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)

On April 2, 2007, Nicholas and Gypsy arrived in Galt after an uneventful trip. Both were very cooperative for the unloading, and showed little anxiety except when they were separated briefly during the process. The two elephants are closely bonded and their devotion to each other is indescribably touching. They share food, rumble, chirp and remain in close proximity to each other at all times. 

They love bath time out in the yard. Gypsy will use the muddy hill as a giant slip and slide and slide down the hill on her side. Walk back up the hill and the slide down on her other side.  Post bath they will use each other to rub against and exfoliate.

Gypsy was friends with Ronnie (Nicholas’ mother) and Debbie before their move to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. In February of 2006 Ronnie and all the elephants at Hawthorn except Nicholas and his female companion, Gypsy, were transported to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Hawthorn Corporation negotiated a consent agreement which permitted the transfer of  Nicholas and Gypsy to the PAWS Sanctuary in California.

A big THANK YOU to Bob Barker for pledging the first half of their construction funds and to all of our dedicated volunteers who helped us renovate the Galt elephant area for the two elephants as they wait for their spacious new habitat and their next big adventure.

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)

IMPORANT NOTE: 71, one of PAWS’ cherished African elephants, peacefully passed away recently.  Her PAWS family was with her.  She was 26 years old.

In memory of 71, a new foundation has been established by PAWS. The 71 Memorial Foundation will focus its efforts on stopping the exportation of African elephants calves from their country of origin, as well as eliminating the use of elephants in entertainment.

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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.

Please see 71's photo gallery HERE »

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)

IN MEMORIAM MINNIE 1955-2009

For the past few months, Minnie had been experiencing a recurrence of her urinary tract infections and bladder problems which have plagued her for many years. This was the first incident in three years, and we hoped that the miraculous effects produced by her cranberry diet might have cured her.

During this last bout, Minnie refused most food and water except for cranberry sauce and cereal. We hand fed and watered her, and administered necessary medications at two hour intervals around the clock. We were all concerned that we might lose our beloved Minnie.

Miraculously, once again, she began eating and drinking on her own. During the month of January, she made incredible strides toward recovery, and we were optimistic that she would have one more summer in the lake with her friends.

On Wednesday, January 21, she had her very best day, playing with Rebecca and chirping and squeaking at her keepers who were delighted to see her joyful behavior. Ed Stewart, one of her favorite people, spent most of the day with her, and Pat Derby fed her buckets of her favorite treats. Ed gave her a very warm bath, and she spent several hours throwing dirt, chirping and thumping. Everyone was delighted with her progress.

Minnie and Rebecca went into their dirt stall in the barn, and ate hay and dusted in the late afternoon. At 6:00 PM, the afternoon keeper, Jon, served meals to Minnie and Rebecca, and Minnie devoured every bit of her food. As Jon stood there warming up water for their drink, Minnie laid down and seemed to be going off to sleep. Jon called softly to her, then realized she had stopped breathing.

Minnie, our 54 year old circus retiree whose vocalizations and sweet disposition charmed everyone at ARK 2000, died peacefully in her barn with Rebecca, her long time companion, and Pat Derby, Ed Stewart and her keepers at her side. Her peaceful posture and the serenity with which she slipped away were a great comfort to all of us. Minnie, who had endured years chained in railroad cars died tranquilly among her old friends.

Rebecca slept next to her, and Wanda, Annie, Pat, Ed and her keepers, Annamarie, Tom, Jon and Brian spent their last evening with the beloved leader of the Asian group. We are so grateful to our dedicated keeping staff and veterinarians who spent all their time and energy feeding, medicating and caring for Minnie.

We take comfort in our loss knowing that her last days afforded the peace and dignity which this great lady deserved.

We will miss you, Minnie.

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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.

NICHOLAS (Asian Elephant)

On April 2, 2007, Nicholas and Gypsy arrived in Galt after an uneventful trip. Both were very cooperative for the unloading, and showed little anxiety except when they were separated briefly during the process. The two elephants are closely bonded and their devotion to each other is indescribably touching. They share food, rumble, chirp and remain in close proximity to each other at all times. 

They love bath time out in the yard. Nicholas will stomp in water, dig in the mud with his tusks, and mud bathe for as long as possible on hot days.  Post bath they will use each other to rub against and exfoliate.

In 1994, at the Hawthorn Corporation facility in Illinois, Ronnie, a female Asian elephant, gave birth to Nicholas. Nicholas is now a nine and a half foot 14 year old and still growing. In February of 2006 Ronnie and all the elephants at Hawthorn except Nicholas and his female companion, Gypsy, were transported to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Nicholas and Gypsy remained at the facility while a search for a new home was conducted. There were no reputable facilities that were willing to take Nicholas.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Hawthorn Corporation negotiated a consent agreement which permitted the transfer of  Nicholas and Gypsy to the PAWS Sanctuary in California.

A big THANK YOU to Bob Barker for pledging the first half of their construction funds and to all of our dedicated volunteers who helped us renovate the Galt elephant area for the two elephants as they wait for their spacious new habitat and their next big adventure.

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.