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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...Rosie the Elephant Needs Rescuing
Rosie is a 42-year-old retired (Asian) circus elephant currently living at Endangered Ark in Hugo, Oklahoma. Established and run by Carson & Barnes Circus for its own herd of elephants, it functions as a breeding facility and retirement home. It is not a sanctuary or a circus with performing animals.
“The purpose of it is to perpetuate the Asian elephant in the United States,” says Barbara Miller Byrd, a third generation owner of the Carson & Barns circus in a video. “It’s a dwindling species, endangered species and so we are trying our best here to keep them going.” Asian elephants are no longer allowed to be imported to the United States. According to Defenders of Wildlife, the wild Asian elephant population has been reduced from 100,000 in 1900 to 35,000-40,000 today.
About Rosie
The controversy about Rosie is the proposal by veterinarian Jim Laurita and his brother Tom who want to bring Rosie to what they describe as a rehab facility for elephants in their hometown of Hope, Maine. The Laurita brothers worked at the circus back in the 1970s when they were teenagers. Tom was a juggler and ring master and Jim worked with, trained and handled the elephants; this is where he met Rosie.
Rosie is living at Endangered Ark because of an injury that resulted in chronic arthritis. She was attacked by some of the other elephants in her herd. She doesn’t walk very much because of the pain, and even lying down and getting up are difficult tasks for her.
Hope Elephants
Justin McAnaney, Director of Operations for Hope Elephants — the non-profit organization set up by the Lauritas — told me in a phone interview that Dr. Laurita wants to bring Rosie to Maine “to extend her life, slow deterioration and make her more comfortable.” He also relayed to me that Rosie was imported to the U.S. as a youngster and has lived in captivity since then. Most likely her mother was shot and she was captured. He also told me that Rosie was bottle-fed and really identifies with humans, but not so much with other elephants.
What Hope Elephants wants to do is help Rosie with her medical issues by providing physical therapy using the modalities of ultrasound and hydrotherapy. They have plans to build a first of its kind water treadmill for elephants. The website sates their mission is “to care for retired and injured elephants and to educate about conservation.”
Animal Advocacy
There are many animal advocates looking to help animals who experience abuse, cruelty and neglect. And many are signed up with various groups like IDA (In Defense of Animals), the many SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) organizations, IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) and numerous others to keep up to date on what is happening so they may step up and defend animals in need. Such was the case when I received an email from IDA elephant task force asking people to oppose bringing Rosie to Maine. Here you can read the letter comedian Lily Tomlin wrote to Maine Governor Paul LePage.
This story requires an open mind and a desire in seeking all the facts before forming an opinion. In researching Hope for Elephants and the campaigns to prevent Rosie from being transferred there, I discovered two very different beliefs and methods but with the same goal: to help Rosie have a better life.
Read more: animal rights, animal welfare, animals, asian elephants, Dr. Jim Laurita, elephant, elephants, Hope Elephants, ida, in defense of animals, Rosie the elephant
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242 comments
+ add your ownI try very hard not to support events that exploit animals, if we all boycotted any circus where animals were part of the show, this often barbaric explotation of living creatures would stop. I visited an elephant sanctuary in India, yes the elephants are 'on-display' but the sanctuary has to raise funds some how and the animals are well looked after. All visitors were invited to buy and feed fruit to the elephants (and oh boy they all enjoyed the watermelon slices and bananas that we fed them, despite their huge size they are really gentle when they take food). Then we were asked if we'd like to give them a bath, this was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. There were several people washing the elephant, we were given coconut husks to scrub her with, it was clear, as she lay in the stream, that she was really enjoying all the attention. I washed her face, very gently scrubbing her around her trunk and gently washing over her eyes, her eye lashes were like broom bristles. She was making a very gentle noise that I can only liken to purring. What a wonderful creature but I would still have prefered for her to have been in the wild where she, and the rest of her kind, belong.
yes rossie need love as my beloved tarra. i had been sponsored tarra for 4 years, also belle the dog, but she died. rossie need too much love.
Like all animals who are getting along in years, Rosie needs whatever is best for her, not what is best for others. She needs her dignity and to feel loved and wanted.
Rosie is like Tarra. She needs loves, and to be well taken care of in a climate that is good for her.
Rosie needs to be where she is loved , wanted, cared for and her pain to be eased as soon as possible. Why prolong her pain ,when the problem CAN be if not solved then eased.She needs to be protected, and have runs, and enclosed freedon befor she gets too old to have any enjoyment.
Rosie, she should go to the tennesse sanctuary or in california for warmer weathers. I believe she will be very happy in warmer climate so please dont take her to maine because the cold winters it will effect her more so. Please take this in consideration for this wonderful elephant Rosie.. I understand that the doctor has best interests for Rosie but they can build a water treadmill where she goes for therapy in Tennessee or in California. I like to see the updates on her and to see her travel with happiness in the final destination.
Rosie should retire with dignity. Do what is best for her and not human selfishness. Thank you I Hope those concerned, if they really love and care for her, will let her go to the sanctuary in Tennessee.
With arthritis, Rosie does not need the cold. I can understand what is wanted at the Maine facility. Ultrasound and hydrotherapy are wonderful treatments. However, the cold weather and lack of roaming space will be detrimental for Rosie. Rosie needs to go to the Tennessee Sanctuary.
I have done a lot of research on elephants since they are my passion. Also I have been very famiiliar with both TES and PAWS and know that either one of these facilities is the best place for a captive elephant. Nothing beats the wild for elephants but having been captive for all or most of their lives the elephants in U.S. have only 2 places to go that can give them the quality of life they deserve. They need huge spaces to roam with grass, trees and lakes. None of this will be available at the Maine facility. Laurita's intentions are good but they are very misguided.
I too was shocked at the results of the poll! Those who responded with yes must have misread the question.
Thanks
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