Speak-out for Elephants

In 2010, I volunteered at a wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand  (WFFT) and worked as an elephant keeper helping to take care of 7 rescued elephants.  While there, I learned a lot about the plight of the elephants in Thailand who in the past have been working elephant but are now displaced by modern equipment and technology.   Today, elephants are mainly used in the tourist industry.  While previously an elephant was owned for life by his keeper who traditionally took good care of the animal, now they are trained and sold over and over again.  The are kept by people who do not necessarily understand how to keep these magnificent animals and as a result the elephant's life is often full of pain and mishandling.  Sadly, tourist dollars effectively support this kind of industry.

WFFT founder and director Edwin Wiek is speaking out against wild animal trade in Thailand and the poaching of elephants from the few wildlife areas left for elephants to roam freely, and as a result the Thai government has raided WFFT and taken away rescued animals only to be taken into government facilities that often offer the minimal of care for these animals.

While in Thailand at WFFT, I saw for myself the state of a "new" elephant that was just brought to WFFT:  an elderly 75-year old female who emaciated and had open wounds deep in her skin that would never heal but with the caring daily treatments at least stopped festering and hopefully hurting.  After settling in and being fed properly, she enjoyed fruit treats and would come up to me checking out my pockets for acacia seed pods, a favorite snack.

So if you are touched by this, please continue reading the below, and please speak out for the elephants and for all other wildlife in Thailand :

News from In Defense of Animals:

Speak Up For Elephants And Other Wildlife In Thailand

Please use the form at the bottom of this page to send your comments to 
Thailand's Ambassador to the U.S.

The world-renowned Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, which rescues old, sick and disabled elephants from the trekking and logging industries, is under fire from government authorities who are threatening to confiscate elephants. Why? Because the group spoke out against the illegal poaching of elephants in Thai national parks. In January, six elephants were killed in two parks, drawing attention to the trade in baby elephants that has been carried out with the alleged complicity of government officials.

Authorities are acting under the pretense that the Elephant Nature Park may illegally be in possession of wild elephants. Elephant Nature Park founder Lek Chailert states that the elephants are microchipped and that she has the paperwork to show legal "ownership" for all of them.

The Elephant Nature Park is not the only legitimate rescue organization to be affected. The government confiscated 103 animals, including endangered species, from Wildlife Friends of Thailand (WFFT), during a four-day raid in which many animals were injured and traumatized. An Australian newspaperreported that Thailand’s National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation department demanded documentation of legal ownership but did not give the foundation the opportunity to produce the paperwork.

Click here to watch the raid on WFFT. (Warning - very disturbing video.) Click here to watch Lek Chailert of Elephant Nature Park talk about the raids.

The raid followed claims made by WFFT founder and director Edwin Wiek that more than half the elephants in tourist camps in Thailand were illegally smuggled from the wild and sold to middlemen who torture and train them, and then sell them to tourism operators. The Thai tourism industry relies heavily on elephant trekking and entertainment. Wiek stated that tourists who visit such places “are effectively supporting the killing and torture of wild-born elephants.”

Tell the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC to stop the raids on legitimate rescue organizations, and to direct government resources to better protecting elephants and ending the smuggling of calves for the tourist trade.

Personalize and submit the form below to send your message to:

·                            Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of theKingdom of Thailand to the United States of America, H.E. Mr. Kittiphong NaRanong, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, DC

Note: the term "Decision Maker" in the salutation of the letter below will automatically be replaced with the Ambassador's title and name.

If the link doesn't work properly, please go to IDA's Home  and click through from there.

Thank you for your kindness.

Til next time,

Meggi

Equinet Award

The Equine Photographers Network Announces 
Results for Equine Ideal: 2012 Online Photo Contest  


My image:  "Friends" was awarded Third Place in the Amateur 'Wild Horse' Category.

This was a juried competition and here is what the Judge, Toni Stromberg, said about the image:

"I love the affection you captured in this shot.  Really nicely  composed, 

good exposure, and I like that the background is soft...  

really brings the focus to the horses.  Nice!"

