EAI Founder and CEO Carol Buckley explains to the Primera Hora audience how ERNA is tailor-made for elephants.
Mundi holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Puerto Rico. So it's no surprise that some Puerto Ricans are skeptical about moving her off the island. Fortunately, Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares recently reaffirmed that he stands by his decision to move Mundi to Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA).
When Puerto Rico's newspaper Primera Hora interviewed EAI Founder and CEO Carol Buckley earlier this month, she used it as an opportunity to speak directly to Puerto Ricans.
"Your hearts are in the right place," she said. "You're hesitant and you don't want her to go. All I can say is, I appreciate how you feel for Mundi and I guarantee that once you see her here and you see how she thrives here, your minds will change and you will be exceedingly happy."
ERNA's elephant barn will house multiple functions under one roof. It will be the central location for rehabilitation, quarantine and veterinary and hospice care, as well as warm shelter for the elephants during the rare chilly nights.
To fulfill its multiple functions, the barn needs the right finishing touches. From specialized covers for the infrared lamps so elephants can sleep undisturbed to eco-friendly water heaters, we've carefully researched the best items that will make the elephants comfortable and allow our caregivers to give them the best care.
Please visit our Barn Wish List to see how you can help us create a state-of-the-art barn worthy of Mundi and our future residents.
We are honored that two authorities on holistic elephant care have joined EAI's Integrative Health Team.
Dr. Ali Mobasheri is professor of musculoskeletal physiology in the Faculty of Health andMedical Sciences at the University of Surrey, UK, and president-elect of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI). Between 2012 and 2017, he co-ordinated the European Union 7th Framework Programme-funded D-BOARD consortium, which brought together leading European academic institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to focus on the identification, validation and qualification of new biomarkers for degenerative and inflammatory diseases of joints. His research has far-reaching implications for humans, captive-held elephants and other animals who suffer from osteoarthritis.
Dr. Kushal Konwar (K.K.) Sarma, also known as the Elephant Doctor of Assam, has devoted his life to the well-being of India's Asian elephants individually and as a species. Dr. Sarma is an elephant veterinarian and professor of surgery and radiology at the College of Veterinary Science in Assam, India. He is highly respected for his research and hands-on elephant care, treating more than 600 elephants a year.
October 4 is World Animal Day. Why don't you celebrate by making a pledge to volunteer at ERNA and help us complete this beautiful new elephant refuge?
There are more than 400 captive elephants in the U.S. whose lives would change radically for the better in an environment designed specifically to meet their needs. ERNA is eager to open its doors to any elephants who need refuge, but we still have work to do to finish making the land safe.
Volunteer Days are full of hard work and incredibly rewarding.
