When we reminisce about this past year, we are flooded with a mix of emotions: most powerfully joy, sorrow, and gratitude. The losses were difficult to face. Delhi gave us time to prepare for her passing, but Queenie’s death brought us to our knees. Neither loss was easy, but each bestowed immeasurable gifts upon us. Ned’s arrival reminds us that anything is possible, even a bachelor in a matriarchal society. His condition remains tenuous, but he has a strong life force and we are determined to help bring him back to health. Our days are filled with chores from dawn till midnight; each day flying by like a wind storm. So we are ever grateful for the opportunity to sit for a moment and reflect on our good fortune. Elephants are a nation unto themselves. Those who have lost their natural family and are living in captivity are no less magnificent then their wild living counterparts. In many ways their life’s purpose might even be greater; we know their sacrifices are. We owe them a great deal. Our sincerest thanks go to all of you who have voluntarily joined their nation by doing so much for elephants living in captivity.
 

A New Year for the Elephants...

How has learning about the lives of elephants in captivity affected you?

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In your opinion what is the single most important effort that should be made for elephant welfare in 2009?

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Enjoy these features which will be posted on New Year's Eve.

• Best of 2008 Slide Show - 6:00 p.m.
  

• Dulary and Misty Swimming - (video) 9:00 p.m.
  
  
• Remembering Heart and Stars - Please join us for a moment of silence to remember Barbara, Tina, Lota, Jenny, Delhi, Queenie and Joanna 10:00 p.m.
• Ned's Happy New Year - (video) 11:55 p.m.

Visit Our New Channel on YouTube!

Be sure to check out our YouTube Channel and some of our sixteen wonderful videos! Bookmark this link and be sure to share the URL with all your friends!

Donor Acknowledgements/Thanks

List of Donors 2008

List of Recent Education Gallery Donors 2008

Wish List "Santuary Much" 2008

• Peace On Earth (video) ...and Sanctuary to All! - 4:00 p.m.
• Kids Page - Ele-kids fun & facts page (PDF download)
• Ned's Page - Learn all about Ned and be sure to read his Diary page (from the pull-down menu)
• Drawings of Ned by students from Vineland Elementary, Rotonda West, Florida

Visit these links to International Projects that do valuable work with elephants

• Elephant Nature Park in Thailand -- http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/index.htm
• Amboseli Trust for Elephants -- http://www.elephanttrust.org/
• Born Free --  http://www.bornfree.org.uk/
• The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust -- http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/index.asp
• Elephant Voices -- http://www.elephantvoices.org/

The Elephant Sanctuary is delighted to announce that beginning early in 2009, B&G Foods, makers of Grandma’s Molasses will be beginning a year-long program using their website along with other innovative ideas to help spread the word about The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Check their website early next year which will feature a Sanctuary Elephant of the Month, and watch our website for more updates!!

On the eve of the Solstice, winter 2008,
The Founding Herd had their eyes on the gate,
Expecting caregivers to come cross the fields
Bearing nightly treats and meals on wheels.

Loved by EleCam fans from all over the earth,
The Asians were home and rumbling with mirth.
Tarra, Sissy, and Winkie, Shirley, Misty, and Bunny,
Thought Dulary’s straw hat was quite silly and funny.

In the African barn, the three beauties there,
Tange, Zula, and Flora, were munching their fare,
While arranged on their backs in a decorative way
Were branches from trees and trimmings of hay.

And in Divaland, the grand Diva four
Were all coming home though the flaps of their door.
Debbie, Ronnie, and Lottie with her hat made of grass
Asked their friend, Mighty Minnie, to please let them pass.

Liz, Frieda, and Billie, next door, safe and sound,
Were playing and eating, tossing hay all around
As Billie-Sue told of the exciting first day
That she saw graceful Ned as she went out to play.

In his bachelor barn, Ned was eating a feast,
Rumbling at dogs, but not concerned in the least.
With his Tire at his feet, secured under his tummy,
He was thinking his new food was really quite yummy.

With Joanna watching by from the Tennessee sky,
The T-E-S spirit eles, once again young and spry,
Stood together with Barbara by the little pine tree:
Tina, Lota, dear Delhi, squeaky Queenie, and Jenny.

As the sky clouded and cleared, and stars twinkled bright,
The air filled with trumpets and songs of delight.
For when the caregivers had checked on each one,
And the work for the day was finally done,
The dogs, cats, and eles felt protected and blessed
And happily sang as they settled to rest.

And another sound came, from the hearts, minds, and prayers
Of friends and supporters world-wide, through the air.
The whisper of wishes sent to T-E-S full of love,
Circled the earth, then came down from above.
The tidings arrived with a touch soft and light:
“Happy Solstice to all, and to all a good night.”

Ele-aunt of the EleFan Herd (Martha)