I also want to thank all of you who voted for my image in the People's Choice Award open voting.  Thank you!

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Another of my images "Dawn of a New Day" received the People's Choice Award at the PhotoCentral, Hayward, Springshow 2012 and is currently exhibited there until May 17, 2012.

This pano printed on metal is has a wonderful glow reflecting the dawn light over the Bay during a January early winter morning.  The Bay Bridge is a much photographed subject, and I was very happy to see that the image offered something special for the viewer.


The images of the Springshow can also be viewed here.

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Til next time,

Meggi

Elephants in the News

This is an amazing story:

Elephants say goodbye to the whisperer

March 10 2012 

They know   -    We see how they always do the same and pay respect to their own when they die.   Animals never stop teaching us how sensitive and intelligent they are.

              

The elephants at Thula Thula, South Africa, make their way to say goodbye to Lawrence Anthony, the man they loved. According to his son, the elephant herds arrived en masse and waited around the house for two days this week.

For 12 hours the huge beasts slowly made their way through the Zululand bush until they reached the house of the man they loved – to say good-bye.

That, according to the son of conservationist and adventurer Lawrence Anthony, who passed away while on a business trip to Johannesburg last Friday, was the profoundly moving sight at Thula Thula Private Reserve this week.

Dubbed ‘the elephant whisperer’ for his unique ability to calm traumatised elephants and herds, Anthony became a legend when it came to light that he had rescued animals from the Baghdad Zoo during the Iraqi invasion.

There are two elephant herds at Thula Thula. According to his son Dylan, both herds arrived at the house after Anthony’s death.

“They had not visited the house for a year-and-a-half and it must have taken them about 12 hours to make the journey,” said Dylan.

The first herd arrived on Sunday and the second herd, a day later.

‘They all hung around for about two days before making their way back into the bush,” said Dylan.

Yesterday family and close friends gathered at Thula Thula for a private memorial service, following a public service held at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday.

Anthony, in a collaboration with his brother-in-law, former Durban journalist Graham Spence, wrote the book “Babylon’s Ark”, which details his unorthodox rescue of animals from Baghdad Zoo.

The pair also co-authored “The Elephant Whisperer”, which tells of Anthony’s techniques in communicating with elephants.

Having been at the frontline in the war against rhino poaching in Africa, when he died Anthony was in the process of launching a third book (also co-authored with Spence), “The Last Rhinos”, which tells of his exploits deep in the Congo jungle.

Dylan Anthony said a tribute dinner will be held at the Durban International Convention Centre on March 29.

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Til next time,

Meggi

Wildlife Babies – Montana - a few spaces left!

An amazing photo opportunity to photograph wildlife babies:  wolf pups, fox kittens, lynx kittens and more!

Come face-to-face with these wonderful babies!

Date:  July 14-17, 2012

with optional activities on July 18&19

For more details, click here.

PAWS Ark 2000

A Heaven for Elephants

Mara

I know it was a complete surprise to many when I wrote that we have elephants ‘roaming’ in the Foothills of the Sierra.  Of course they are not native here nor are they native anywhere in North America.  But we all know that we have elephants performing in circuses and held captive in Zoos and other places.  What many don’t know is that these captive elephants too often have a very sad life story that often starts with a traumatic event when their mother and close-knit family herd are culled –another word for being killed – in their native land where elephant habitat is continuously shrinking.  The babies or young elephants are captured after the adults are gone and sold to Zoos and circuses where they are kept in small enclosures and/or trained to perform.  Most of us who love animals think training will be gentle with positive reinforcement but in the ‘industry’ this is hardly the case.  Many elephants live in unsuitable conditions, are mistreated and severely abused, and foremost held in isolation which in itself cruel for a very social animals that in the wild is strengthened by its herd and guided by a strong matriarch.  We all have heard the saying “an elephant never forgets”, this is true for these captive elephants who remember those traumatic events that lead to their life far from their home and herd.

