August 19, 2010

Last Friday afternoon, when hay was brought out to Shirley, it was noted that she had an area of edema on her stomach.  Edema is observable swelling from fluid accumulation in body tissues.  Ventral (abdominal) edema occurs commonly among captive elephants in North America and has been treated in various ways.  Noted in "Biology, Medicine and Surgery of Elephants" by Murray Fowler and Susan Mikota, the majority of cases are non-life threatening, and resolve without treatment.

Shirley was acting fine, eating and drinking normally, and didn’t seem to understand the fuss over her belly. Shirley's condition, possible causes, and plan of action were discussed with the Sanctuary's three veterinarians. Edema can be caused by many things ranging from parasites, physiological stressors (very high temperatures being a possibility), certain organ involvement, and some unknown reasons. Blood was taken and samples were sent out to help rule out certain possibilities. The blood work shows that Shirley’s organ function looks good and there were no infectious cells present in her sample.  A remedy was prescribed and Shirley was put on an additional supplement, and was monitored closely.

Although the edema initially shifted with gravity, which happens, we are happy to say that, as of Tuesday, it is already decreasing in size.  Shirley has shown no signs of discomfort, and has been cooperative with all of her testing and treatment. In fact, she seems intent on making sure that when you are visiting, you acknowledge other parts of her big frame, not just her belly.  She has been receiving her grain in her bucket to ensure she is eating all of her food and getting all of her vitamins and supplements. This means no sharing with Tarra.  Shirley is still happy and feisty, bathing, coating herself in mud, and thoroughly enjoying the slightly cooler temperatures, along with the rest of the girls.  We will continue to closely monitor any changes, and pamper our grandma in any way we can. It seems there is always room for more pampering.  Though Shirley is 62, she has no problem reminding us that she is a very strong lady in more ways than one.

July 29, 2010

Stretching from one end of the Sanctuary to the other, the Girls are all out and about, enjoying another wonderful summer in full swing. From grazing and browsing the natural vegetation of their habitats, to spending lots of time cooling off in the water and shade... dusting for sunscreen and even savoring the brief chill of a frozen fruit pop, the season is appreciated by all the Ladies from sunup to sundown. See the brand new video with recent footage captured for you by their caregivers.

July 14, 2010

It's been well over a year since Tarra and Bella became celebrities, thanks to their "Odd Couple" story broadcast by CBS News, which is still making the rounds on YouTube. The Sanctuary continues to get inquiries and emails from people around the world, asking if Tarra and Bella are still together and how they are doing. The answer is right here in video, with new footage recorded just this past week. They are both doing great!

July 13, 2010

With some help from one of our local, long-time supporters, and a group of college student volunteers, the Girls have their very own garden. The gardeners took what we had on hand, and put it to good use; Old hay bales form the border and rows of our raised garden. The garden rows are filled with a rich mixture of dirt, sawdust from the bottom of the pile, and some of our unending supply of premium "big Girl" compost. Seeds were then planted and with almost no monetary cost; we have a sweet little organic garden that supplies the Girls with some tasty extras. Hopefully we will be able to build on this garden area for next year.
 
Having our own fresh assortment of produce allows us to supplement the girls diets, on occasion, with a little something different. Having grown it ourselves, we know there are no chemicals or pesticides, and we can just run down the Sanctuary road and pick the goodies when they are ready. In addition, even our compost pile grows its own wild watermelons and pumpkins!
 
Since the staff is generally a little tight on time, our volunteer gardener, Leila, comes to weed, water, and de-bug our mini produce section—so, many thanks for her advice and her diligence.
 
In addition to the garden, once a week we visit a local Amish produce auction in Ethridge, TN. The pairing of this wholesale produce auction and the big Girls seems a natural as the freshness of the produce and the large amounts definitely fit the Girls' appetites at a great price.
 
The huge covered auction platform is surrounded with the traditional horse-drawn Amish black buggies as well as large metal-wheeled wagons full of beautiful produce, and pulled by harnessed stocky horses. One can wander the rows and rows of wooden palettes stacked with perfectly sorted summer fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of colors: squash yellows, cucumber greens, translucent onion whites, deep blueberry blues, tomato reds, and eggplant purples.
 
The Amish families with their children are milling around and helping out, though their work began before daybreak in the fields. At 1:00 pm the bidding begins for each farmer's lot with a minimum number of boxes, bushels, bags or even a wagonload to be bought as the cadence of the auctioneer begins to excite the bidders. A raised hand here, a nod there, a shake of the head, and you may have just bought 4 bags of the season's first sweet corn for $8.00 a 60-count bag.
 
All of the above supplements our regular produce orders from McCartney Produce in Paris, TN. They have been in business since 1947 and offer organic produce as well as detailed information on the source of their produce. Our standard orders on Tuesdays and Saturdays include various amounts of broccoli, cabbage, carrots, corn, potatoes, onions, bananas, oranges, apples and grapes. Each of the barns orders for their own specific needs depending on the preferences of the elephants there.
 
To add something special to all of this, some of our supporters like to order "treats" for the Girls. On this website under "How You Can Help" there is information on choices of produce that one may specify for treats, in addition to the regular produce and fruit. Those choices include mangoes, sugar cane, pineapple, strawberries, cranberries, tomatoes, banana leaves and melons.
 
All totaled, each elephant consumes from 150 to 200 lbs. of vegetation, hay, grain and produce every day.

Watch Slide Show!

July 6, 2010

'Grandma' Shirley is our oldest elephant at the Sanctuary, but she's also one of the strongest. You only have to look at Shirley's body to learn some of her story: an old, improperly healed break in her back right leg from being attacked by another circus elephant, a large section missing from her right ear, attributed to a fire on her circus ship that also left her with scars on her back, side, and feet. And after surviving all of that, she then spent 23 years in a zoo alone with no elephant companionship. Although her keeper cared for her deeply, the zoo realized that was not enough, and decided to retire her to the kind of life she truly deserved.
 
It was 11 years ago today that we were blessed with Shirley's arrival—an event for which we are ever grateful. Her emotional reunion with Jenny showed us just how strong and everlasting their bonds can be. Her gentle strength and wisdom led her to become a caring matriarch of a herd that united elephants from all different backgrounds. But the fact they were not related did not prevent Shirley from helping to shape the “Founding Herd” into a loving, bonded family.
 
Shirley has changed much since her arrival at the Sanctuary. She has softened a great deal and we expect it is partially due to the losses she experienced. With truly heartfelt emotions, there inevitably comes heartbreak, but the former always outweighs the latter. Since she has been here, among losing others, she has said goodbye to Jenny, whom she treated as a daughter, and Bunny, who was much more of a sister.
 
All of this is nothing to be sad about; these are part of Shirley's journey, part of her growth, and part of what makes her who she is today. She is even more nurturing now—more accepting, and for the remaining herd, those qualities are very important. They are again making her the perfect matriarch. Rest assured she is not sad—she always has a warm smile on her face—that is, unless she is wearing her mischievous one! She still rumbles, trumpets, and plays, and now she is sharing her gifts more often with the other Girls. And this includes teaching Tarra what it truly means to be a contributing member of the herd; perhaps shaping our youngest member of the Asian herd to take over her role some day.
 
