ANNIE (Asian Elephant)

Annie, an Asian elephant was captured in Assam, India in January, 1954. She was part of a group of eighteen juvenile elephants captured at a natural salt lick which had attracted the herd. The hunting party built a "round stockade" of logs with a tunnel leading from the stockade. The party of five assistant hunters and sixty natives waited until the herd arrived, then, with torches and shouts, they drove the animals into the stockade.

Annie and her close companion, Tamara, shared an elephant barn/enclosure with two other elephants at the Milwaukee Zoo until 1994, when video taped recordings of cruel beatings and abusive training elicited public demands that the two elephants be sent to the PAWS sanctuary.

Tamara and Annie enjoyed a peaceful retirement in a large, grassy, tree-lined enclosure at the PAWS sanctuary in Galt, California until Tamara’s death in 2002. In an effort to alleviate Annie’s enormous grief over the loss of her companion, PAWS staff moved Annie to ARK 2000 in 2002.

Today Annie, who suffers from arthritis and joint disease after years of standing on chains and beatings at the zoo, is one of the most active of the older Asian elephants. She spends her days roaming and grazing among the trees, swimming in the lake, dusting and mud-bathing before lying down to sleep on a sunny hill.

GYPSY (Asian Elephant)

Gypsy Video Update »

LULU (African Elephant)

After a few weeks of careful introductions, 71 and Mara have welcomed their new friend, Lulu, into their exclusive little clique. Our concern was with Lulu's very small size in comparison to goliaths 71 and Mara, so we were very careful with this introduction. Since Lulu had been constantly dominated by her former companion, Maybelle, we did not want her to feel intimidated. She has now bonded with both 71 and Mara, and feels comfortable enough with them to be out in the big area. She looks like a little baby elephant next to 71, and 71 acts very protective of Lulu. A happy ending all around.

71 (African Elephant)

Our two African elephants, Mara and 71, were born in Africa and shipped to the U.S. after their mothers were shot in culls (the systematic killing of adult elephants by the government in order to control populations encroaching upon human civilization).

Slated to be sold as circus elephants, the two independently ended up at PAWS. Mara, who spent some time at a baby petting zoo, was purchased by the city of San Jose, California, and donated to PAWS through the hard work of citizens who were outraged at her sale to a Mexican circus.

71 was part of a small herd owned by a wealthy individual in Florida, where she was chronically sick and almost died. Transferred to PAWS as a final attempt to save her life, 71 was given the constant love and care she needed until she became well again.

Mara and 71 were later introduced and now share an enclosure together. Both enjoy mud bathing in the small lake within their enclosure. Their diet consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, oats, grain, hay, bamboo and acacia trees.

Maggie (African Elephant)

Maggie, an African Elephant, was born in Zimbabwe, Africa. She was brought to the Alaska Zoo, in 1983, after her mother was shot in a cull (the systematic killing of adult elephants by the government in order to control populations encroaching upon human civilization). After arriving at the Alaska Zoo Maggie became a companion for Annabelle, an Asian elephant.  Sadly, Annabelle passed away in December of 1997. In November, 2007 Maggie retired from the Alaska Zoo and was relocated to PAWS ARK 2000 sanctuary.  Today, Maggie is enjoying the warm California weather, her new expansive habitat of 75 acres, and four new African elephant friends “71”, Mara, Lulu and Ruby.

Maggie Joins her Group »

Maggie's First Tree »

MARA (African Elephant)

Our two African elephants, Mara and 71, were born in Africa and shipped to the U.S. after their mothers were shot in culls (the systematic killing of adult elephants by the government in order to control populations encroaching upon human civilization).

Slated to be sold as circus elephants, the two independently ended up at PAWS. Mara, who spent some time at a baby petting zoo, was purchased by the city of San Jose, California, and donated to PAWS through the hard work of citizens who were outraged at her sale to a Mexican circus.

71 was part of a small herd owned by a wealthy individual in Florida, where she was chronically sick and almost died. Transferred to PAWS as a final attempt to save her life, 71 was given the constant love and care she needed until she became well again.

Mara and 71 were later introduced and now share an enclosure together. Both enjoy mud bathing in the small lake within their enclosure. Their diet consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, oats, grain, hay, bamboo and acacia trees.

MINNIE (Asian Elephant)

Minnie was born in India in 1955 and captured by animal dealers and brought to the U.S. in the late 1950s. She had three owners before she joined the Ringling Bros. herd in 1987. She traveled with the Blue Unit of Ringling Bros. until July 2000. Minnie then retired to the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in Central Florida. She and Rebecca were brought to PAWS in September 2001 as part of a mutual agreement between PAWS and the circus.

Both Rebecca and Minnie have joined PAWS' Asian elephants Tammy and Annie and all are happy together.

NICHOLAS (Asian Elephant)

Nicholas Video Update »

REBECCA (Asian Elephant)

Rebecca was born in Asia in 1961, then traveled through England with the Smart Circus until 1971. At that time, she moved to Venice, Florida, with a herd of 18 other elephants. In 1974, Rebecca moved to Circus World where she lived until she began touring with the Blue Unit of Ringling Bros. in 1978. In June 2000, Rebecca retired to the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in Central Florida. She and Minnie were brought to PAWS in September 2001 as part of a mutual agreement between PAWS and the circus.

Both Rebecca and Minnie have joined PAWS' Asian elephants Tammy and Annie and all are happy together.

RUBY (African Elephant)

Arriving at PAWS in May, 2007, Ruby, now 46 years old, has been a traveling elephant much of her life. As a baby she was taken from the African wild and trained to perform with Circus Vargas until 1987 when she was sent to the Los Angeles Zoo. She lived there with Gita, and Asian elephant, until 2003 when she was sent to the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee. 18 months later, Ruby returned to the Los Angeles Zoo, until the zoo decided to move her to PAWS.

At nearly 9,000 pounds and nine feet tall at the withers, Ruby is squat and built like a tank, with big brown eyes and a sweet disposition.

After approximately four decades in the public eye, Ruby now finds herself roaming the pastures and hillsides of ARK 2000 in San Andreas, California with her other African elephant companions, Lulu, 71 and Mara.

WANDA (Asian Elephant)

After a 3 day journey that took them across the country, the two Asian elephants from the Detroit Zoo arrived safely at ARK2000 early Friday morning, April 8th, 2005. A caravan of their keepers and caregivers, veterinarians and other staff and, a large array of their favorite toys accompanied them.

Wanda Video Update »

WINKY (Asian Elephant)

In the early morning hours of April 7th, Winky, one of PAWS’ cherished Asian elephants, passed away peacefully. Born in 1952, Winky was one of the oldest elephants in the United States.

Urgent attempts were made to lift her, but she could not stand and support her back legs. She had three veterinarians in attendance while she was euthanized. Her companion, Wanda, choose to stay with her for some time. A necropsy is scheduled at UC Davis.

“Winky was a wonderful girl. She was a sweet favorite of all of those who cared for her. She had a happy spring day yesterday-– getting lots and lots of attention, and of course, lots of her special treats. We will all miss her terribly,” Derby added.