Nicholas

At PAWS – Performing Animals Welfare Society -the founders Pat Derby and Ed Stewart have worked tirelessly to better the living conditions of captive animals and to give sanctuary to animals no longer wanted.  First in Galt, CA, and later in San Andreas, they created a heaven for African and Asian elephants by purchasing 2,300 acres of land that currently houses 8 elephants and will welcome 3 more elephants from the Toronto Zoo in the next several months.  Comfortable and warm barns were built with soft earth areas for resting and access to large hill enclosures where the elephants can rest, walk on green grass, and enjoy natural ponds for bathing and sandy areas for mud-baths.  Both Pat and Ed are veterans in working with elephants and have developed a unique program for true positive reinforcement.  The elephants are never chained, and no bull-hooks are used – all practices seen in other captive situations.   Here the elephants can again form social bonds, and directly interact which is an important part in the well being of these animals.  

On the first weekend in March, our group of 11 photographers met in Angels Camp not far from San Andreas at a beautiful resort where we would stay for the next 2 nights.  Over a Mexican dinner on Friday, we tried to get to know each other and were excited to visit with the elephants the next day.  Driving into PAWS on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, we were met at the gate by Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, and further into the hills we immediately saw Prince, a large male African Elephant on the hillside peacefully munching on the new spring grass.

Walking along the enclosures, we met the Asian elephants Gypsy and Wanda first.  Their story is amazing.  After capture, Gypsy and Wanda worked in the same circus but were later separated.  More than 20 years passed, but both elephants independently made their way to PAWS.  Pat tells the story that the elephants recognized each other immediately and stood close to each other in their barn stalls.  Once outside they ‘greeted’ each other by sniffing, rumbling vocalizing and trumpeting, and touching all over – a well recognized activity when elephants come together in their herd.  Going through the records for each elephants it was confirmed that they indeed had been together at a circus a long time ago.  Now, the two ‘old ladies’ hang out with each other, munch on fresh grass, take naps on the hillside and specifically enjoy the lake in the summer time.  

We stop across the path at another enclosure and observe when Mara, Maggie and Lulu emerge from the barn.  Pat is specifically fond of Lulu, a Zoo elephant that all her life was dominated by a large bull elephant that would sit on her and push her into the moat.  From all of this treatment, she is a very submissive but gentle elephant.  Standing at the barn door Pat is handing Lulu treats of fruits and veggies, and she slowly comes out into the sunlight.  The 2 other female elephants, Mara and Maggie, and Lulu have bonded and specifically Maggie has become protective of the smaller Lulu.  Although these elephants are not “family” they have formed their own strong bonds that comforts them in their old age.

Lulu leaving the barn - Pat Derby has treats ready for her

As we continue to walk towards another pond, both Ed and Pat call Mara and we see her coming over the hill to join us at the pond.

Mara

Mara and Maggie greeting each other on the hillside with typical touching and sniffing

Wanda

Pat Derby with Mara

As we return to the barn area, we see Annie who is enjoying a bath.  Annie’s story is another sad one.  Tammy and Annie both were captured from the wild when they were ~ 4 years old – still babies.  They were companions at a zoo where they lived most of their lives on chains.  The facilities were antiquated and their housing was on cold, wet concrete.  Their “trainers” were abusive trying to dominate them by brute force causing injuries that were well documented in the animals’ files.  Finally, Annie and Tammy were transferred to PAWS where it took a long time for them to overcome their mistrust towards  everyone and showing typical distress of swaying, head-bobbing and rocking.  But eventually, they begun behaving ‘like elephants’ by going outside, dusting and taking mud-bath, being playful, vocalizing with rumbles and squeaks that showed that even after years of abuse patience and kind treatment at PAWS helped heal the damage brought on to them before. 