Watching Shirley contentedly grazing alongside the lake with Tarra and Bella beside her, surrounded by trees and open skies, knowing the effect she has had on all those she has touched both near and far all these years, one realizes there isn't an ounce of sadness. She is where she belongs; Shirley and her sisters deserve every blessing that comes from every moment that she is here. Happy Anniversary, Shirley.
 

June 21, 2010

Liz grazing in the pasture

Liz is doing quite well, and she's being incredibly patient with us, as we continue to search for the right combination of treatments that will work for her. Treating elephants for TB has been described by some as a 'year of hell'. Although we wouldn't go that far, it has definitely been challenging and sometimes disheartening.

For a while Lizzie was not absorbing the drugs well; other times there was conflict with one medication cancelling out the others' effectiveness. Other times her body rejected the treatment, rapidly expelling the rectal drugs.  The frustrating part is that these treatments have worked well in other cases, so why not with Liz? No one has the answers. A few weeks ago, Liz reached a point where she was only eating a couple of flakes of hay, a few branches of willow or elm and a few pieces of bamboo each day. She didn't want anything else, and trust us, Liz's caregivers tried just about everything under the moon. Occasionally Liz would eat one or two pieces of fruit or vegetables, then wouldn't touch them again for a week.

Recently, after discussing our options with the veterinary TB advisory group, we took Liz off her meds for a week; giving her a break before we started her on another drug, hoping for better results medically as well as helping Liz to feel better. During this break she bounced back rapidly—within a few days returning to her normal diet, with a special fondness for cucumbers and green peppers.

Now she is eating like our old Lizzie, and we are able to once again get her to consume her probiotics and other supplements that help reduce the side effect of the medications. When Liz was not eating grain, or produce, or jello, or smoothies, or homemade peanut butter oat cookies… we were also unable to get Liz to take any of her supplements, which only compounded the effects that she was feeling from the medications.

For a caregiver, the worst feeling in the world is the realization that the treatment we are providing is making our loved one feel worse. While we wished we could have given her this break sooner, the problem is that the more time Lizzie is off this treatment after it has already started, the greater the probability of developing a drug resistant strain of TB.
 
Lizzie is now on a new treatment regimen that her body appears to be handling quite well. Lizzie remains bright and has maintained a hearty appetite. She always conveys soft, warm rumbles when we are treating her, which is then followed by the chorus of singing, honking and squeaking when she goes back to be with her two best friends, Frieda and Billie.
 
While we would like to be providing more frequent updates on Lizzie, this roller coaster ride that we've shared with her has made it difficult, since her status has changed so often; one day showing signs of an improved appetite, the next, symptoms she was rejecting her treatment. Our fingers are crossed right now with anxious anticipation as we continue to move forward, finding the balance of keeping Liz comfortable while also meeting her medical needs.
 
Many people have asked us why treating TB seemed so easy with Misty, but so challenging with Liz. Just like people, no two elephants are alike. Some tolerate medications better than others, and if you just look at the two physically, Misty could be described as an impenetrable tank, while Liz is petite and leaner. Another factor is that one of the treatment drugs that Misty and most of the handful of elephants that have successfully undergone TB treatment in this country received is no longer available, and the alternatives tend to have more side effects. Without the human demand for this drug it is no longer manufactured, adding yet another obstacle towards achieving successful treatment for elephants.

Yet throughout all of the highs and lows, Lizzie's spirit has never wavered. At times she has needed more rest and has not had quite as much energy, but her wakeful time has still been filled with rumbles and playful time with her sisters. She continues to be herself in all ways;in outlook, demeanor, and cooperativeness. The light that Lizzie has always emanated continues to strongly shine through. 

We will keep you posted!

June 12, 2010

Several of our Ladies, including Sissy and Lizzie, have different degrees of trunk paralysis. This condition can be found in both Asian and African elephants, and the effect it has can range from mild weakness to complete paralysis and muscle wasting. The cause is generally unknown, but possibilities include trauma, infection, and lack of proper nutrition. You would be able to observe a "tell-tale" appearance in the trunk of most elephants with trunk paralysis. Their trunk appears much narrower than the typical thick and muscular trunk. The paralysis commonly originates at the base of the trunk and extends to different lengths toward the tip with the last ¼ being the least affected. This still allows the girls to use their trunk tip “fingers” to pick up and manipulate objects normally. Elephants with partial trunk paralysis usually learn to adapt by swinging their trunk to reach their mouth, using their feet or other objects to lift items, and leaning over to drink. Monitoring our girls to ensure that adequate nutrition and hydration needs are met is essential. Our experience has shown that our circus elephants (Ned, Lizzie and Delhi) had learned to adapt more effectively, possibly out of necessity.

Sissy, who is from a zoo, is still working on perfecting the art of drinking. (see Ele-Notes March 8, 2010) Sissy may have sustained injury to her trunk from trauma in a flood in northern Texas. In addition, her trunk became completely paralyzed after complications. However, since her arrival at The Elephant Sanctuary, she has adapted quite well and the use of her trunk has improved a good 25%. Sissy uses the swinging technique that all of our elephants seem to have preferred. When there is an "itch" at the base of her trunk, (which might seem almost impossible to reach) Sissy will swing her trunk up and pin it between the base of her trunk and either a tree or a barn stall bar. This keeps her trunk in place allowing her to walk the tip of her trunk to whatever area has an itch, and then she happily scratches. Oh, that we had a trunk to reach the unreachable.

Lizzie can easily swing her trunk up to get it inside the auto-waterers to take a drink. She is fairly accurate. In gathering hay, she scoots and scoops with the end of her trunk, then when she has the perfect amount of hay, she thumps it several times on the floor to get it just right, then swings it up to her mouth. She is pretty adept at scooping up her grain and produce along with her hay as well. She has adapted very well with her limitations and has been observed, when outside, seemingly entertaining herself by just swinging her trunk round and round like a large pendulum.

Having partial trunk paralysis has not seemed to limit any of our elephants. They still bathe themselves, hold their trunks out of the water while swimming, touch and smell their sisters, and in the case of Sissy, carry around a full sized tire.

Watch Slide Show!

May 26, 2010

 
All of our Ladies get visits from the water trailer, but none as much as Sis and Winks. Although Sissy has gotten much better in perfecting the art of getting water from her trunk into her mouth—with the temperatures being what they are during Tennessee summers—we want to ensure that she is getting enough. And since Sissy and Winkie are always together, Winkie also enjoys a nice drink. That is, when she's not just picking hay off of the back of the four wheeler instead.
 
There are times when we bring out the trailer and the girls don't drink, but that's fine, as it means a brief visit and being at ease knowing they are caring for themselves. Even though Shirley and Tarra spend most of their summertime around the lake or the creek, the trailer is also brought out to them on occasion, and although Tarra usually does not drink, we want to make sure that our grandma Shirley has more than enough water to make sure her aging kidneys remain healthy. And Dulary and Misty? Well they usually just stop the water trailer on its return trip back to the barn. Sometimes it's just to say 'hello,' and other times it's so they can give themselves a quick rinse—because for them, there is no such thing as too much bathing!

