The Best Way to Help an Elephant

We all love elephants. We share pictures. We sign online petitions. We’re outraged when they’re abused in the circus or killed for their ivory. Some people make signs and protest when the circus comes to town or march to raise awareness. That’s great, because everything helps. But what do elephants really need the most?

Captive elephants need sanctuary and healthcare. In the wild, they need to be protected from poachers and other human/elephant conflict. This takes a lot of effort by experts. Even more than effort, it takes resources. That means money.

The best way you can help an elephant is to help provide for their care and protection. There are a variety of professionals working right now to provide that care, and they all need your donations. 

These are some of our favorites. Please consider sending them a donation whenever you can. Just click on the name of the organization.

Elephant Aid International

Carol Buckley has dedicated her life to providing a safe haven for elephants. She is currently working in Asia to create chain-free corrals for working elephants. Her new project is creating a chain-free environment in India for Sunder. 

Wildlife SOS

You certainly know about Raju, the elephant who was recently rescued after 50 years in chains. Wildlife SOS is caring for him at their sanctuary in India. His medical needs, food and care are quite expensive. Wildlife SOS offers a variety of monthly support levels. Even your one-time donation will be greatly appreciated.

Friends of the Asian Elephant

Founded by Soraida Salwala, this is the first hospital in the world just for elephants. Working elephants in Thailand can get medical care free of charge. This is important because taking elephants away from their work is a financial burden. Two of their most famous patients and now permanent residents are Mosha and Motala. Each of them lost a leg in land mine accidents and they now walk with the help of prostheses. FAE gets no government funding, so they rely entirely on private donations to offer free medical care. You can learn more about the hospital on Twitter and Facebook.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The elephant ivory trade often leaves innocent victims, orphaned baby elephants. These babies were entirely dependent on their mothers and would normally be unable to survive. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues and raises these orphans until they can be reintegrated back into the wild. You can sponsor an orphan and receive monthly updates on its progress. 

Big Life Foundation

Founded by acclaimed wildlife photographer Nick Brandt, Big Life has been very successful in tracking down and arresting poachers in Kenya and Tanzania. Your help is needed to protect elephants over 2 million acres in Africa. It is said that rampant poaching will cause the extinction of the African Elephant in 10 to 20 years. Big Life Foundation is one of the best organizations working to stop this massive killing.

Performing Animal Welfare Society

The ARK 2000 sanctuary in Northern California provides a safe forever home for elephants and a variety of other exotic animals rescued from the entertainment business. Founded by the late Pat Derby and her partner Ed Stewart, this is the only sanctuary in the US that provides a home for rescued bull elephants. 

This list is by no means comprehensive, but your money will be responsibly used by these organizations. Whether you choose any of these or another that you know to be reputable, we hope that you will be as generous with your financial support as you are with your time and love. Thank you for helping elephants.

Can This Elephant Be Saved?

This article was originally posted at HelpanElephant.com on April 21, 2010.

The decision has been made, paper work has been signed, and the judge has agreed to the plan. Queenie must be delivered to the San Antonio Zoo no later than Monday, April 26. Done deal, right? Maybe not. Tens of thousands of people just like you and me have voiced their opposition to this action. We’ve called Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, sent emails and faxes to his office, signed petitions and encouraged our friends to join us. The animal activists who worked on arranging Queenie’s transfer to a sanctuary haven’t given up. They’re still hard at work exploring every avenue to have this agreement rescinded. In Defense of Animals sent a letter to Sec’y Vilsack, clearly explaining why Queenie should not be sent to this zoo. Pat Derby, Director of PAWS, the Performing Animal Welfare Society, has written a letter to the USDA reminding them of her formal offer to accept Queenie. The original offer was made six months ago, describing the facilities and level of care that would be provided to Queenie. The elephants currently residing there roam over peaceful hillsides and valleys, enjoying the varied terrain that builds strength and stamina while healing foot conditions that are common in confined zoo enclosures. They are not put on display or expected to perform for the public. Now, even higher profile voices have entered the discussion. Bob Barker, Emmy award winning television host, is speaking out, asking that the situation be corrected. He had this to say:

"Secretary Vilsack, Queenie has already suffered at the hands of humans. She has endured a lifetime of captivity in traveling shows. You have a unique opportunity to do the right thing for this beautiful animal. Please send her to the PAWS sanctuary to live out her sunset years. And my pledge to you is that it won't cost the United States government a penny."

Joyce Poole, the noted elephant expert and Director of Elephant Voices, also weighed in on the needs of elephants. In a letter she reminded the Secretary of the USDA’s mandate to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, which is intended to protect animals from inhumane treatment and conditions. She pointed out that the choice is between a facility designed for the long term care and rehabilitation of elephants or a zoo that has been described as one of the worst places for elephants. Will Secretary Vilsack listen to these people who know about the needs of elephants? Or is he listening to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums? They’ve done nothing to monitor circuses for abuse. They’ve done nothing to protect elephants and other animals forced to perform for abusive and neglectful owners. The AZA wants to acquire more elephants to stock their zoos. There is no conservation in taking in an older elephant. They want her for entertainment value. It’s vital for Queenie’s health that she be allowed to retire to a sanctuary. PAWS had an agreement in place before the USDA intervened. Please continue to call the USDA at 202-720-3631, send a fax to 202-720-2166, email them at agsec@usda.gov. Sign the petition. Tell a friend about Queenie and ask them to contact the USDA and Sec’y Vilsack. Do it today. Do it right now. Let’s melt the phone lines, wear out the fax machine and flood his inbox. Can this elephant be saved? I have to believe the answer is “Yes”.