Annie enjoying a wash

Mara knows there are treats in Ed's pocket

Our last stop was the newly built barn and enclosure for Nicholas, a middle age Asian male elephant.  Nick is a big fellow, standing 10ft tall and weighing about 10,000 pounds – a beautiful elephant greeting us at the fence of his enclosure curious about the group of visitors.  Nicholas story began in a breeding facility where he was separated from his mother when he was 2 years old.  He was trained to ride a tricycle in a circus and forced to perform during his young life until he turned 5 years of age and became difficult to manage.  After that he lived with Gypsy, an unrelated ~30-year older female elephant.  Gypsy probably became his surrogate mother and they shared a small stall together for 9 years until they both were adopted by PAWS.  There they continued to stay together, sharing food, and sleeping and playing together.  Their companionship was a delight to observe.  But then ‘puberty’ hit Nick.  In the wild, this is the time when young adult males are leaving the herd and are banding together in bachelor groups.  Gypsy, the now 40 year old elephant, had taught all she could to Nick and their relationship changed over dominance issues.  So it was time to separate the young bull elephant.  Thanks to PAWS large ‘home’ and the generosity of donors, a new facility was built for Nick close to where his long time companion Gypsy is now housed with Wanda in anadjacent enclosure.  They still can see each other, touch though the fence, but Gypsy can enjoy her retirement in the company of other females – a setting as natural as it can be provided in captivity.  In the wild, elephant herds are exclusively adult female elephants with their offsprings.  While maturing male elephants eventually leave the herd, the female offsprings never leave the herd they are born in.  

Nick's barn

Visiting Nick’s barn, we could observe the most amazing interactions between Nicholas, Ed Steward and his nephew Brian who is Nick’s constant keeper and trainer.  With lots of patience and love, Nick has been trained to respond to verbal commands and treats to allow the necessary grooming that will keep an elephant happy and healthy.  You could have heard a water drop fall as we saw Nick lift his enormous foot so his toe-nails could be filed.  We were at awe.  One foot after another was presented through special openings in the stall fence and Brian used a BIG nail file to assure that the nails would not be too long causing pressure and ultimately infections often seen in Zoo elephants while Ed rewarded him with bananas, peanuts and apples.  On gentle command, he placed his head so his enormous earflaps would push though the fence and he held perfectly still without constraints when a blood sample was taken from an ear vein.  In the end, Pat Derby told us that bran is Nick’s favorite treat and sure enough, a big shovel of bran kept him eagerly munching away.  

Nick's feet are being groomed and the toes filed

Nick presents his ear 

I have read about the aggressiveness of bull elephants.  When I worked as an elephant keeper in Thailand last year at a sanctuary with 7 female and 1 young male elephant, there was much talk about what would happen when SoyThoi, the 7 year old male elephant, would mature.  While I was at the sanctuary, SoyThoi’s behavior became more aggressive leading to the separation between him and his young female teenage companion.  Thank God, SoyThoi was ‘adopted’ by one of the older female elephants, the  ~40 year old NamPhong, and they peacefully shared a large enclosure with a beautiful pond when I left the Sanctuary after a month stay.  The younger female was placed with 2 of the older females and adapted well to the company of her ‘aunts.

It was mid afternoon when we said goodbye to Pat and Ed and Brian and the wonderful elephants.  We had seen and learned so much and I am sure we all will take some of the lessons home with us.  I believe none of us will ever look at a Zoo elephant or a performing elephant again without wondering how he/she is treated, whether he had a warm and dry stall for the night, whether the keepers are mistreating them, whether they ever have soft grass under there feet, whether they are allowed the company of other elephants so important to their well being, whether they ever experience the patience and love human beings can give to animals?  So many are deprived, and live a sad life.  I sincerely hope that all of us came away wondering what we can do to better their lives?  Or to better the life of other animals that suffer – in our neighborhood, in our towns, in our country or around the world.  

Til next time,

Meggi

Copyright: 2012 M. Raeder-Photography
Ref: About Elephants, Pat Derby, 2009 Performing Animals Welfare Society

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Come and join me visiting the Animal Ark, a wildlife sanctuary outside Reno,

 in September 2012,  click here for all details.

