News:
For Immediate Release

Contact: Carol Buckley

Hohenwald, Tenn--(July 23, 2006) For eight years, thirty-six year old Joanna Burke was the primary caregiver for the The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's herd of rescued Asian elephants. Joanna died on July 21 following a tragic accident involving Winkie, one of her elephants. Scott Blais, Founding Director and elephant caregiver at the Sanctuary, was also injured in the accident but has been released from the hospital with minor injuries.

Funeral services for Joanna will be held on Wednesday July 26 at the McDonald Funeral Home, 20 West 2nd Street in Hohenwald. Visitation will be from 9-11am, and funeral services begin at 11am. "A Gathering to Celebrate Joanna’s Life" will begin at 12:30 pm at Meriwether Lewis Park picnic area off Highway 20, to celebrate in a place that Joanna loved to hike and be with the natural world she loved so much.  There will be a private burial for family and Joanna's co-workers on Sanctuary grounds at sunset.

On the morning of Friday July 21, Joanna Burke and Scott Blais readied the water trailer that is used in the habitat as the elephants' mobile water source. This supplemental watering system is part of the regular morning routine which includes a non-invasive visual examination of each elephant. Upon examination, Scott Blais found that Winkie's right eyelid was quite swollen, almost to the point of preventing her from seeing out of that eye. It appeared that she had been stung or bitten by something during the night. Several weeks before, another elephant was found with a similar condition. In Tarra's case, the swelling went down to normal in less than 24 hours. The vet concluded it was some kind of insect bite, possibly fire ants. Scott Blais made a close physical examination of Winkie's eyelid which was tender to the touch. After completing the examination, Scott sat down on the tailgate of the water trailer while Joanna proceeded to water Winkie by handing her the water hose; all standard procedure. There was nothing out of the ordinary in this morning routine and Winkie appeared very calm. Joanna moved around to Winkie's right side to look at her eye but she did not intend to touch Winkie’s eye. Without warning, Winkie spun around and struck Joanna across the chest and face. Joanna fell backwards and Winkie stepped on her, killing her instantly. Scott Blais immediately tried to intervene and sustained a minor injury to his foot which required a cast.

Carol Buckley, the Sanctuary’s Executive Director and the Lewis County emergency services were immediately summoned. Scott was taken to Maury Regional hospital and later released with an ankle fracture and numerous bruises.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Lewis County Sheriff's Department have fully investigated the incident and have found that the Sanctuary is in full compliance with all regulations. Joanna's death has been determined to be an accident.

Joanna shared the Sanctuary's philosophy that Winkie will not be punished for her actions but managed in a way that keeps another innocent caregiver out of harms' way.

Joanna made it perfectly clear in word and deed that no harm should come to any elephant no matter their action. 

Joanna's mother Carol Burke thanked Sanctuary co-founders Carol and Scott for giving Joanna the opportunity of a lifetime to do work that made her so happy. Joanna's work was a passion, the Sanctuary was her home.

Winkie's behavior is consistent with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Recently, noted PTSD expert Gay Bradshaw is working collaboratively with the Sanctuary to study and better understand the results of trauma on elephants. Gay Bradshaw represents that captive elephants that are subject to early age trauma or abuse can suffer from PTSD.

Joanna has left her heart print on our hearts and on our souls. All who loved her, elephant and human, are struggling with our loss.

####