Left to Right: Bo, Tarra and Mala
Culmination of 10-year legal battle
ATTAPULGUS, GA, December 9, 2021: Carol Buckley has moved her elephant Tarra to Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA), an 850-acre natural habitat refuge in Attapulgus, GA. Tarra joins Bo, a 34-year-old castrated male elephant who arrived at the Refuge in September.
The Refuge, the newest elephant sanctuary in the U.S., is a project of Elephant Aid International, which Buckley founded in 2010. Buckley, an internationally recognized authority in the rescue, rehabilitation and welfare of captive-held elephants, develops innovative models for elephant care, training and handling. Her innovative methods are widely copied and adapted for a variety of captive situations in both the U.S. and Asia.
Buckley co-founded and led the nation’s first natural habitat elephant sanctuary, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, for its first 15 years. Her management philosophy — providing elephants autonomy, physical freedom and as natural a life as possible in captivity – attracted international acclaim, bringing the concept of sanctuary to the public consciousness.
In 2010, Buckley was replaced as CEO. She hoped the Sanctuary would maintain the same high standards of care she set so that Tarra could remain there. But the board of directors drastically changed the Sanctuary’s management philosophy and reneged on the agreement granting Buckley regular visits with Tarra.
Over the next 10 years, Buckley was allowed one brief court-ordered welfare check.
Now 47 years old, Tarra is more susceptible to progressive diseases such as arthritis and osteomyelitis [terminal bone disease] that are common in captive-held elephants who spend winter months confined in barn spaces on hard surfaces. Buckley felt it urgent to relocate Tarra before her diagnosed osteoarthritis progressed further.
On November 18, Buckley relocated Tarra to Elephant Refuge North America in Georgia. The mild climate allows the elephants to be outdoors virtually all year, exploring its varied landscape of pastures, woods, streams, ponds and a lake.
Tarra rode in a custom designed elephant transport trailer. When she and her convoy arrived at the Refuge late that night, she took two steps out of the trailer and then seemed to hesitate.
“Hey, babe, it’s me!” Carol exclaimed. Tarra immediately left the trailer, vocalizing her excitement at being reunited with her dearest friend. The two resumed the conversation that had been abruptly severed 10 years before, as though not a day had passed since they’d last spoken.
“Tarra’s wellbeing has always led my decision making for her,” said Buckley. “As she ages, we have to acknowledge and address her changing health concerns, just as with an aging human being. Given that Asian elephants can live into their seventies and even eighties, I want to keep Tarra healthy and happy for many years to come.”
Tarra joined the Refuge’s first resident, Bo, a 34-year-old castrated male elephant and retired circus performer, who arrived in September. The two quickly developed a relaxed friendship and are never too far apart in the 100-acre habitat they currently occupy, accompanied by Mala, a stray dog who chose the Refuge as her home earlier this year. Eventually the trio will have access to the Refuge’s full 850 acres.
Buckley is documenting Tarra, Bo and Mala’s daily lives in EleDiaries (https://elephantaidinternational.org/category/ele-diaries/). You can also learn more about Tarra at https://elephantaidinternational.org/elephant-tarra.
About Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA): The Refuge is a project of Elephant Aid International. Its 850 acres of lush pastures, forests, creeks and spring-fed lakes provide a natural environment in which captive-held elephants can retire and thrive.
About Elephant Aid International (EAI): Carol Buckley founded EAI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in 2010 to improve the lives of captive elephants worldwide. EAI enlists scientists, veterinarians, mahouts [elephant handlers] and owners in improving elephant welfare. EAI also provides education and hands-on assistance to improve elephants’ care, training and handling. Learn more at http://elephantaidinternational.org.
Southern Georgia is no place for elephants. There is a reason this place sat empty for years after she bought it. Before anyone applauds this story, read about Carol Buckley and the last place she ran, the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary. There have been numerous lawsuits and allegations. I have no idea how she got approved to have elephants in Attapulgus, but it shouldn’t have been allowed.
https://bringingnoseyhome.weebly.com/truth-about-tes.html ________________
https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=253&show=4 ______________
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/325/454/366/please-leave-tarra-at-tennessee-elephant-sanctuary.-its-her-home-and-her-family…/
Carol and Tarra have been together since the 1970’s. Carol literally rescued Tarra. The Elephant Sanctuary was founded by Carol with Tarra in mind. As TES grew and people became members of the board not affiliated with animal rescue, TES fired Carol and then would not let Carol visit Tarra. Kudos to Carol for starting a new sanctuary for Elephants. The courts agreed with Carol
If by “rescued” you mean Carol was a circus performer and made the Tarra perform as well, then yeah you are correct. I wouldn’t call that “rescuing” by any means. It was selfish of Carol to take this elephant away from the place she has lived, known, and been cared for for 26 years, had other elephant companions, etc. Why uproot her, stress her out in this new environment- what would that do except to gratify Carol’s selfishness? You know nothing about TES and your statement that they are not affiliated with animal rescue is laughable.
Carol and Tarra belong together as any other human with their pet. I will applaud Carol and everything she has done for so many elephants her entire life. God has watched and blessed this woman and Tarra’s return to her is a super story for those of us who have followed their story for many years. Best Wishes to a wonderful person.
Carol Buckley put Tarra through rollerskating, into circuses, on TV, in film, print ads and had people ride her and forced her to paint. All of this is publicly documented. She used a bullhook on Tarra regularly during two decades. NO ONE who has done these things to Tarra should EVER have custody of her. Miss Buckley is wrong. Can you imagine Tarras fear everytime she sees her? As we know and Carol repeats “elephants never forget”
I want to run out to those woods and take Tarra and keep her in my back yard just so she is far far away from that woman! People are calling this woman a hero after the 20+ years of hell she put this sweet Tarra thru. She is probably so terrified and now lonely. I’m so sick about this 🙁
Carol Buckley is a hero and her sanctuary is a wonderful place where elephants can roam as they all should and other wild animals can live in peace and the land is saved from destruction and development
I wasn’t aware there was land being saved from all of the development and destruction happening in Attapulgus, Georgia. Moot talking point with no substance behind the words.
Is this not the same woman who purchased Tarra, then trained her to be a performance elephant and spent 20 years traveling with her and having poor sweet Tarra perform at Circuses, amusement parks, zoos and advertising?! And yous are calling this woman a hero?!!!!
I’m so confused!!! Is this not the same woman who purchased Tarra, then trained her to be a performance elephant and spent 20 years traveling with her and having poor sweet Tarra perform at Circuses, amusement parks, zoos and advertising?! And yous are calling this woman a hero?!!!! Shame on you Carol Buckley for calling yourself an animal rehabilitator/healer!!!!
As a long time supporter of The Elephant Sanctuary, I am not sure how I feel about Tarra being displaced and given to Ms. Buckley after so many years. I definitely have mixed emotions right now.