Pat Derby and Ed Stewart with baby elephant 71, shortly after her arrival in 1986. Pat Derby, 2009: "Ed and I built ARK 2000 for 71, and all our programs were developed from our experiences with her. Without 71,  there would be no PAWS."

Started in 1984 as the dream of co-founders Ed Stewart and the late Pat Derby, PAWS has become a vital and thriving organization. PAWS established the very first U.S. elephant sanctuary, and today we successfully operate the largest captive wildlife sanctuary in the U.S., home to rescued and retired animals. We value advocacy as a means of putting an end to the exploitation and suffering of captive wildlife, and we have made many advances, including introducing and passing laws that better protect the health and welfare of captive wildlife used for entertainment and as exotic pets.

In 2013 alone, PAWS played a leadership role in passing a bullhook ban in Los Angeles, making it the largest U.S. city with such a restriction on circuses (the bullhook is a weapon used by handlers to control elephants through painful punishment). And we welcomed three African elephants from Canada - Iringa, Thika and Toka - to their spacious natural-habitat home at ARK 2000, bringing the total number of elephants we care for up to 11.

PAWS looks forward to another exciting year in 2014, as we continue our battle against the exploitation of exotic animals used for circuses, elephant rides, and other forms of "entertainment," and the exotic pet industry. At the same time, we will be stepping up our efforts in the fight against the decimation of African elephants for the illegal ivory trade. And we will continue to educate the world about all these important issues.

And there is much more to come!

Marching for the elephants!  PAWS staff and volunteers in San Francisco's Chinatown.

We look forward to sharing an exciting future with you, as we fulfill our vision of creating a better life for captive wild animals. Our vision includes continuing the process of creating habitats at ARK 2000 for the animals still living at our original sanctuary in Galt, Calif., creating an additional facility for female Asian elephants, building additional barn space for African elephants (our 20,000-square-foot African barn is now at capacity), and completing the expansion of Bull Mountain (PAWS is the only sanctuary to take male elephants).

In future newsletters we'll be providing more information on our campaigns, rescues, and ways you can help the animals. And don't forget to save the date for PAWS' International Captive Wildlife Conference in November, featuring some of the most progressive voices on key animal issues.

As always, it is you, our supporters, who really make a difference for the animals. For that we are forever grateful.

Please make a donation to PAWS today, as a way to help us kick off this very special and hopeful 30th anniversary year. Your gift of $30 - one dollar for each year that PAWS has existed - goes directly to caring for the many animals at PAWS, helps educate more people about important animal issues, and ensures our advocacy efforts will be as effective as possible.

Toronto elephant Toka heads over a hill in her new natural-habitat home.

In Memoriam: Dr. Mel Richardson

Dr. Mel Richardson: Early this month, PAWS, and the animals, lost a great friend.

Dr. Mel Richardson, known as "Dr. Mel," passed away on January 2, 2014, at age 63. Everyone at PAWS deeply feels this loss of our good friend, determined animal advocate, and skilled veterinarian for captive wild animals.

In 2007, Dr. Mel accompanied African elephant Maggie when she was transported from the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage - via a US Air Force C-17 cargo plane - to California and her permanent home at ARK 2000. After the 2012 rescue of Ben the bear from a tiny cement enclosure at a North Carolina tourist attraction, Dr. Mel was part of the team that flew with Ben aboard the FedEx flight, dubbed "Bear Force One," that brought Ben to his new natural-habitat home at ARK 2000. 

November 2007: "Dr. Mel" (bottom right) watches as crews prepare to lift African elephant Maggie's crate onto the trailer that will transport her from the Alaska Zoo to Elmendorf AFB for her flight to California. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Zoo

It was in 2005 that Dr. Mel decided to dedicate his life to improving the welfare of captive wild animals, following a long career working with animals in zoos, wildlife parks and private facilities. His website states: "...From elephants, chimpanzees, lions, tigers, and bears in circuses, zoos, parks and the entertainment industry, I work to alleviate the suffering caused by captivity. I am their voice." Dr. Mel used his voice and veterinary skills to help animals from Canada to the U.S. to South America.

His unwavering commitment to animals meshed perfectly with PAWS' mission of education, advocacy, rescue and care. PAWS' co-founders, Ed Stewart and the late Pat Derby, found a kindred spirit in Dr. Mel, and they often discussed the many issues surrounding the confinement of wild animals, including ethics, captivity-caused health issues, and ways to advance animal welfare.

