Tag Archives: elephants

Building a Factory to Make New Legs for Elephants

mosha82809fHere’s an opportunity to be part of an amazing project that will make a huge difference, indeed the difference between life and death, for Asian elephants disabled by land mine explosions.
Oh, you didn’t know that elephants could step on land mines? It happens in former battle zones in Southeast Asia. Cheap land mines that were once intended for enemy armies still lie abandoned by the thousands. All it takes in one wrong step in the jungle and… the loss of a foot or even an entire leg.

Elephants are very resilient creatures, but even they can’t hobble around in pain on shredded limbs. Of course, its not possible to make them whole again… but it is possible to give them the closest thing possible to the mobility they enjoyed before the accident. Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital in Thailand has pioneered a process to create prosthetic legs that can take the  weight and stresses of movement of massive elephants. They work much the same as artificial legs for humans, but built sturdier. Two land mine victims, Mosha and Motala have worn theirs for years. The only problem is how do you get one-of-a-kind custom fit elephant legs repaired when they break and how can you quickly make more when new patients arrive at the hospital?

Whmoshaslegsm2.10.01.09at FAE hospital has decided to do is create a workshop “factory” to fabricate, adjust and repair prosthetic limbs for elephants on-site. This will make it possible to help disabled elephants almost in real-time compared to the weeks and months the process takes now.The one snag is… it’s not cheap to build such a facility. The cost is estimated at 400,000 THB equi
valent to over $11,300 USD. Even so, can you think of a more valuable asset to help these ailing eles.

Here’s where we come in. I’ve launched a CrowdRise fundraiser to Help Build The Elephant Leg Factory. We’re going to raise the money needed to build and stock this new workshop with the tools and supplies to serve Mosha, Motala, and any other elephants in need. Will you help us raise the $11,500 we’ve set as our goal as soon as possible? You can donate quickly and easily through our CrowdRise fundraising page.

 

How and Why I’m Going Bananas For Elephants

By: John Shepler

I’m turning 65 this June. It’s a big birthday. One that justifies a big celebration. But instead of collecting more stuff (the house is already overflowing), I’ve decided to dedicate my birthday to a personal passion, improving the lives of elephants.
Version 2Elephants are Hurting in Asia
Elephants are hard at work in Asian countries, such as Thailand. Just like people, elephants get sick and injured on the job.Unlike people, there aren’t hospitals and quick care medical centers around every corner. There is one hospital just for elephants, though. This is the Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital in Lampang, Thailand. It’s the world’s first hospital dedicated to treating elephants for as long as they need it. It’s also unique in that the mahouts that work one on one with the elephants are invited to stay at the hospital while their elephant is being cared for, at no charge for mahout or elephant.

It Costs a Lot to Care For Elephants
In my conversations with Soraida Salwala, the founder of the FAE hospital, I learned that just the food to care for the elephants staying at FAE is an expensive proposition. These eles are large and so are their appetites. They consume up to 3 tons per day of grass and bananas, depending on how many patients there are. This includes 1,700 hands of bananas per week that costs about 10,200 Thai Baht or around $340 USD. Grass and Bananas together cost $1,631 per week. And then there’s medicine, doctors, caregivers and facility expenses. All of this has to be provided by generous donations from supporters worldwide.

The Let’s Go Bananas Campaign
I’d love to raise funds that cover all the costs of feeding and  caring for the elephant at FAE, but I thought that a good start would be a campaign that would pay for at least the bananas. Some quick mental math says that one donation of $65 for each day in the month of June would easily cover the cost of the banana deliveries plus a little extra. $65 x 30 days in the month comes out to $1950. That’s a lucky coincidence because 1950 was the year I was born. Seems cosmically ordained, doesn’t it?

How the Fundraiser Works
I’ve set up a fundraiser on CrowdRise to make the process of donating fast and easy. It’s called, as you might suspect, “Going Bananas for Elephants”. I’m asking for $65 from everyone who would like to contribute, but this is not a hard and fast number. If it’s too much, a smaller contribution will also be appreciated. Of course, if you’d like to go bananas too, multiples of $65 will provide even more care for the elephants. The basic idea is to reach or exceed the $1950 goal by the end of June and send the collected funds to Soraida at FAE to support the operation of the hospital. I am going to match the first $650 in donations at the end of the month and add that to the total as a bonus.

You can visit my fundraiser page at https://www.crowdrise.com/goingbananasforelephants or use the CrowdRise widget on this page. Just click on the big orange button that says “Donate to this Fundraiser.” Your name and donation will be added to the rotating honor roll of donors and you can see how close we are coming to the $1950 goal.

Please note that CrowdRise accepts all major credit cards. If you would prefer to contribute via PayPal, contact me and I’ll send you details. If you are planning a large corporate or organizational donation, please contact me in advance to make arrangements (ongoing).