May 24, 2010

After the flood rearranged a few things, one of the caregivers found a new toy for Billie. Of course this bright orange, pill-shaped piece of plastic required intense inspection from Billie first. It appears to have passed her test!

May 15, 2010

Ned left us exactly one year ago today. We buried our young prince near Lota's final resting place, overlooking the valley where the Divas roam today.

 
In the short time we had with Ned, he touched many of us differently. One of his caregivers recalls that Ned always seemed to exude this air of being pleasantly surprised. Her favorite memories of Ned were the times when he was feeling very good and would get a little playful. She would be making notes in his log, and out of the corner of her eye she could see his shadow on the wall, watching her. The shadow's trunk would curl and then start to swing. This was usually about the time a flake of hay would hit his caregiver in the back. She would turn with a smile or a teasing word, and Ned would look back very innocently as if to say, "What? No, I didn't throw that. Wasn't me." One time, she turned just soon enough to knock the flake out of the air with her hand before it reached her. Ned's expression remained innocent, and as his caregiver pushed the flake back to him with a broom, that feeling of pleasant surprise grew again.
 
Ned was a beautiful boy, and while we know there really wasn't anything more we could have done for him, our hearts still ache at the short time we had to care for him. Watching him learn about grass, dogs and other things in and around his domain, was truly heartwarming. His caregivers, as well as his many devoted followers, wished we could have seen him learn so much more. Namaste, sweet Ned.

------------------

As caregivers, we remember Nedley with a bit of sadness for a split second, then we just have to break into an automatic smile. One caregiver remembers the day Ned arrived...cold and windy. She could only imagine his thoughts as he was about to exit the trailer after the long trip with Scott from Florida- listening to unfamiliar voices, smelling unfamiliar smells, hearing unfamiliar sounds, etc. Our first look at him brought smiles from everyone present, and looks of concern for obvious signs of what he had endured during his circus life.

As he cautiously, but easily, stepped out onto the porch of his new home, he wasn't greeted with any music, banners, crowds wanting to see him, etc.; but rather, just a few people who had gone the extra mile to rescue him; and a few others of us who had waited for him to come home so we could care for him.

Caring for Ned was a privilege, and getting to know him was a lot of fun. He really came out of his shell once he realized there would be no punishment if he was feeling a bit off, grumpy, or just wanted to keep to himself. He was quite a comedian, and took advantage of any little chance to toss some of his food at a caregiver.

Ned was a champion hay tosser, and had good range and aim. A caregiver recalls one morning in particular....she had given him his morning meal, and turned to write the details in the log book. He was very quiet, and came to stand in the stall behind her. With no sound or warning, a BIG glob of sticky oatmeal sailed past her head and landed on the wall a couple of feet above. Part of it stayed, the rest lobbed down to the floor. She turned to see Ned standing very tall, looking absolutely pleased at his accomplishment. We all learned to stand a bit to the side to keep an eye on this boy, as he loved to catch you unaware. Everyone got things tossed at them at one time or another. For some, it became a silent game of shuffling....We would see him get into position and start to gather hay in his trunk. The caregiver would slowly move to the other end of the barn and do something over there. Once Ned relaxed or moved down closer, she would casually move back and finish her notes, thanking him for his cooperation before she left.

Another favorite memory of a caregiver is of Ned eating some fresh pineapple. The caregiver took a big chunk and slid it to him at the front of his stall. He scooped it up right away and popped the whole thing in his mouth without hesitation. He bit down, and suddenly his eye squinched tightly closed, and his cheeks clinched up...just like when you bite into something sweet/tart and get that sensation that makes you pucker. His eyes opened back up after a moment and he began to chew, then swallowed his treat happily. He also used to fill his cheeks when drinking from the hose, chipmunk style. One could not help laughing out loud at his actions. He was a funny boy.

A favorite image which always makes us smile is a picture of Scott holding a grain bin and a pumpkin while encouraging Ned to explore his yard. Ned had a face for the camera, that's for sure. We used to love calling to him and walking down the fence line so he would follow to the grass, which at first was foreign to him and he didn't quite know what to do with all that soft, sweet smelling stuff under his feet. Eventually he learned to enjoy his luxuries and freedom and spent a lot of time in his tall grassy habitat.

Pictures of Ned flip through our memories quite often, and they always make us happy. We are very glad to have loved, known and cared for him. We so appreciate those who cared for Ned from afar, in the same way they have cared for our Girls. Ned was a very loved boy, and we are sure he felt that love after coming here to live out his much-too-short life.

Thank you, Nedly.....we all miss you very much.
 
 

May 14, 2010

Friday, May 14 is the anniversary of Bunny's passing.

Watch Slide Show!

 A couple of weeks ago, driving out to Marcella's to feed Shirley and Tarra, there came a deep sense of peace, and instantly thoughts went to Bunny. It had rained the night before, and temperatures were cooler. The sometimes- harsh sun of Tennessee was muted and lit up the valleys with a soft glow. Tarra was quietly grazing towards the entrance of the branch where Bunny's body was laid to rest. Shirley was lying down just twenty yards from the space that will forever be marked by a single lone pine, somehow missed when everything around it was cut down. Upon approaching Shirley, she remained in repose, embracing the quiet of the moment, and consumed her hay where she was - she loved Bunny so. That moment, the space, the feelings that are palpable and sweet, their pure love, respectful and eternal; to all of this, the Girls continue to pay tribute.
 
Bunny was a love. She arrived here in 1999 from Evansville, Indiana when the deep caring of her family there allowed them to let her go. Even though she had not been with another elephant, (she did have weekly visits with a hippo), she quickly became part of the herd and re-learned what it was to be an elephant. During her first month here, she had slept outside lying down, left behind her brown ball "security blanket," gone swimming, ventured into the woods, decided mud wallows were wonderful, and had completely attached herself to Shirley and Jenny.
 
Bunny was the catalyst for the rest of the Ladies sleeping outside. It seems after all those nights in a barn, she thought gazing up at the stars on a bed of lush grasses was something not to be missed. The outside proved to be very much to her liking, making her always the last one to return to the barn. Caregivers have spent many a cold night slowly escorting Bunny, and any of her companions, back to the warmth of the barn. These treks would have to be started in the afternoon at times, knowing the hours it would take to finally arrive back at the barn.
 
To say Bunny did not move very fast, is a gross understatement. You could literally park a fourwheeler full of food about fifteen feet from Bunny, feed everyone else, and she would still be slowly making her way over to try to steal what had been there five minutes before. So the trip home was always slow, but when she arrived, there was quite the trumpeting, rumbling, squeaking, and belching celebration. Of course there did not have to be a long walk home to evoke this response. This greeting was something those Girls did every night they returned to the barn. They brought happiness home with them.
 
Bunny was silly, playful, and always greeted even humans with a warm loving welcome. She was very "trunky," whether it be grabbing Shirley's trunk and not letting go (while Shirley squinted and belched, adoring every minute), trying to wrap herself around a caregiver, or wanting to take your hand and sometimes keep it for a bit. She loved having you cup the end of her trunk-nose, while she heartily exhaled, and you quickly covered and uncovered it. When she got really playful, she would tilt her head back and forth, like an off-axis bobble head, which was generally followed by the above-mentioned Shirley trunk hold. There was no way you could be in her presence and not smile, which usually turned into a giggle.
 
