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GOOD NEWS is everywhere, you just have to look past the barrage of bad news as it gets higher billing, grabs the headlines and occupies the spotlight. But here at Elephant Aid International we're sharing some of the great things going on in the world of elephants. Today we celebrate the GOOD NEWS many of you helped bring to life.
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Nepal Elephants Update - 7 Food Drops and Counting!
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| Watch Lucky Kali, ChanChal Kali and Maya Kali delight in their produce goodies. All three girls are residents of Direct Aid Nepal. |
As EAI subscribers know, your generosity has helped us provide supplemental food since the beginning of May to privately-owned elephants in the tourism industry. While tourism is at a standstill due to the coronavirus, the produce the elephants receive through this program is essential to their health. Working with long-time EAI volunteers Shanti and Raju Chaudhary, local farmers, and members of the community, we have completed seven food drops of supplemental produce to captive-held elephants in Sauraha, Nepal.
Did you know that $5 can buy a 50-pound bag of fresh produce in Nepal? That's enough supplemental food for an elephant for 2 days. Every penny donated to our
Help Elephants in Nepal Campaign
will go toward feeding elephants in Sauraha and supporting the local farmers and laborers. Every donation, no matter the size, counts!
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Volunteer Spotlight - Raju and Shanti Chaudhary
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| The Chaudhary family, left to right, nani (a term of endearment), Shanti, Raju, Carol Buckley and Paspat |
For more than 10 years, Raju, Shanti and three generations of the Chaudhary family have been the backbone of EAI's work in Nepal. From crocheting hay nets for chain free corrals, to sewing blankets for sick elephants, to organizing and managing our current supplemental food program, no task is too great. Their ability to find creative solutions, along with the energy and passion they bring to improving elephant welfare in Nepal, has led to the success of so many of EAI's projects.
The desire to help elephants runs in their family. Raju's father, Paspat, was Suba (senior elephant/mahout supervisor) at National Trust for Nature Conservation for 20 years. During his service, Paspat helped create the first chain free corrals in Nepal. He also oversaw the first elephant trained with positive reinforcement in Nepal thanks to EAI's Compassionate Elephant Care system. Paspat is a forward thinker whose experience and skill set created positive change for the elephants under his care.
Thank you is not enough for this beautiful family. We hope you join us in our appreciation and send them thoughts of love and warm wishes!
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Direct Aid Nepal (DAN) Adopts Another Elephant
Maya Kali is one of the youngest privately-owned elephants living in captivity in Nepal. Regardless of a physical handicap which left her nearly crippled, Maya Kali was used for tourist rides for many years. But the GOOD NEWS is that Direct Aid Nepal successfully negotiated for her release. Maya Kali is the 6
th
elephant to be rescued by DAN. In a split second, her life changed, all for the better. She now has a new gentler mahout and ChanChal Kali and Lucky Kali have welcomed her with open trunks. And to make her life even more fulfilling, Maya Kali spends her days choosing where to graze, when to swim, and who to interact with. Thank you Direct Aid Nepal.
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| Watch Lucky Kali, ChanChal Kali and Maya Kali share water from their new trough. |
Last week, DAN realized Maya Kali needed an in-corral water source. Raju, Shanti and Carol brainstormed for an immediate solution and came up with a creative idea. Solutions don't have to be complicated. Just work with what you have!
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Bannerghatta Biological Park
Many of you remember Sunder's rescue and EAI's involvement in the design and construction of the 150-acre chain free enclosure at Bannerghatta Biological Park in India. What a joy to release not only Sunder from chains, but also the family of 14 other elephants.
The GOOD NEWS last week is that Sunder continues to educate: "Researchers at the Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park recently observed novel use of tools among some of its 23 resident Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus) for hitherto unseen 'problem solving'." Read the All India article.
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July Special Sightings - Rare Elephant Twins Born in Kenya and Sri Lanka
With just a 1% chance of twinning, the news of two elephant twin sightings in July is news worth sharing. We heard from our friends at the
Amboseli Trust for Elephants
that they had sighted a set of twin boys born to Pazia while conducting research earlier this month near Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
A day later, rangers at Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka also reported a rare
sighting of twins.
Both sets of twins appear to be healthy and that makes us happy. We hope it does the same for you.
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As always, we greatly appreciate your interest, commitment and help. You make our work for elephants possible. Thank you!
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