EAI to Create Self-Sustaining Foot Care Program in Thailand


If you've followed Elephant Aid International (EAI) for any length of time, you'll know that founder and CEO Carol Buckley makes regular trips to Asia both to do foot care and to teach elephant mahouts (handlers) and owners to do their own.
 
Carol's goal has always been for owners to set up their own self-sustaining in-house programs in which mahouts monitor and maintain their elephants' foot health. Until now, however, the owners have been satisfied with Carol coming once or twice a year to teach foot care.
 
In Thailand, this is about to change.
 
Most resort and elephant owners want the ability to keep their elephants healthy on their own.
 
As a result, Carol will spend February and March in Thailand working with elephant owners to create their own in-house foot care programs at resorts.
 
Carol and her team of professionals will teach owners and mahouts the four steps of foot care:
  • building foot trimming apparatuses
  • training their elephants to present their feet for trimming
  • evaluating their elephants' foot health and
  • trimming feet
By teaching the mahouts the entire foot care process, they will be able, with the owners' support, to take over the care of their elephants' feet.
 
We invite you to support this long-awaited exciting development by supporting EAI's Elephant Foot Care Program in Thailand next month.
 
Your donation will go to direct costs for Carol to provide the program, such as educational materials, travel, housing and food and foot trimming tools.
 
What's most exciting is that this new program can be a model for similar programs in other countries. Which makes your donation an investment in changing the lives of working elephants...one elephant at a time.
 
Thank you as always.
Meet ERNA's First Intern


EAI is excited to announce that Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) has its first intern.

Yuxuan Lu, who goes by Lou, was born and raised in Beijing, China. He moved to the United States in 2014 to study film, specializing in postproduction. Lou will archive our videos and photos from which he will create video content for our Facebook page and website. He will create short videos describing and documenting our many projects in Asia. A video tour of Elephant Refuge North America is top on his list. And, when elephants retire to ERNA, Lou will document their arrival and rehabilitation. We are pleased to have Lou join us and look forward to the content he will create to share with all of you.
Elephant Coats Arrive in Nepal - More Needed


EAI's first shipment of elephant coats arrived in Nepal on January 18.

A calf named Gopa Prasade received the first coat. He has had problems gaining and maintaining weight and is severely underweight. He is under veterinary care and we're so happy his coat will help keep him warm until spring arrives.

Rup Kali received the second coat. She is the government's oldest elephant and is also having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. As a result, she is easily chilled.

Some ask why an elephant needs a coat. Similar to us, thin, aged and infirm individuals may need a little extra help staying warm when temperatures drop.

A total of five adults, who do anti-poaching patrols for the Nepal government in Chitwan National Park, and two young calves needed coats. Thanks to you, our generous supporters, Gopa Prasad and Rup Kali have theirs. And two more coats were recently shipped to Nepal.

But three more elephants still need coats. Please help us cover the costs.
  • $250 pays for one insulated waterproof coat.
  • $75 pays to ship the coat directly from the manufacturer to the elephant in Nepal.
Regardless of how much or how little you can afford, every donation takes us closer to our goal. Together we can make a difference and improve the lives of these elephants.
Fun Elephant Fact: Skill Building!

Just in case you missed it, we're sharing one of our most popular Fun Facts Friday Facebook posts.
 
Did you know elephants must learn the skills they need to survive by watching and learning from their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and siblings?

This little guy was born at the Khorsor breeding center in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. His mother works as an anti-poaching patrol elephant. His father is Renaldo, the wild bull who visits the hattisar (elephant stable) daily to mate with the cycling females.

This six-month-old baby doesn't have a name yet (some calves are not named for at least one year) but he has certainly captured the hearts of many, elephants and humans alike.
The Best Valentine for Your Favorite Elephant Lover

Say "I love you" with an EAI Valentine Honor Gift. Not only will your gift express your love, it'll also help give the gift of joy to elephants in need. You can send the card to your friends and loved ones by email, or we'll send you a PDF you can print and drop in the mail.

As always, we greatly appreciate your interest, commitment and help. You make our work for elephants possible. Thank you!
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