Just because Bunny was silly doesn't mean that was all there was to her. She was also very deep, loving and supportive. We had all feared what Shirley would go through when Jenny passed, but Bunny stepped right in to be there for her sister. While Jenny was lying down, Shirley and Bunny would walk up to the top of the hill to spend quiet time together alone; thus began the bonding process that took their relationship to an even deeper level. With Bunny's caring ways, Shirley made it through a terribly difficult time in a better way than we had ever hoped. Bunny stepped in as a friend, not like the mother/daughter caregiving relationship which Shirley had with Jenny, but rather more on equal grounds like a sister.
 
Each elephant that walks on these grounds brings something to the Sanctuary. It may be something that helps them grow, something they offer to their sisters, or the many lessons they teach us. Every spirit here changes the Sanctuary forever, and we are grateful. It can be hard if you think of the Girls in terms of what we have lost by their not being here anymore. Instead, we remember them in terms of what we have gained. These Girls (and our one strong Man) are a blessing and we have much to be thankful for.

So today, we celebrate the life of Bunny—our cute, little, square, tree-wearing, sweet love of an elephant that has touched so many. A piece of her will be in our hearts always.
 

May 5, 2010

The devastating storms, torrential rainfall and floods that came through Tennessee May 1 and 2 will be remembered for generations. We're thankful that we, the Sanctuary staff and elephants alike, came through this okay. Our hearts and prayers are with those who were not so fortunate.

Watch Slide Show!

April 30, 2010

Currently Liz is doing exceptionally well, and reminding us, once again, how different each elephant can be. Little Lizzie is proving to be more sensitive than Misty, so we are supporting her in that respect. 

Finding the right Anti-TB medications for elephants can be very tricky: some cannot be absorbed rectally, others are difficult to acquire, some that have been used successfully to treat elephants in the past are no longer manufactured, and each drug affects each individual elephant differently. Unfortunately there is an element of trial and error which can be frustrating for the caregivers, but we continue to be reassured by the TB advisory team that this is totally normal and we should be thrilled with how things are going. To be quite honest, part of this frustration comes from so little data; some previous treatments have not been well documented, while other institutions are not sharing their information and experiences. Caregivers’ emotions are sometimes compounded when Liz goes through difficult periods like she did at the end of March and beginning of April. She was not eating well, was lethargic and understandably reluctant for treatment.

After three weeks of ups and downs, constantly working with our homeopathic vet to find a remedy that would help strengthen her system and increase her tolerance of her medications and food, allowing us to provide additional supplementation, Lizzie now looks as radiant as ever. She continues to thrive with her sisters, Frieda and Billie by her side. Lizzie is eating and drinking well, and remains exceptionally cooperative for daily medications. Presently Liz is on two drugs; a third drug will be arriving soon which she will have to be on for two months in order to comply with the treatment guidelines. We remain hopeful that the right combination of supplements, homeopathy, and a whole lot of TLC from her ele-friends and caregivers will carry her through this challenging drug therapy, leading to a healthy future.

Today on the Lizzie scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the best), she appears to be a 9.

Special note from Scott:
I need to add my sincere and humble appreciation to the caregivers. Treating elephants with TB can be a very difficult and trying process. It is hard enough to tend to an animal when they are sick from factors outside of our control, like tending to Ned who was in poor condition when he arrived. But, when you add in the element that the treatment we give her has actually caused Lizzie’s acute symptoms, the struggle is enough to rip our hearts in two. Times like we are experiencing now, when Liz feels great, rumbling, honking and squeaking, eating well, grazing on the spring grasses and napping with sisters, help to remind us of the long term goal; to help provide Liz with a long and healthy future.

Thank you, Richard, Barbara and Ashleigh, the three primary caregivers for Liz, Frieda and Billie and an extended thanks to Sam and Angela, primary caregivers for Lottie, Ronnie, Debbie and Minnie. This team is what makes the life at the Sanctuary for these lucky seven possible. These caregivers are in the foreground of their care; they are the ones that hold open hearts for healing, providing extra support and security when the elephants need it most. Anyone in the caregiver/healthcare provider role knows that this life can be overwhelming and exhausting, but it can also be infinitely rewarding. For those in our Quarantine barns, where extra precautions are needed, hot and sweaty tyvek suits, bulky respirators, extra disinfection, and intense medical treatments, dedication, commitment and tolerance hold a special value.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the caregivers and providers on the ground floor, they are the first response in the good and the bad, and their dedication is what makes Sanctuary for Liz and the fourteen other residents possible. All hats off as we praise their work! Please remember to join in the elephants song and joyous celebration when life is good; their light and undeniable appreciation carries us through.

March 30, 2010

Liz remains in good spirits, thoroughly enjoying the companionship of her two close friends, taking turns napping in the sun and grazing. Over the past week, Liz's treatments have caused her to be a little off, which her vet team says can be a quite common as her body begins to adjust to the meds. She is eating hay and bamboo exceptionally well, even devouring willow branches from a tree that Minnie selected for her by the pond. However, Liz hasn't been eating grain or produce as readily as we would like. We continue to give Liz homeopathic remedies to help her tolerate her treatments better, which should provide a positive change in her appetite as well.

Last week, Liz was a little more reluctant to step into the restraint chute where she receives her treatments, likely because of the same minor side effects that caused her to stop eating her grain and produce. But once she is in there, she is wonderful during the treatment. Of course, consistency in meds is the key to success for treating TB, so her primary caregivers, Barbara and Richard, continue to work with Liz, looking for whatever she needs or wants that will help provide a little more comfort. Several fruits and vegetables were offered to Liz; some were marginally appealing, but yesterday, a loaf of bread was the food of the day. Liz came into the chute readily, ate all of her produce and then stood calmly for her treatment. We will continue to follow Lizzie's path, listening to her needs and accommodating her wants.

Liz has not been the only one we have been keeping our eyes on lately. A delightful change in Billie's temperament has begun to unfold! It appears Billie really likes her Phase I barn and yard accommodations with Liz and Frieda, more intimate and a little further away from the other Divas, and it has caused her to settle into a more comfortable state of mind. With a smaller crew of doting caregivers and more freedom, Billie has begun to blossom—vocalizing and even becoming more receptive to physical touch from her caregivers. Billie can now often be heard playing outside late at night. This ray of positive energy from her is so wonderful to watch, and no doubt helps to keep Liz's spirits up, too. During this time, we have also noticed Billie become even more protective of her little sister Liz, often letting us know even before we see the overt signs from Liz, that she is feeling a little under the weather.

Billie loves her big blue ball!

And then there is sweet Frieda, soft and gentle, always ready for a sing-a-long and always looking for extra goodies! Frieda's spirits are always high—we can't remember the last time she had a "bad day." As many of you know, Frieda has Osteomyelitis in her front feet. She continues to receive foot soaks to help the symptoms, along with doses of homeopathic remedies and herbal sprays for increased comfort. Frieda, much like Delhi, does not let her physical struggles interrupt her life song. In her mind, there is no such thing as a bad day, just little bumps along the journey. Often we will see Frieda resting her feet by lying on the sand pile with Liz or Billie, and sometimes they both stand over her—this sisterhood is the complete circle. Last week while Billie was headed to the barn for her dinner, Frieda stayed and stood over little Liz for more than an hour, shading her from the sun. They remind us every day of one of the primary missions of the sanctuary—to provide the space and time for the elephants to be, truly be with the other elephants. Their family is key to their growth and their health.

