PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
February 2020 | Newsletter
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L-R: African elephants Lulu, Maggie and Toka.
There are only six African elephants in the U.S. and Canada who are older than 50-year-old Toka. Lulu is one of them, at age 54.
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African Elephant Toka Turns 50!
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PAWS is celebrating a milestone birthday for African elephant Toka, who turns 50 this year (the exact date is unknown because she was born in the wild). It’s easy to identify Toka, who spends her time with Maggie and Lulu – she’s the one with the elegant, long tusks. You can often see her grab a bundle of hay and tuck it under one of her tusks – then snack on the hay as she walks.
Toka was born into a wild elephant family in Mozambique but captured at about age two – one of many calves orphaned after their mothers were slaughtered in a government cull. Normally, female elephants remain with their mothers for life. Only four years old, Toka arrived at the Toronto Zoo and was thrust into a sometimes threatening social environment where she spent the next 39 years. After the zoo’s elephant program was ended, Toka was transferred to PAWS, along with Thika (who now spends her time with Mara) and the late Iringa, arriving in October 2013.
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We like to think that Toka has finally found “family” here at PAWS. She is close with Maggie and Lulu and wants to always be near them. Perhaps Toka finds comfort in the company of the two elephants, who were also separated from their wild mothers, as well as the peace and quiet of nature found in their spacious habitat at the ARK 2000 sanctuary. We’re glad she’s here.
We’re hoping to raise $5,000 for the elephants at PAWS in honor of Toka’s 50
th
birthday. Whether you give $50 or $5 for Toka’s 50
th
– your gift makes a difference!
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Remembering PAWS Co-founder Pat Derby
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PAWS’ co-founder, the late Pat Derby, lost her battle with cancer seven years ago this month. Together with PAWS President and Co-founder Ed Stewart, she was a driving force for the protection of captive wild animals and opened the world’s eyes to their exploitation and abuse.
Once a Hollywood animal trainer, Pat became so disturbed by the behind-the-scenes mistreatment of captive wildlife that she wrote a tell-all book,
The Lady and Her Tiger
(1976), exposing the ugly truth. Leaving Hollywood behind, Pat and Ed toured the U.S. educating people about the plight of wild animals used in entertainment, before founding PAWS in 1984.
There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think of Pat or draw strength from her fearlessness in the face of the circus industry or anyone else who would harm a captive wild animal. We fondly remember the incredible connection she had with the animals we care for at our three sanctuaries. Pat may be gone but she remains an inspiration for all of us at PAWS and will always be in our hearts.
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Save the Date!
2020 PAWS International
Captive Wildlife Conference:
Special Elephant Summit
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Save the date for November 14-16, 2020, when PAWS presents its 2020 International Captive Wildlife Conference in San Andreas, California. This conference will focus on all things elephant, including aspects of elephant captivity, wild elephant captures for export to zoos, legal strategies, and how we can create a better future for all elephants.
PAWS is very pleased to announce that Dr. Joyce Poole, Co-founder and Co-Director of
ElephantVoices
, will be delivering a keynote presentation.
Dr. Poole is an elephant research scientist who has studied the social behavior and communication of elephants for more than 40 years.
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more information on the many incredible speakers from around the world who will appear at the conference.
This special Elephant Summit will span two days, November 14 and 15, with an optional visit to the ARK 2000 sanctuary on November 16. The event includes an ice breaker, the opportunity to meet the experts, and networking with other elephant advocates. But most of all, you will become part of the conversation on the future of captive elephants.
Stay tuned for more information on the conference, speakers, registration, lodging and more.
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The Los Angeles City Council
unanimously passed a ban on wild animal acts and the use of wild animals as party props. PAWS has been working on this ordinance since its inception in 2016 and thanks Councilmember David Ryu for introducing this much needed ordinance. We continue to work with the City to ensure that the spirit and letter of the ordinance is preserved.
The Gaithersburg City Council in Maryland
passed a prohibition on wild animal exhibits in traveling shows. This ban brings the city in line with Montgomery County’s animal ordinance that prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses.
PAWS is excited to report that the
Whale Sanctuary Project
has selected a location for North America’s first sanctuary for captive whales.
Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, was determined to be the best site to create a seaside sanctuary for whales being retired from entertainment parks. The organization aims to have the sanctuary ready to receive whales by the end of 2021. The plan to locate a sanctuary in Nova Scotia comes in the wake of the Canadian Parliament passing Bill S-203 in 2019 to bring an end to keeping whales and dolphins captive in Canada. PAWS President Ed Stewart and Director of Science, Research and Advocacy Catherine Doyle are proud to serve on the advisory team for the Whale Sanctuary Project.
