TARRA MEDIA PAGE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Suzanne Carr 229-465-3115
[email protected]
Tarra the Elephant Celebrates Three Glorious Years
at Elephant Refuge North America
ATTAPULGUS, GA, November 18, 2024: Three years ago, after a ten-hour trek across three southern states in a customized trailer, 47-year-old Tarra inhaled the fresh autumn air at her new home, Elephant Refuge North America, in Attapulgus, Georgia. Tarra’s arrival followed a decade-long battle for her freedom and hard-fought-for reunion with lifelong legal guardian and protector Carol Buckley.
As Tarra cautiously exited the trailer onto a cushion of dense pasture grass, a familiar but long, absent voice said, “Hey, sweet girl, it’s me.” Tarra’s eyes widened in recognition of Carol’s voice, the woman who raised her. Tarra expelled an emotionally charged exhale, followed by a long soft rumble, as Carol said, “Welcome home, my girl.”
After more than a decade, Tarra was back where she belonged. Free to express herself and experience true autonomy with someone who understood her deeply. Again, she would be free to commune with her favorite species–dog. Deprived of dogs in her previous home for over a decade, Tarra would once again chatter with joy whenever the furry creatures raced around her playfully and curled up for a nap in her shadow.
The past three years have seen Tarra bond with Bo, the Refuge’s first resident elephant, and then with Mundi, who arrived months later. All three are compatible in every way, living together in harmony. In addition, Tarra has befriended Mala and Samie, two rescue dogs who exhibited immediate comfort around Tarra, sleeping underneath her after an exhausting game of tag.
The long-fought battle to free Tarra to the Refuge was well worth the effort. Seeing Tarra thrive is reward enough. She is now 50 years old, sound in body and mind, with the promise of decades of the good life ahead of her.
Tarra was wild caught in Burma and shipped to the U.S. as a baby, where she has spent half a century educating Americans about the plight of her captive-held species. Her sacrifice has been great. Considering the life that was taken from her, Tarra deserves to live in a semi-wild environment, under the care of people who put her needs first and allow her to make her own choices, which is exactly what we do at Elephant Refuge North America.
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 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 Tarra’s care in her forever home at the Refuge, visit: https://elephantaidinternational.org/elephant-tarra-new/
###
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.
FACT SHEET
Tarra PHOTOS