Today, overall on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being Lizzie at her usual moxie, vocal, playful, animated, healthy self, we would rate her at a strong 7, with appetite signs of an even more positive number tomorrow. We adore the way she brightens her sanctuary every day, not letting any of this get the best of her. Happily, she is still full of that little Lizzie spunk!

If you would like to make a donation towards the costs of Liz's treatments and other supplies, please visit her special Wish List page.

 

March 20, 2010

The change of seasons has already begun here at the Sanctuary--the meadows are springing shoots of new green grasses and daffodils are in full bloom. On this, the first official day of spring, we thought we would pay tribute to the end of the Winter of 2010 in video. While the entire east coast saw a succession of record snowfalls throughout the winter, the Girls came out and greeted the phenomenon with their usual wonder and appreciation of all that nature has to offer.

March 18, 2010

Shirley and Tarra's relationship is ever-evolving. Tarra has matured much over the past year, moving out of her "little sister" role, and Shirley has opened up more emotionally, not always needing to be the "strong one" anymore. This growth has made Shirley much softer, but it has not taken anything away from her silly, playful side. Along with sharing stalls inside, spending time in the habitat together, and eating together, this bonded pair still also play together. This one morning, Shirley and Tarra were extra silly and started playing as soon as they got out of the barn--Shirley showing Tarra that even though she has almost 30 years on her, she can keep up, no problem.

February 20, 2010

The cold weather of late was broken up by a stunningly beautiful sunny day in the mid 60s. The girls soaked up the sun and napped on their favorite hillsides, taking advantage of the warmer temperatures. As two caregivers watched, Minnie took the first foray into the pond in a long time. It seems the water was just right. She moved along the edge of the bank for a while before deciding to take the plunge. Once she did, it was all water works from there.

Minnie rolled, bobbed, and did “head” stands for a while. She then spotted a big white ball toy floating at the far end of the pond. She stepped on it, chewed it, and knocked it around the surface, losing herself in the sheer joy of unadulterated play and splashing. She also found a LARGE submerged tree. She decided it would look better on top of the water somewhere, and set about redecorating. She rolled it up against another tree on the bank, and pushed, tugged and shifted it until it was where she wanted it. She even appeared to try to wrap it around an upright tree, creating lots of splashes and loud cracking noises as the trunk began to split under her efforts.

Again, as so often happens, Minnie finished playing as quickly as she had started. Then, she just stood still for a few minutes, perhaps admiring her handy-work, and soon joined Lottie who was eating hay near the bank. Everyone enjoyed the sunny day in their own special way.
 

Watch Slide Show!

February 1, 2010

A winter snow storm covered most of Middle Tennessee, and The Elephant Sanctuary had several inches of snow - a very rare occurrence indeed! When the snow was falling the 3-Sum didn’t seem to think much of it one way or the other. When they came back into the barn, Billie began rubbing up against everything, the walls, other elephants; this activity went on for a while until she was dried off.

The next day when they went out, the snow was icier. Liz was the first out of the barn, and with each step she took, there was a loud crunch. After she had made it a good distance from the barn, she was so pleased with herself that she started kicking up snow, chirping, and bouncing around. This got Billie and Frieda interested enough to follow her (Billie practically sprinted over). Once they were together, all 3 went exploring in the snow, and actually ended up covering more ground then they do on nice days.
 

Watch Slide Show!

January 26, 2010

In her 10 years at the Sanctuary, Sissy has left her past reputation behind and has become known as one of the softest elephants there is. She generally stays along paths, avoiding pushing down small trees and tall grasses. When branches do brush past her face, she daintily closes her eyes as she goes and she relishes her time just standing side by side with her sisters, exchanging occasional gentle touches, her peaceful smile visible from the distance.

Possibly the most apparent display of her sweet and kind nature is her pure friendship with Winkie. In spite of being rejected by other elephants in her past, Sissy was able to open herself completely to Winkie when she arrived and Sissy became an utterly selfless and supportive friend and sister. This is what Winkie truly needed. Their relationship has not only supported Winkie; it has also allowed Sissy to find herself and grow right alongside Winkie.

Sissy arrived as a shell, and has flowered into this deeply beautiful being who has the ability to pull Winkie out of a dark place, give Shirley comfort, get silly with her sisters, and bring a smile to your face—a smile that swells from the inside out.  

Sissy epitomizes unconditional love and radiates a warmth that envelopes those around her. It has been an utter blessing for elephants and caregivers alike that Sissy joined us ten years ago. Happy anniversary, Sissy.

Watch Slide Show!

January 25, 2010

Billie and Frieda spend lots of time together. While Freda naps, Liz protectively stands over Frieda. Sometimes Liz will gently move forward and back, and sometimes she goes from standing next to Frieda to standing directly over her - or even sitting on her!

Watch Slide Show!

January 17, 2010

A snowy January day in Asia. It snowed a bit here last week, but the temperatures were decent, so the ladies got a chance to go out for a bit and play around in the white stuff. It will hopefully be their only snow day this year. The novelty wore out quickly for both eles and caregivers alike.

December 30, 2009

On this cold evening the caregiver decided to take extra precaution to keep the 3sums' barn toasty warm by plugging a drainage hole with hay.  When the caregiver checked on the girls only a few minutes later, she noticed that the drainage hole was open.  Again she re-plugged the hole with hay - this time from the outside so as not to draw attention to the area.  As the caregiver was approaching the door to go back into the barn she looked and saw the hay was disappearing right before her eyes, it was being pulled inside the barn!  When she opened the door she saw Miss Lizzie standing near the back of stall, innocently munching on a very fresh pile of hay. She was wearing a very suspicious grin on her face, of course.  When the caregiver went outside for a third attempt to plug the hole, she felt the hay being pulled away as she was plugging the hole.  She grasped the hay tight and said, "Miss Liz!"  There was a dead silence and then the hay that was being pulled went limp. Lizzie had been discovered, so the case of the disappearing hay was solved and Lizzie was off to see what new mischief she could get into.
 

December 23, 2009

Even though the evenings are chilly, some of our December days have been absolutely stunning. Late afternoon today, just after Tarra and Bella appeared back at their barn, I stood in the woods observing the majesty of this place. The trees were alive with all manner of birds and insects making noises that could be easily heard but more deeply felt by closing your eyes, allowing yourself to drift with the breeze. Silent thunder, the familiar earthly vibration brought me from my daze to the sheer joy that only this vision could bring; Sissy and Winkie moving at a brisk pace, eyes wide with pleasure as they made a bee-line toward me. There were all manner of noises and tears as we greeted. Hearing the rumblings of a reunion, Tarra and Bella quickly joined us. For quite some time we intertwined trunks and hands. I received tender pets as I gave Winkie her favorite of all favorites—a tongue rub. Sissy stood close by, gently extending her foot pad, reassurance elephant-style as Bella barked, demanding her fair share of affection. It was glorious!