Bhutan-Book

Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon

Last  October, I lead a group of Photographers to the mysterious and for the longest time hidden Kingdom of Bhutan.  Please see my new book from this trip that includes wonderful images from all participants.

Bhutan by Meggi Raeder | Make Your Own Book

The book is available from Blurb and can be purchased by clicking on the above link:
Bhutan by Meggi Raeder.

I hope you check our my new book from an exciting trip to the high Himalaya and Bhutan, a land of happiness and serenity.

Til next time,
Meggi

Vote for Meggi's Image

Meggi's Image Among the Top 10 in Equine Photo Contest!

Friends

Wild Horses

Meggi's image: 'Friends,  Wild Horses" has been selected among the top 10 in its category by a panel of judges for the Equine Photo Contest, organized by the Equine Photographer's Network.

Now its time for the Peoples' Choice Award.  The voting is open until March 18, and I am asking you to look at all the images and vote for my image if you feel it is worth it.

The image was taken at the Return to Freedom Sanctuary in Lompoc, CA.  This sanctuary is a heaven for wild mustangs and horses who are protected there and can roam the coastal hills in freedom.  Wild horses are under much pressure in their 'homeland' in the West where BML is rounding them up, holding them in large holding facilities in Nevada, Wyoming and other places awaiting their fate.  Mustangs and wild horses are much of the heritage of the West and it is very sad to see them go.  But the pressure from ranchers and other stakeholders who want the PUBLIC land for their private endeavors is relentless and we are loosing more and more of this beautiful heritage.

As for the Photo Contest and the Peoples' Choice Award, I thank you in advance for checking out the images and give me your vote.  Thank you!

Til next time,
Meggi

New Elephants for PAWS

I just received the next PAWS newsletter and am delighted to read that the journey for the 3 expected elephants from the Toronto Zoo has almost begun.  Once in their new home, they will enjoy the freedom to roam on acres and acres of Sierra Foothill land where they can swim in a pond and bond with the other elephants there.

This news comes on the eve of my visit at PAWS for the "Seeing the Elephants" event.

Iringa's Custom-Made Transport Crate Is Now In Toronto

Tuesday afternoon, February 21, 2012, the first transport crate for moving the Toronto Zoo's three elephants, Iringa, Toka and Thika, to the PAWS sanctuary in San Andreas, CA, was loaded onto a truck for its journey to Toronto, Canada, a journey that would begin the following morning.

The crate was custom made to accommodate Iringa, with additional height to allow her to comfortably stand inside. The crate will be utilized by the zoo to begin the process of training the elephants for their journey, by truck, to ARK 2000. All training by the zoo is done with food rewards and zoo staff has already begun preliminary training.

As we often say once the process begins, "We're on elephant time now." The target date for the trip is the end of April, but the elephants will ultimately determine when they are ready to move. When we moved Maggie from Alaska, we were amazed at her quick response to treats and training.

Asian elephants Wanda and Winky were moved by truck, from Detroit Zoo, almost seven years ago. Detroit keepers and veterinarians joined our staff in the move which was quite successful despite some medical issues for Wanda. Maggie's and Wanda's keepers, docents, zoo administrators and a myriad of fans continue to visit their elephants each year.

We look forward to welcoming the Toronto Zoo elephants, as well as their friends and fans, to ARK 2000.

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New:  Join me for the next exciting photo workshop 
Photographing Wildlife Babies - Montana, July 14-17, 2012

To see all workshops and photo travel opportunities 

offered by M. Raeder - Photography, please click here.

Exhibit-Dolce Spazio

Meggi exhibits some of her award winning experimental images

During February and March 2012.