Dr. Mel's friendly and relaxed manner made him a favorite with humans and animals alike - he had the gift of being able to calm even the most agitated and confused animal.

Children Are The Future. . . For Animals, Too!

We would like to share something special with you that made our day at PAWS. We recently received an email from Jackie Dunn and her daughter, nine-year-old Carly Rae Dunn, who told us their wonderful story. One day, Carly told her mother that she wanted to see a circus that was soon coming to their town. Jackie had a heart-to-heart conversation with her daughter about the treatment of elephants and other animals in the circus. She told Carly that she would not feel good about taking her to the performance.

Carly Rae Dunn

By coincidence, Carly and her mother watched An Apology To Elephants that evening, which features PAWS and the elephants living at ARK 2000. (PAWS' friend Lily Tomlin narrated the film, for which she won an Emmy.) The documentary examines the abuse of elephants in captivity and advocates for more humane treatment. Carly was so moved by what she had just seen that, unbeknownst to her parents, she wrote a two-page report detailing what she learned from An Apology to Elephants and how she felt about it. 

Carly's well-written essay is titled "Elephants, It'll Make You Cry." In it, she expresses her feelings as only a child can - she is honest, heartfelt and passionate. Carly comes to the conclusion: "Never ever go to a circus with animals. Especially elephants."

When Carly gets older, she wants to be a voice for the elephants. We think she's off to a pretty good start! In the meantime, she is doing extra chores at home and saving the money to adopt a PAWS elephant.

Please click here to read Carly's touching report. We think you'll be as impressed with the report - and Carly - as we are.

Congressman Jim Moran To Retire 

Congressman Moran (left) with Bob Barker in Washington, D.C.

After more than 20 years in Congress, Congressman Moran, a Democrat from Northern Virginia, has announced he will retire. Rep. Moran has been a great friend to animals, favoring stronger prohibitions against animal fighting and an end the slaughter of horses for food. Ed Stewart, PAWS' friend and supporter Bob Barker, Jorja Fox, Mel Richardson, DVM, and Animal Defenders International joined with the Congressman in 2011 as he introduced the Traveling Exotic Animals Protection Act (TEAPA), a federal bill that would end the abuse of wild animals used in circuses and traveling shows. (The bill has not yet been re-introduced in Congress.)

PAWS expresses its most sincere thanks to Congressman Moran for his many years of service to our country.

Dolphins are highly intelligent and socially complex mammals who naturally swim great distances each day with their family groups. Here, captive dolphins perform in one of the "educational shows" presented at Attica Zoological Park in Greece.

Dolphins Need Our Help!

Protect The Performing Animal Ban In Greece

In 2012, Greece became the first country in Europe to ban the use of all animals in circuses and similar performances, including in zoos, dolphinariums and other venues. According to our friends at Voice for the Animals Foundation, it appears that Greek legislators may soon take action that would weaken this important ban by making an exception for zoos.

The Attica Zoological Park currently offers dolphin shows, even though these shows are prohibited under the 2012 law. The government is attempting to exempt the zoo by re-labeling its dolphin performances as "educational shows." The very presence of dolphins at this zoo is controversial. According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the zoo imported bottlenose dolphins in 2010 without the proper permits or permission of the Greek government, and the zoo was never given permission to construct a dolphin facility, for which it was fined. In April 2011, a temporary court order prohibited dolphin shows and operation of the zoo's dolphin exhibit.

The Attica Zoological Park calls its shows "education presentations," but there is nothing educational about seeing trained dolphins or any other wild animal performing tricks for the "entertainment" of an audience, or seeing them confined in unnatural and inadequate concrete tanks. Dolphins are highly intelligent and socially complex mammals who naturally swim great distances each day with their family groups. In captivity, they live in small, impoverished concrete tanks in which they are unable to express normal behaviors, and they typically die prematurely.

