PAWS-GoodBye to Annie

PAWS Says Goodbye to Beloved Asian Elephant Annie

Dear Friends,

It’s been a while that I shared stories from my travel and my wildlife conservation work with you.  In the fall, I spent almost 5 weeks in Europe visiting with family and celebrating my sister’s 70ties birthday.  It was nice to see the whole family together.  I further had a chance to travel to Turkey, Czech Republic and former East Germany, all places that were new to me.  Eventually, I will share my impressions and images with you. 

Once back, I had organized a Photo Walk at the PAWS Sanctuary [Performing Animals Welfare Society] in early November.  As most of you know I support the organization and offer these Photo Walks to raise awareness about issues surrounding animals in captivity.  Elephants suffer greatly in circuses and zoos.  PAWS has for the last 30 years given sanctuary not only for a variety of performing or captive animals including 39 tigers, but has created a wonderful habitat for 11 African and Asian elephants at the PAWS ARK 2000 in the Foothills of the Sierra.  Our group of 11 had a great day “Seeing the Elephants” and I will share some comments and a very insightful summary of the experience by one of my participants in my next blog.

Today though, I am saddened by the latest PAWS news [November 20, 2014] of the death of Annie, one of the Asian Elephants.  Please learn about her life in captivity in zoos prior to finding sanctuary at PAWS 1995.  Her last 20 years at PAWS were spend in an environment much closer to her natural needs with pastures to roam, a pond to swim and a warm barn with natural ground [not cement] to rest at night.  She was 55 when she succumbed to her severe arthritis and foot disease – a frequent affliction for captive elephants.  In the wild, these magnificent animals can live  to over 70 years, however, 55 years of age is old for a captive elephant.  Her last 20 years allowed her to gently age with dignity under the loving care at PAWS.

I remember Annie from my many visits at PAWS - here enjoying a “bath” from one of her keepers:

Rest in Peace, Annie, and be reunited with your natural family in elephant heaven.

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Below is the Newsletter released by PAWS on November 20, 2014:

PAWS Says Goodbye to Beloved Asian Elephant Annie

It is with very heavy hearts that we at PAWS share news of the passing of our dear friend, Asian elephant Annie - best known for her joyous romps in the lake that is part of our Asian elephant habitat at the ARK 2000 sanctuary. She had endured severe arthritis and foot disease, which gradually worsened over many years. After it became clear that the medications and treatments used to treat her chronic conditions were no longer providing relief, she was humanely euthanized on Tuesday, while lying on soft soil and surrounded by those who cared for and loved her. At age 55, she was among the oldest Asian elephants in North America.

"Everyone at PAWS will miss Annie. She was a very special elephant," said PAWS
president Ed Stewart. "I'm proud we were able to give her a peaceful and more natural life at the PAWS sanctuary for nearly 20 years. We restored her dignity and gave her the care and respect she deserved."

Annie was born in Assam, India, around 1960, and taken from her mother at a very early age for use in the zoo industry. She was immediately put on display in a zoo in Wisconsin, where she spent much of her life chained to a concrete floor.

In 1994, the nation was shocked by videos showing Annie and her companion Tammy being cruelly trained. While held by ropes and chains handlers "broke" the elephants, mercilessly beating them into submission. This was no undercover video; the zoo recorded the training session as instruction for other keepers. (This footage was included in the 2013 HBO documentary, "An Apology to Elephants," narrated by actress and comedienne - and friend of PAWS - Lily Tomlin.) Under public pressure, the zoo opted to relocate the elephants to PAWS. 

Annie arrived at PAWS in 1995, rescued from the Wisconsin zoo with Tammy, who passed away in 2003 at age 52 from chronic foot disease and arthritis - the leading causes of death for elephants in captivity. Despite their great intelligence and size, in captivity elephants are forced to live in small, barren enclosures that cause a multitude of physical and psychological harms. Their social, physical and psychological complexities may make them one of the most deprived of all captive wild animals.

Annie's life at the PAWS ARK 2000 sanctuary was far closer to what elephants naturally need. She had a sprawling habitat in which to roam, elephant companions, soft grass to lie down and nap on, and a lake in which she loved to bob, splash and swim. It was always a joy to see Annie enjoying her habitat - something we often shared with you on our Facebook page and on YouTube.

Over the years, Annie experienced a variety of health problems, including an injury caused by a bull elephant during forced mating. Her arthritis and foot problems had progressed, including a severe foot abscess. In 2012, Annie tested positive for tuberculosis, but never exhibited symptoms of the disease. Her general condition remained good, including normal appetite and weight, but Annie's arthritis and foot disease ultimately made movement unbearably painful for her. Tuberculosis has been diagnosed in many elephants used for circuses and to give rides, and in zoos such as the Oregon Zoo and St. Louis Zoo.

It is a sad fact that by the time most elephants come to PAWS they are suffering the debilitating effects of a life spent in inadequate captive conditions. Annie was no exception. Had she remained in her native home, she likely would have been leading a full and enriched life today, surrounded by a family of her own.

"Our job at PAWS is to restore dignity to captive elephants and, for elephants like Annie and Tammy, give them a life free from beatings and chains," explained Ed. "We did our best for them, and continue to make a significant difference in the lives of all the elephants and other wild animals under our care."

As is customary for all elephants that pass away at PAWS, a necropsy is being performed on Annie's remains by pathologists from U.C. Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and tissue samples sent to a laboratory. 

PAWS thanks everyone who has ever cared about and supported Annie and helped give her - and all of the wild animals at PAWS - a life of dignity, serenity, and love. On behalf of Annie and everyone at PAWS, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Annie goes swimming:

YouTube Video Published by PAWS on Jul 11, 2013

With quiet reflection and gratitude to PAWS,

Meggi