The joy lasted for nearly an hour. As the sun began to set, it was time to part. Joy overflowed in the form of warm tears and urgent caresses; parting is always such sweet sorrow. As our eyes met we held the glance and knew, all is well. Tarra, Bella and Sissy turned in the direction of the barn as I slowly turned in the other, holding my hands to my chest in the effort to keep this cherished feeling in my heart. When I turned for one last glance, my heart stopped; tears spilled down my face in a flood and breathing was impossible. With Tarra and Bella already out of sight on their way to the barn and Sissy standing in the middle of the path facing home, Winkie was on the path only a few feet away, following me. I bowed my gratitude to her and urged her to head on home with the others and promised that we would spend time together again soon.

December 4, 2009

November 26, 2009

Minnie has been having a blast with her ele-sized ball. She spends hours entertaining herself, and boy, what a fabulous endorsement she is providing for this indestructible ball. Check out the fun a viewer captured from our EleCam.

 

October 28, 2009

As the new fence project continues Minnie finds every reason to be silly. Her antics catch the fence crew off guard; who would imagine an elephant could have so much fun shoving her face into the mud?

October 3, 2009

September 30, 2009

We can never really know why coincidences occur, but over the years many significant coincidences have occurred at the Sanctuary. Most of these coincidences involve dates, such as an elephant passing on the same date another elephant or caregiver passed. Elephants passing on a caregiver's birthday, or other significant day. There is no explainable connection, but it definitely makes you think, such as, if Bunny were alive we would have celebrated her ten year anniversary yesterday. She is often on our minds but yesterday there was a collective consciousness around our dear Bunny. Lots of people were thinking about Bunny, reading about her on our web site, and reminiscing about her life and the love she shared with everyone who knew her. Even the caregivers reminded the other elephants that "Bunny arrived ten years ago today, we sure miss her".

This morning when the caregiver brought breakfast to the girls in the habitat, Shirley and Tarra were found at Bunny's grave site. They had not visited the site together since Bunny passed and had not been back on their own in several weeks. Coincidence? Most likely, but who can be sure. If dates hold such meaning in our culture who is to say that dates don't hold meaning in other cultures as well. Namaste sweet Bunny.

September 29, 2009

Oh, Bunny! What a loving lady she was. When Bunny and her sisters would hide in the habitat playfully watching their caregiver drive back and forth tracking, Bunny would always be the one who let out that signature squeak, the give-away, telling the caregiver, "Hey, we're over here...hee hee!!! Her silly head shake and ear tickle, was so much a part of Bunny. She would invite the affection and show her caregivers exactly how she liked to play. And gentle—Bunny was as soft as a feather when she was affectionate. She had been loved her entire life, a precious gift for an elephant who spent her entire life in captivity. When Bunny moved from the Mesker Park Zoo, her friends, family and keepers mourned her departure but rejoiced at her good fortune. Bunny always had a playful twinkle in her eye and a huge open heart for everyone, especially her sisters. She is dearly missed.
 

September 11, 2009

Not a day goes by that we are not reminded of Jenny's joy for life and her love of Sanctuary life. Her smiling face is a reoccurring image in our minds, and we cannot help but feel a tug our hearts whenever we see Shirley and remember the special relationship they had with each other. Jenny, we miss you.

August 11, 2009

Tina was a soft and gentle soul. Captive born at the Portland Oregan Zoo, she was sent to live in Vancouver British Columbia at a very young age. Like so many zoo facilities, Tina lived in a seriously impoverished space that did not begin to meet her physical and psychological needs. Over the years she developed quite a fan club, becoming a local celebrity. When the community finally realized that Tina's living conditions were actually the cause of her terminally diseased feet, they rallied in support of moving her to the Elephant Sanctuary.

Although her time with us was short, she blessed us beyond measure and we are eternally grateful to have cared for her.
 
Namaste, sweet Tina.

July 6, 2009

Tarra, Shirley, & Bunny

Ten years ago today Shirley arrived. No one could have imagined the impact this amazingly wise and compassionate elephant would have on our growth and knowledge. Shirley continues to be the matriarch of our family even though at this point her family appears fractured. Now that she has recovered from her deep sorrow of losing both Jenny and Bunny, she has quite a job ahead of her.

Bringing all of the elephants together to live like a family is what Shirley does best, and we know over the next several years Shirley’s wisdom will be spread across all of the elephants and caregivers alike. We can’t wait to see what will develop from her efforts.

Shirley, Tarra and Bella continue to be constant companions, soaking up the sun, savoring the wild weather and enjoying every inch of their habitat.

June 15, 2009

Silly Billie-Sue! Spring has brought out a lighter, more playful side of Billie-Sue. For the past couple of days she has been seen and heard dashing into the pond, trumpeting and thrashing around in the water, and just as energetically dashing back out of the water to play in the sand pile.

Today the elecam caught the rare and hilarious sight of Billie-Sue running from the pond, dripping wet, and discovering the swinging gate as she ran to meet up with Frieda. The open gate has been in that same position for months but today, for what reason we don’t know, Billie decided the gate was the perfect toy. She spent quite some time opening and closing the gate, less than gently, and had a blast doing so. We are happy to provide whatever behavioral enrichment these girls want and today it seems that a simple swinging gate did the trick!

June 14, 2009

Shirley is really doing well. She has been spending all of her time with Tarra, putting in miles every few days as she moved throughout the habitat. She left the northern area where Bunny was buried and traveled down to the lake, spent time in the left and then right field with Tarra and Bella, and then climbed the hill up Lake Road in the direction of the barn.

Tarra and Bella returned to the barn a few days ago to spend time with Misty and Dulary, who have been entertaining themselves with morning baths in Dulary’s pond. After a few hours Tarra and Bella were discovered back with Shirley in the woods on the way back to the lake.

Shirley and Tarra are seldom separated for more than a few hours. Shirley naps several hundred feet off the road in the woods and does not even bother to get up when the 4-wheeler approaches with meals. She knows the caregivers are persistent and will not leave the area until she is located and fed. When Shirley does rise, she has sleepy eyes and a mat of grass stuck to the side of her face; the give-away that she has been sleeping. Shirley is no longer carrying a heavy burden; she is soft and calm and appears to be moving through her grief well.

June 8, 2009

Tarra made a rare appearance at the barn today and headed straight for a reunion with Misty and Dulary. It has been a few weeks since they have seen each other and all seemed pleased to be together. By 10pm Tarra had returned to the habitat to meet up with Shirley who had made her way to the lake. They were both found in left field by the lake contently grazing away.

June 7, 2009

Shirley continues to teach us volumes about life and death, inspiring us once again. After a few days of self imposed isolation Shirley and Tarra are back together again. Shirley hiked a few miles to the lake and then the blackberry gauntlet to meet up with Tarra; they met each other half way. Tarra, true to nature, wanders off in search of adventure daily with gal pal Bella at her heals but spends a great deal of time each day communing with Shirley. For the past few days Tarra has remained with Shirley forgoing her adventures for the time being. This can only be good for the both of them and an obvious change is evident in Tarra who seems to have grown up over night. Being Shirley’s sole companion currently has affected Tarra in ways that will continue to shape her as an individual, encouraging her to move past her cherished position as the pampered child to the more appropriate equal. Shirley is a great mentor and Tarra appears to be receptive to learning more about what it means to be an elephant in an elephant community.