Animal acts do not help conserve animals in the wild. In fact, they send the wrong message about the treatment of wildlife. Greece must enforce the law as it is written, rather than cater to an essentially illegal enterprise that uses dolphins for profit. Exempting the Attica Zoological Park will only undermine, and potentially lead to overturning, this important animal protection law.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Let Greek lawmakers know that the world is watching! Please send a polite message to the following officials (see sample letter below):

Mr. Athanasios Tsaftaris

Minister, Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food

[email protected]

[email protected]

Mr. Maximos Charakopoulos

Deputy Minister, Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food

[email protected]

Mr. Ioannis Maniatis

Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change

[email protected] 

SAMPLE EMAIL

Dear Minister:

Greece showed itself to be a leader in animal protection when it prohibited the use of animals in circuses and other types of performances. So I was very concerned to hear that the government is considering an exemption for zoos, particularly the dolphin shows at the Attica Zoological Park. I urge you to reject this exemption.

While the zoo may re-label the dolphin shows as "educational demonstrations," there is nothing educational about seeing trained dolphins performing tricks for the entertainment of an audience, or seeing them confined in unnatural and inadequate concrete tanks.

Dolphins are highly intelligent and socially complex mammals who naturally swim great distances each day with their family groups. In captivity, they live in small, impoverished concrete tanks in which they are unable to express normal behaviors, and they typically die prematurely.

The times are changing and a better-educated public is finding it unacceptable to use wild animals for "entertainment."

Please set an example for other European countries - and the world - by enforcing the law that bans performing animals. Any exemption will undermine this important and progressive legislation and may even lead to overturning it.

The world is watching what Greece will do. I urge you to do the right thing by maintaining and enforcing the prohibition on all performing animals.

Sincerely,

For Massachusetts Residents:

Take Action to Ban Bullhooks in Your State!

The Massachusetts legislature's Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee has scheduled a hearing for "An Act Relating to the Treatment of Elephants" (S. 1626) on Monday, February 3rd, at 2 p.m. This bill would prohibit use of the bullhook and chains on elephants appearing in traveling shows.

The bullhook is a menacing weapon resembling a fireplace poker, with a sharp steel tip and hook at the end. Trainers use the bullhook to dominate and control elephants through painful punishment and the fear of it.

At PAWS, even though we have worked with highly dangerous elephants, we have never once used a bullhook.

PAWS played a leading role in passing a bullhook ban in Los Angeles. We urge you to take action and help us pass a ban on bullhooks and chaining in Massachusetts.

What: Committee meeting on S. 1626 - ban on bullhooks and chaining

When: Monday, February 3, 2014, at 2 p.m.

Where: Massachusetts State House in Boston, Room A-1; Beacon and Park Street, Boston, Mass. 01233

What you can do: 

1. Attend the meeting on Monday, February 3.
2. Send an email message to members of the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee, urging them to vote in favor of S. 1626.
3. Follow up your email with a brief phone call.
4. Tell your friends, family and colleagues about this important bill and urge them to take action.

Sample message:

Dear _________

As a citizen who is very concerned about elephants and their treatment in circuses, I am urging you to please support S. 1626, which would prohibit use of the bullhook and chaining on elephants appearing in traveling shows.

The bullhook is a steel-tipped weapon resembling a fireplace poker that trainers use to dominate and control elephants through painful punishment and the fear of it. Chained elephants are virtually immobilized - even though elephants are naturally active and far-ranging animals - which causes physical and psychological harm.

There is no humane way to use a bullhook, which is why progressive sanctuaries and zoos have rejected the bullhook in favor of a management method that uses positive reinforcement training and a protective barrier between keepers and elephants.

The writing is on the wall. Use of the bullhook and chaining are outdated and inhumane practices that have no place in a compassionate society. The city of Los Angeles recently banned bullhooks. Use of the bullhook and chaining must be prohibited in Massachusetts as well.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives
Chair, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-1604

Representative Cory Atkins
Chair, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2015

SENATORS

Senator Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-1625

Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-1673

Senator Robert L. Hedlund (R-Weymouth)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-1646

Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-1410

Senator Daniel A. Wolf (D-Harwich)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-1570

REPRESENTATIVES

Representative Denise Andrews (D-Orange)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2460

Representative Daniel M. Donahue (D-Worcester)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2006

Representative John V. Fernandes (D-Milford)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2220

Representative Michael Finn (D-West Springfield)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2637

Representative Steven S. Howitt (D-Seekonk)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2305

Representative Brian R. Mannal (D-Barnstable)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2582

Representative Paul W. Mark (D-Peru)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2013

Representative William Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lee)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2582

Representative Chris Walsh (D-Framingham)
[email protected]
Phone: (617) 722-2013