi was sold to the zoo in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Good fortune shone on Mundi in May of 2023 when she arrived at the Refuge. She spent a few days in an adjoining habitat next to the other elephants, Bo and Tarra, as she acclimated to her new life. Mundi demonstrated an immediate interest in and acceptance of the other elephants, reaching out with her trunk touching, talking, and standing as close as she could. Elephants are extremely resilient creatures, and Mundi is a perfect example. At first sight, she ran full speed to Bo, standing on the other side of the fence. When Tarra appeared, she and Mundi immediately began touching softly through the fence. After a few days, Mundi was released into the full 850-acre habitat with Bo and Tarra, where she has been in their constant company ever since.

Located in Attapulgus, Georgia, Elephant Refuge North America spans 850 acres of gently rolling hills, lush pastures, dense forests, spring-fed lakes, creeks, and streams, with a climate that allows the elephants to remain outdoors 24/7 almost all the year. It is the perfect place for elephants to regain their "elephantness" and develop loving bonds with other elephants and caregivers.

To learn more, or if you would like to contribute toward Mundi's care in her forever home at the Refuge, visit: https://elephantaidinternational.org/mundi-campaign/.

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FACT SHEETS

FACT SHEET: ABOUT MUNDI

Species: African savanna elephant

Gender: Female

Age: 41

Life Expectancy: Mid to late 60's

Height: 8’

Weight: 8,000 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Mundi is blind in her right eye and has a damaged right tusk

Personality Traits: Calm and Curious

Mundi’s History: Mundi is a wild-born African savanna elephant, one of 63 young African elephants brought to the United States by eccentric millionaire Arthur Jones in 1984. Jones orchestrated a rescue mission to bring the calves to his Jumbolair estate in Ocala, Florida after mass culling organized by the Zimbabwe government left them orphaned.

In 1986, Jones broke up the young herd and sold them to zoos, circuses, and private individuals. Following a brutal attack that left her with one blind eye and a permanently damaged tusk, Mundi was sold to the zoo in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Mundi has been on display at the zoo since 1988. For nearly 35 years, she has lived alone in an area of about 15,000 square feet with access to an enclosed shelter where she is chained at night.

Why Mundi is being retired: The Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico zoo has been closed to the public since September 2017, resulting in growing financial difficulties and the loss of its USDA license for failing to employ a veterinarian and providing substandard care for its animals, many of whom have died.

In 2018, Mundi was under contract to come to ERNA. But the struggling government imploded, all contracts were canceled, and Mundi languished.

Finally, in February 2023, the US Department of Justice ordered the zoo's closure and the relocation of all the remaining animals to reputable sanctuaries. Shortly after, we were once again asked to accept Mundi. Mundi will be Elephant Refuge North America's third elephant and first African.

General Facts About African Elephants

Species: There are three recognized elephant species: Asian, African savanna and African forest.

Number of African elephants in the wild today:

400,000-415,000

African Savannah Elephant Physical characteristics:

African savanna elephants, also known as African bush elephants, are the largest living land mammal in Africa. Their backs are concave and their trunks have two fingerlike tips. Their skin appears loose with parallel folds, which create maximum surface area for heat disbursement. They have large pointed and triangular-shaped ears, resembling the African continent, and outward-curving tusks. They range from South to East Africa.

Diet: Herbivore. Adult African elephants eat up to 200 pounds of plant material each day. In the wild they spend close to 20 hours a day searching for, selecting, collecting and eating a wide variety of live vegetation. African elephants graze, eating a range of plants, including bamboo in the growing season and adding tree branches in the dry season.

FACT SHEET: CAROL BUCKLEY, ELEPHANT REFUGE NORTH AMERICA AND ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL

ABOUT CAROL BUCKLEY, ELEPHANT REFUGE NORTH AMERICA AND ELEPHANT AID INTERNATIONAL

Carol Buckley Biography, long version:

Elephant Aid International Founder, President and CEO Carol Buckley is an internationally recognized authority in the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and welfare of captive-held elephants. Carol creates innovative models that set new standards of care for elephants in captivity and are copied and adapted for various captive situations in the US and Asia.

With nearly 50 years experience working with captive-held elephants, Buckley is known for her extensive knowledge of elephant values, physiology and culture. She has developed revolutionary non-dominant management systems and holistic healthcare programs that support the recovery of elephants while ensuring their autonomy.

In 2009, concerned about the lives of many elephants in captivity, Buckley founded Elephant Aid International. A leading spokesperson and expert witness for elephant care and protection nationally and internationally, Buckley works with governmental agencies, private organizations and NGOs to strengthen regulations protecting the welfare of elephants in captivity.

Buckley co-founded America’s first and largest natural habitat elephant sanctuary, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, in 1995. In her 15 years at the Sanctuary, Buckley oversaw the rescue of 23 elephants. Under her leadership, the Sanctuary drew international acclaim for its integrative, holistic approach to medical care and trauma recovery.

Carol received a Genesis Award in recognition of her innovative work (2001) and has been named a Hero for The Planet by Time magazine and an Ambassador for Elephants by Asian Elephants Today.

Carol has been the subject of numerous features in the New York Times Magazine, Parade, National Geographic, Chicago Tribune, People and Readers Digest. Her work has been featured on Oprah, ABC News 20/20, CBS News, CNN, the Canadian Broadcast Corp. and many others.

Carol Buckley Biography, short version:

Elephant Aid International Founder, President and CEO Carol Buckley is an internationally recognized authority in the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and welfare of captive-held elephants. With nearly 50 years experience working with captive-held elephants, Buckley is known for her extensive knowledge of elephant values, physiology and culture. She has developed revolutionary non-dominant management systems and holistic healthcare programs that support the recovery of elephants while ensuring their autonomy. Buckley founded Elephant Aid International in 2009 to improve the welfare of captive elephants worldwide. She also co-founded America’s first and largest natural habitat elephant sanctuary, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, in 1995. In her 15 years at the Sanctuary, Buckley oversaw the rescue of 23 elephants and won international acclaim for its integrative, holistic approach to medical care and trauma recovery.

About Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA): Elephant Refuge North America is an 850-acre natural habitat refuge designed specifically to meet the needs of retired elephants who have spent their lives in captivity. The lush pastures, forests, creeks and spring-fed lakes and its temperate climate allow elephants to graze and forage on natural vegetation with the opportunity to explore outdoors 24/7, nearly 356 days a year.

Our motto at the Refuge is, “Elephants come first!” Free choice of where, when and with whom to eat, sleep, bathe and graze, along with unrestricted access to acres of natural habitat with a state-of-the art fully automated elephant house is a recipe for good health. The Refuge is a project of Elephant Aid International and will ultimately be home to as many as 10 elephants retired from zoos and circuses.

About Elephant Aid International (EAI): Carol Buckley founded EAI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in 2010 to support the lives of captive elephants worldwide. EAI enlists scientists, veterinarians, mahouts [elephant handlers] and owners in advancing elephant welfare. EAI also provides education and hands-on assistance for elephants’ care, training and handling. Learn more at https://elephantaidinternational.org.

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