May 24, 2009

Last night was the first time in several weeks that Tarra left Shirley. Prior to Bunny’s death Tarra stayed with her sisters 24/7, a bit contrary to her nomadic tendencies. After Bunny passed, Tarra remained with Shirley who appeared to bring comfort to our aging matriarch, but last night Tarra and Bella set out for the lake. Shirley remained in the area that she, Tarra, and Bunny shared prior to Bunny’s passing. This morning when the water wagon was taken out, Shirley was found sleeping in the shelter a grove of oak trees, nearly hidden from view. She drank and rumbled a little bit and then began to graze on the sparse grass growing in the shade created by the trees. Shirley was subdued; a slight heaviness seems to weigh on her still.

May 20, 2009

Many of you have been asking about Queenie and Zula’s necropsy results. In Queenie's case her gross evaluation uncovered only the smallest clue of a twisted gut; one small area in the intestinal tract that had a slight discoloration. She was not impacted and everything else about her intestinal tract looked normal. Queenie had no organ or intestine problems, no disease process and once the necropsy samples were processed the cause of death was determined to be a twisted gut.
 
Upon gross evaluation during Zula’s necropsy, the focus was drawn to the condition and function of her heart. Just as with Queenie’s necropsy no disease process was found, nor indication that any other organ was problematic. Zula's cause of death was determined to be a pre-existing heart problem.
 

May 17, 2009

Leave a Tribute to Bunny

It is still difficult to believe that our sweet Bunny is gone. Shirley and Tarra continued their vigil from a distance during Bunny’s necropsy today. As we expected, upon gross evaluation Bunny showed no signs of disease. She had some arthritis in her hip joint which would be expected with an elephant of her age, but overall nothing could be found that would suggest that Bunny was suffering from a disease. This information was quite comforting; knowing that Bunny lived a full life and died due to the natural aging process makes her passing a little easier to accept. A full necropsy report will be submitted to the Sanctuary once all of the samples have been processed. Namaste dear, sweet Bunny, and our gratitude for your wisdom in taking Ned with you.

May 16, 2009

Leave a Tribute to Ned

The experience of losing an elephant is difficult even when, like Bunny, they have lived a relatively long life and enjoyed years at the Sanctuary, but losing two of our precious elephants so close together is devastating. We worry about the other elephants, the ones that are left behind, concerned about how the impact of the loss will affect them.

Ned’s passing is especially difficult because of the amount he suffered throughout his young life, how much he missed out on and how little time he had in sanctuary. A part of us is relieved because he no longer will experience the abdominal pain that plagued him for so many years or worry about how horrible he might feel tomorrow. No one would begrudge him letting go of his diseased body even if it meant we never again could be so fortunate as to watch him glide through the pasture or camouflage himself in the woods behind his barn. He deserves to be free from pain.

Ned’s necropsy was performed today by the expert team from Georgia State University. Upon gross examination it was found that Ned suffered a multitude of problems, all centered on his abdomen. The most obvious of his problems lay in his intestinal tract which was seriously diseased with ulcers, much like the ulcers humans develop, and scaring in the area where most of his nutrients would be absorbed if his tract had been healthy. Although Ned did have a scant 4 handfuls of sand in his gut, sand impaction was not one of his conditions. The further into Ned’s intestinal tract the team worked, the more amazed they were by the damage they found. A full necropsy report will be issued to the Sanctuary once all of the samples are processed, but stress is believed to have been a factor in the disease of Ned’s intestinal tract, long-term stress. Another very troublesome finding was the condition of Ned’s pancreas. Before he died our vet team suspected that Ned might be suffering from a diseased pancreas and prescribed diet recommendation to address such a condition. Upon necropsy the team explained that Ned had suffered from his condition for a long time and that by the time he arrived to the Sanctuary his condition was terminal.

Luckily he was able to live his last few months under the attention of caregivers and veterinarians and savor what little time he had left. Ned was one lucky boy to be surrounded my so many people who sincerly cared about him, including the thousand of supporters who loved him unconditionally from afar. Thank you.

May 15, 2009

Ned was with us such a short time and now he is gone. When he crossed over there can be no doubt that he was in the company of his sister-elephant Bunny who passed away only 12 hours before him. Although these two deaths were unrelated on a physical level, on a deeper level they could not be more related. Ned passed away at 3:47am CT in the company of a caregiver. He passed without a struggle, just two deep breaths and a sigh and then he was gone. We feel cheated by the little time we had with Ned but cherish every single moment we were allowed to care for and get to know this most amazing boy/man elephant known as Ned. We love you Ned, Namaste sweet boy.

May 14, 2009

Bunny has blessed this planet with her presence for fifty-seven years. Her humor and gentleness has touched literally thousands of people. In Evansville, IN she was friend to three generations of families that grew up knowing Bunny. Today Bunny left us to join those who have gone before her. Her passing was beautiful to behold. Caregivers held the space for Bunny to transition in her own time her own way. Being present during an elephant's transition is indescribable, a cherished gift; always a profoundly touching experience. With a caregiver at her side Bunny took two long breaths, closed her eyes and passed. Namaste sweet Bunny. The joy you brought can never be measured; your wisdom always remembered.

Ned’s condition has worsened. He cannot rise and he has not eaten or drunk since he lay down on Wed morning. He cannot rise and he has not eaten or drunk since he lay down on Wed morning. The fluids he is receiving are helping to keep him hydrated, but unless he finds the will to rise he will pass. He received antibiotics and steroids today which seemed to bring him more comfort. His pain meds are given at three hour intervals. We will continue our vigil.

May 13, 2009

Every day that Ned is with us is a gift, of that we are sure. To look upon his emaciated body, to know that no matter what he eats he experiences difficulty digesting and absorbing nutrients is difficult to do day after day. Every day feels like a stolen one for him. This morning when caregivers entered Ned’s barn, he was lying on his side on the floor in obvious discomfort. Throughout the day he was made comfortable with fluids, pain meds and an anti-inflammatory. The vet team struggled to determine how to help Ned since his condition remains undiagnosed, so we tried to mask the pain and get him back on his feet. He remains under constant veterinary care and 24 hour caregiver’s supervision.

top

May 12, 2009

Leave a Message for Bunny

Bunny, true to her nature, is moving slowly in her process, spending less and less time consciously with us and more time in a deep sleep. Her fluids have been reduced to a slow drip to allow for an intravenous port for her pain meds. She continues to breathe through her trunk but also has begun to snore periodically. Caregivers are doing their best to hold silent vigil so that Bunny can slip away when she is ready. We honor her process and know that this is Bunny’s passing which will be done in her time, in her way. Shirley and Tarra continue to remain close and are at peace. Seeing Tarra and Shirley share this experience is a gift for all of us. We know that both are helping each other and we cannot help but recognize the gift this is for Tarra, having Shirley lean on her in this emotional way.