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Legislative Bills that Need Your Help
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Massachusetts
– If you live in the state, please contact your state senator and representative and urge their support for H.2934/S.2028, sponsored by
State Senators Bruce Tarr and James Welch and Representatives Lori Ehrlich and Bradley Jones,
to end the use of elephants, big cats, primates, bears, and giraffes in traveling shows. For more information, visit the
MSPCA’s web page
. Locate your state legislators
here
.
Big Cat Public Safety Act
(HR 1380 - federal) – Please contact your senator and representative in Washington, DC, and urge them to champion this important bill to ensure that unqualified individuals are prohibited from obtaining and keeping dangerous big cats and to prohibit the use of cubs for the public to feed, pet, or take photos with. Currently, state laws regarding the private ownership of big cats are inconsistent or nonexistent, making a federal law necessary. Click
here
to locate your federal legislators.
Special note:
If you live in Wyoming, it is especially important that you contact your federal elected officials, especially Senator John Barrasso, urging support for the Big Cat Public Safety Act.
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Tickets For PAWS March 14
ARK 2000 Open House Are Now on Sale
We have a limited number of tickets available for our upcoming ARK 2000 Open House on Saturday, March 14th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults, $35 for seniors (65 and over) and $35 for children age 12 and under.
Our Open House events usually sell out, so buy your tickets early! No tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event.
Visitors to ARK 2000 open houses will board shuttles to the elephant habitats and walk to the tiger and bear areas. Once you exit the shuttle you will be walking on grass, dirt, gravel, and some paved surfaces, so please wear comfortable shoes. PAWS management, keepers and volunteers will be on hand to tell you about the animals and answer questions. The PAWS gift shop will be open on the day of the event. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards.
This event happens rain or shine. Tickets are not refundable.
Two ways to purchase:
Click here
to buy online and print your tickets at home; or call 209-745-2606, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, to charge by phone. Visit our calendar of events page for more information.
Ticket sales close on Thursday, March 12th, or earlier if this event sells out.
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Thank You February
Amazon Wish List Donors
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Stacey L. Greene:
one 20 lb. tub of Psyllium.
Monica Savage:
one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#.
Erica Armstrong:
one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium.
Carole Bognar:
one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium.
Nancy Gordon:
two pack of AA batteries, 24#; one case of office copy paper.
Karen P. Osgood:
two pack of Puracy soap.
Melissa Philips:
one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm. S
haron Niel:
three 10x10 canopy pop-up tents.
Teresa Perez:
one box of Denamarin, 30#.
Anonymous Donor:
one Probiocin.
Click on the Amazon Wish List link below to donate
specific items that are needed at our sanctuaries:
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View "wish list" items that are needed,
but
not listed
on the Amazon list,
here
.
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There are many ways
you can help PAWS animals:
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Donate To PAWS.
Although we work closely with regulatory agencies on animal rescues, PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. Three ways to give and every donation matters.
Learn more
Adopt A PAWS Animal.
If you would like to help our animals, one of the best ways is to become an "adoptive parent," or give a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent!
Learn more
PAWS Partnerships.
Help us change the life of a victim of captivity by becoming a PAWS Partner. PAWS partnerships help support our sanctuary operations and the day-to-day care of the animals.
Learn more
Estates/Planned Giving.
You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have a PAWS sanctuary to call home!
Learn more
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Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise.
Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like coffee mugs - available from our
online gift shop
.
Shop online through IGive and raise money for PAWS!
Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS.
Learn more
EBAY Giving Works.
List items on EBAY and choose PAWS as your charity. Donate a percentage of each sale to the animals. Visit our EBAY charity listing page
here
. Start selling!
Corporate Donations and Matching Fund Programs.
Learn more
about what is needed.
Donate Your Vehicle To PAWS.
Attend A Fundraiser.
PAWS sanctuaries ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but we do schedule a limited number of special events throughout the year.
Click here
to view PAWS' Calendar of Events.
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PAWS provides lifetime care to the tigers, bears, elephants, and other animals who call our sanctuaries home. Your kind support provides expert daily care, necessary veterinary treatments, and specialized nutritional support, all tailored to the individual needs of each animal.
Your generous donations make this excellent care possible.
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P. O. Box 849, Galt, CA 95632
(209) 745-2606
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