Your Help is Very Important
Think we can do it? Will we meet the fundraising goal of $1950 by the end of the month? Well, your contribution will certainly help and I urge you to go ahead an make it now before you get busy with other things. Another way you can make a big difference is to spread word of this fundraiser far and wide using your social media accounts for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and personal email lists. If you know anyone who is sympathetic to the plight of elephants, please give them the chance to participate. These contributions really will make a difference in the lives of elephants and their mahouts who need the care only Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital can provide.

July 1, 2FundraiserAnnouncement015 Update
The amazing enthusiasm and participation of everyone who supported this fundraiser in June pushed us well past the goal and up to ….. drumroll, please… $3,065, which is over 100, 000 THB at today’s conversion rate.

I’ve sent your contributions on to Soraida at FAE, but I’m leaving the “Go Bananas” fundraiser open for the indefinite future. Why? I know some of you who would like to have donated didn’t hear about the campaign in time or had other commitments that prevented you from making a contribution during the month of June. You are still in luck! CrowdRise will graciously accept your credit card donations and I will send you the PayPal address upon request. Funds collected will be periodically forwarded to Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital in Thailand. Thank you so much for your support!

Buy or Bid on Mango Wood Elephant to Benefit FAE

Mango Wood Elephant #2 available for purchase or bid on eBay.Here’s your opportunity to own a large hand-carved mango wood elephant crafted in Thailand. There’s actually an entire herd of these gorgeous elephant figures, but they are finding homes fast and will only be available to adopt for a short time. The elephant shown in this photo is called #2. She weighs 3 lbs and is 9 inches tall. The beautiful mango wood gets darker as finish is applied. Right now, #2 has only a light application of clear oil.

You can bid on this wonderful carved elephant right now. Don’t dawdle… the first bid has already been received. This eBay auction ends next Monday (Feb 2) at about 4 PM. After that you’ll likely be out of luck.

Not only will you be acquiring a unique work of hand crafted art, but you’ll also be helping to support a real elephant hospital in Thailand. Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital treats sick and injured elephants at no cost to their owners and depends on donations from caring people worldwide. Jody Stickney is donating 100% of this sale to FAE, so your money will go far… and you’ll have a valuable elephant too!

You can visit the eBay auction for elephant #2 and see pictures of the other available eles right now. Hurry, she could find a new home at any moment.

Note: 2/5 update. I’m happy to say that I’m the proud winner of the auction for elephant #2 (shown above) She should arrive in the next few days. Don’t worry if you’ve missed out on any of the auctions to date. There are more eBay auctions in progress right now to benefit FAE

Bid on Sparkle to Benefit FAE

Sparkle elephant at homeYou’ll love to have this gorgeous glowing Gemmy Sparkle Elephant in your home or, if you can, set her outside for the holidays. She’s nearly baby elephant size, measuring 39 in. tall to the tip of her upraised trunk and approx. 40 in. long from trunk tip to tail. Sparkle glows an elegant gold color lit by 70 LED lights that are pre-wired and is standing on a red ball that flashes.

Sparkle is being auctioned on eBay as a fundraiser for Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital in Thailand, the world’s first hospital just for elephants. Since 1993, they’ve treated more than 3,600 elephants for everything from minor injuries and illness to pregnancy & maternity up to elephants who have even lost a leg stepping on a land mine. They are entirely supported by private donation. So please be generous with your bids. 100% of the winning sales price will be donated to FAE.

Now, you must hurry to place your bid because the auction is already in progress and will end on Monday, January 12 at 8 PM Central Time. View the eBay auction and place your bid now. Good luck!

Update: January 13, 2014: Congratulations to Jody Stickney for having the winning bid on Sparkle the elephant. Thanks to everyone else who participated in making this fundraiser a winner for FAE.

A Little Time Left to Rescue Suzy

Hurry to help rescue Suzy and the other elephants..

Photo courtesy of Wildlife SOS

We have until January 6 to complete the Help an Elephant CrowdRise fundraiser for Wildlife SOS that will help rescue Suzy and all of India’s circus elephants. The 67 elephants need your help now to get them to elephant rehabilitation centers and camps. Can you spare $25 or even just $10 for this worthy cause? Take just a minute now to learn more, make your donation and see your name on the list of valued contributors.

Update January 14, 2015: Congratulations to Help an Elephant on raising $175 for this CrowdRise fundraiser. Overall, Wildlife SOS came in 3rd place which includes a $25,000 bonus donation. Their total was over $143,000 raised for this worthy cause.

Update February 5, 2015: Even more good news… Suzy has been rescued! That’s one down and 66 to go. Please continue to support this incredible rescue mission.