May 9, 2009

Bunny rested peacefully through the downpour early this morning, her personal tent protecting her from getting drenched. She remains present and calm. The fluids she is receiving are not enough to sustain her but just enough to keep her comfortable. Many thanks to all of Bunny’s extended family in Evansville, IN who have sent kind words of love and support as their dear Bunny prepares to leave this world.

May 7, 2009

Bunny rested comfortably last night, sharing her resting place with her caregivers. All awoke to find that Bunny had silently collected some caregiver cloths and blankets which she had "too cute to describe" tucked up under her chin. She is present and pain free; we could not ask for more.

top

May 6, 2009

Last Saturday, Bunny, our second to the oldest elephant, resident of the Sanctuary for the past ten years, lay down in one of her favorite areas of the habitat for the final stage of her life. She is now passing. Shirley, her best friend, and Tarra, her little sister, have been keeping vigil while Bunny is tended to 24/7 by veterinarians and caregivers. Her process is being honored as part of the natural cycle that it is.

Bunny is the first resident of the Sanctuary to die of natural causes; old age, a gift and a phenomenon for any elephant living in captivity. Bunny’s passing is not made easier on her family because she has lived a full life, but we are overjoyed that she spent her golden years in a place that she adored, surrounded, cherished by loving individuals; elephants and humans alike.

Bunny is still with us, though she is slowly waning. She is receiving fluids, pain meds, antibiotics, and homeopathic remedies under the authority of her veterinary team.

Her greatest love at the Sanctuary was being outdoors where she has chosen to be in the final stage of her life, in a beautiful valley beside a babbling brook with a huge blue sky overhead.

We honor Bunny’s process. She will be supported through this process until she determines that it is her time to go. Throughout this process her veterinary team will ensure that she experiences no pain.

top

April 30, 2009

It was dark and raining and time for the 10pm feed, but Lottie and Minnie were nowhere in sight. Then a familiar sound was heard coming from the upper pond—splashing at 10pm? In the rain? Who could that be? If the elecam had night vision, viewers would have seen a hilarious sight of Minnie and Lottie splashing around in the pond, plunging their heads deep underwater with their tail-ends breaking the surface. The harder the rain fell, the more excitedly they played. It remains an unexplained phenomena why elephants prefer playing in their ponds during the worst weather, but this preference is shared by all that live at the sanctuary, especially Minnie and Lottie.

On this day in 1996 Barbara arrived at the Sanctuary, our second elephant and the one who would teach us to think with our hearts. She continues to be a cherished inspiration, missed but never forgotten.
...Namaste dear Barbara.

top

We had a scare this morning when a caregiver found Tarra frantically racing up and down a hill where Bella was in some sort of trouble down in the gully. The thick vegetation prevented the caregiver from seeing what, if anything, was wrong with Bella, but by the looks of Tarra’s behavior there was need for concern. Dense overgrowth and a seriously steep incline made access to Bella nearly impossible. Luckily, within minutes Bella appeared crawling through the briars. She ran right toward the 4-wheeler and tried to climb on board. Her white coat had a few spots of fresh blood. At first it appeared that Bella may have been bitten by something large, maybe a coyote.

With Tarra still in a nervous frenzy, Bella was whisked off towards the barn for a closer examination. What a relief to discover that Bella’s wounds were minor and most likely caused by discarded barbwire that we find periodically. Unfortunately, the past land owner used barbwire, and although we have scoured the property clearing the potentially dangerous fence material, we obviously missed this piece. Luckily for Bella, she had only three small wounds that will heal fine.

Tarra was very excited to see her dear friend hours later when Bella came riding up on the 4-wheeler.

top

Liz and Frieda have been enjoying the truckloads of sand that were dumped in their yard recently. Together they have almost completely flattened what once was a mountain of sand and find it really comfortable to sleep on.

Liz & Frieda

It is always shocking to be abruptly distracted from the task at hand by the sudden awareness that one of our beloved elephants passed on this exact day. Such was the experience today, the 1st anniversary of Queenie's passing. Her departure was unexpected and although she left us quickly it took us a great deal of time to accept the loss. Today, as we care for the DIVAS, the elephants that were Queenie's best friends, we are forever grateful to have such a sweet connection to our dear departed friend.

Queenie, Minnie, & Lottie

top

Today we x-rayed Dulary’s toes. She was amazing as usual—responding to verbal requests followed by rewards of praise and chunks of carrots and apples. Dulary cooperatively allowed us to x-ray all ten toes on her front feet. She seemed to enjoy the procedure while Misty watched attentively from the adjacent stall.

X-rays help us to monitor an elephant's foot health, a valuable tool in the fight against osteomyelitis, the captivity-induced disease that kills a high percentage of elephants living in zoos and circuses.

We are pleased to report that Dulary got a clean bill of health. Her toes are perfect!

top

Hopefully some of you were watching the elecam at dusk tonight as Minnie engaged in her latest activity….white tail deer chase. The deer are smart and only let Minnie get close enough to think she can catch them, and then they dart away. She was seen this evening chasing seven wild deer across the pasture, one at a time. The deer make as much a game of it as Minnie. They know her well and have learned that if they split up, one can be playing chase with Minnie while the others eat the bits of grain left behind from the elephant’s 5PM meal. Now that the weather has warmed up, the girls are receiving their evening meals in the habitat. As soon as the deer ran off, Minnie entered the barn with a bellow and her signature trumpet – long and breathy. All of the girls exploded in vocalization; the barn rattled from the volume. Minnie appeared to be quite pleased with herself, as were the white tail deer who silently reappeared in the pasture to finish eating the remaining grain.

Ned is doing great! He has stabilized, enjoying his specialized meals, eating all of his oatmeal and today demonstrated that he has finally developed a taste for pedialite! He is eating his hay in a normal constant manner and remains calm and curious.

Meanwhile in the adjacent barn, Debbie has found her playful side. She discovered Minnie's suspended toy and spent a half hour bashing it around; she and Ronnie had a blast. Each time a caregiver appeared with the camera in-hand, Debbie would freeze like she thought she might be doing something wrong. But soon she was crashing around, showing off her athletic skills in full view of the video camera!

top

Tarra and Bella in the barn

By the volume of emails we have received, it seems everyone was watching CBS news over the weekend. We have been flooded with high fives and uncounted media offers from viewers who saw Tarra and Bella on the Friday night CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and CBS News Sunday Morning. The piece was wonderful, causing another wave of conscience-raising. This time the subject was not about the deprived lives of elephants living in captivity, but rather about the enormous depth of emotion experienced between Tarra and her dog Bella.

Since Bella and Tarra’s recent television exposure, a lot of people have asked how the spinal injury happened. When Bella was found in a shallow ravine in the elephant habitat, unable to walk, she was rushed to the veterinary hospital. X-rays revealed that she had sustained a spinal injury. The absence of deep tissue damage and puncture wounds led the veterinarian to surmise that Bella's spinal injury was the result of an awkward twist, most likely sustained when she was running and jumping over something. His explanation seemed quite plausible since Bella has been observed on many occasions running off into the woods in hot pursuit of something, jumping over numerous fallen trees and navigating around the huge depressions left from their exposed roots. The good news is that Bella has recovered from her injury.

YouTube Video : Tarra & Bella

Video from CBS News