This year has been busy for EAI - thanks to your ongoing support, elephants in both Thailand and Nepal are now living chain free.
EAI November eNews
 
2015 has been a busy year for Elephant Aid International (EAI). Thanks to your ongoing support, elephants in both Thailand and Nepal are now living a chain-free life. And there's more to come! We have lots of hands-on work to do before year's end - read on!
Update: New Elephant Sanctuary Search Continues

EAI founder Carol Buckley has made several road trips to view prospective properties for our new sanctuary project. Southern states with a warm climate offer the best options with their rolling hills, plentiful rainfall, long growing season (resulting in lush pastures) and the thick forests our elephants will need for a healthy and happy life. Stay tuned for more news as it develops by visiting our website www.elephantaidinternational.org or by liking our Facebook page:
Lambodhar Prasad Project: Freeing Nepal's Chain Gang

In December, EAI founder Carol Buckley will return to Nepal. There, nine full-grown ivory carrying captive-held male elephants remain shackled in chains awaiting their freedom in Nepal.
 
The bulls' long tusks do not conduct electricity so they can easily dismantle solar-powered corrals. That means they must have a specialized design: a corral constructed of heavy-duty steel pipe.
 
In a first-of-its-kind pilot project, the eldest of the bulls, 60-year-old Lambodhar Prasad, will receive his own chain-free four-acre steel pipe enclosure within Chitwan National Park.
 
Of all elephants in captivity, perhaps males suffer the most. Because of their strength, combined with their volatility during musth (heightened testosterone levels), bulls historically have led chained lives of misery, which is why Lambodhar Prasad's project has such huge ramifications.
 
Before we can set Lambodhar Prasad free, we must raise the funds to buy the materials. Learn more and donate.
Chains Come Off in Nepal and Thailand

Working side by side with Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Elephant Aid International and our team of international volunteers successfully transformed fifteen outdoor hattisars (elephant stables) into chain-free corrals, releasing 48 working elephants from chains forever. (Read about the experience of one of EAI's Free the Elephants volunteers.)  

In Thailand, EAI built chain-free corrals at Friends of the Asian Elephants and Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary, both highly respected, progressive organizations, giving seventeen elephants a new life of freedom and autonomy! Every release is different but they are all exciting and joyful.
Making Chain Free Means Pain Free Sustainable

For elephants to remain chain free, the solar-powered corrals must be operational at all times.
 
EAI is very excited to announce that we have contracted with a monitoring and evaluation officer to oversee the maintenance and functionality of the corrals. This important position has been filled by Kulendra Kunwar, a highly qualified Nepali citizen who spent several weeks assisting with the construction of our solar powered chain-free corrals at the Khorsor hattisar (elephant stable) earlier this year. Kulendra will visit and inspect each chain-free enclosure in Chitwan National Park on a regular schedule, working alongside the mahouts to maintain the fences and make any necessary repairs.
Giving Pachyderm Pedicures

When she's back in Nepal in December, EAI founder Carol Buckley will provide bi-annual pedicures for nearly 200 private and government owned elephants near Chitwan National Park in collaboration with partner National Trust for Nature Conservation. Carol will be joined by several international veterinarians and elephant keepers who want to develop their foot trimming skills. Together they will trim feet and teach mahouts about foot health.
 
EAI in the NEWS