"Don't fence me in"

This image was part of a series of images exhibited as part of an Exhibit titled "Control" 

at SOMA in San Francisco

Please see all the images at Dolce Spazio Café in Los Gatos

221 North Santa Cruz Avenue

Los Gatos, CA 95030

Café (408) 395-1335

Catering (408) 888-5721

 If you find yourself downtown Los Gatos, please come and enjoy a coffee or 

one of their award winning gelatos at the Dolce Spazio Café, and 

say hello to Carol Hargett, the owner of the cafe.

"Floating"

 Somewhere in San Francisco - Intriguing Architecture

[This images was awarded a Ribbon of Excellence at the PhotoCentral Spring Exhibit, Hayward.]

New:  Join me for the next exciting photo workshop 
Photographing Wildlife Babies - Montana, July 14-17, 2012

To see all workshops and photo travel opportunities 

offered by M. Raeder - Photography, please click here.

Wildlife Babies-Montana

I just returned from Montana where I photographed wolves, lynx, mountain lions, coyotes, red and grey foxes and 2 wonderful and energetic 8-months old mountain lion cubs in the winter snow in a natural setting without fences between me and the animals!  This was an extraordinary trip and now I am able to offer and share not only this photo opportunity but also to add the rare possibility to photograph wildlife babies!
Come join me in Montana in July for this special 

                                      Wildlife Babies Photo Extravaganza!

“Wildlife Babies - Montana”

WildlifePhotography at its Best

July 14-17, 2012 Optional Activities on July 18 At the Triple D Ranch, Kalispell, Montana Workshop Leader:  Meggi Raeder

Spring is the time of new life when nature revives after the hard winter in the north, and the meadows are colorful with spring flowers.  In this setting, we will photograph wild cubs, pups and kittens.  This is a unique and very special opportunity to see and to ’capture’ these amazing baby animals in their natural environment.

©Triple D Ranch

Triple D Ranch is a family operated ranch and it offers a variety of animal species that would be difficult to photograph in the wild.  We will photograph these animals - mostly babies but some adult animals may also be included - in a selection of natural settings.  We will work with experienced and very caring animal trainers who will allow us to photograph the animals in specially designed safe areas with no fence between us and the wildlife.  Since the babies are still vulnerable and in training, the sessions will be short but they will be the best Triple D has to offer.  It will be inspirational and the images you will take home will become your prized possessions!

This maybe the only time that a tiger cub, a grizzly cub and potentially a snow leopard kitten can be photographed during the same visit at Triple D!

Anticipated baby animals will include:

Wolf Pups	Tiger cub	Grizzly cub
Kit Fox or Grey Fox Kits	Badger Pup	Snow Leopard Cub (tentative)
Bobcat kitten	Canadian Lynx kitten	Siberian Lynx Kitten
Raccoon Pups	River Otter Pup	Coyote Pups

[Please note that the listing above is tentative and cannot be guaranteed due to the fact that the babies are not yet born at the time of this writing.]

Cost of the Workshop:  $ 1350.- 

For all details, please click here.

For more information, call Meggi at

650-326-4570 or email me at mraeder33@gmail.com

Finger Monkeys

A friend passed on these adorable images to me and I just had to share them with you.

Finger Monkeys

The finger monkey is the tiniest living primate.
It's so small that it can hold on to your finger.
This cute little primate hugs and grips on to your finger so tight that it pulls your heartstrings and you wish you could take it home with you.

Finger monkeys are, as a matter of fact, pygmy marmosets.

They are also known by the names "pocket monkey” and "tiny lion".

These primates belong to the family Callitrichidae, species Cebuella and genus C. pygmaea.

They are native to rain-forests of Brazil , Peru , Bolivia , Ecuador and Colombia . (Source: Buzzle)

I hope you enjoyed the images.  For me seeing these small creatures is a reminder that we need to conserve all of our ecosystems.  There is so much talk about the disappearance of the big cats, the hippos, the rhino, the polar bears to name just a few, that we overlook hundreds of tiny creatures who disappear from the rain forests and savannas or even our own environment probably every day.  


All have a right to live and to be protected!


'Til next time,
Meggi