Meet
Gypsy

Gypsy, an Asian elephant born in the wild around 1967, was taken from her family in the wild as a young calf. For the next 40 years, she endured the harsh realities of circus life, being traded between at least six different shows.

Circus life is grueling. Elephants endure relentless travel, covering thousands of miles in cramped, unsanitary trucks. For most of their lives, elephants are kept in chains and subjected to cruel training methods involving the bullhook – a tool resembling a fireplace poker, used to control elephants through fear and pain.

Gypsy arrived at PAWS’ Galt, California, sanctuary on April 2, 2007, following a consent agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Hawthorn Corporation, a facility that trained and leased elephants to circuses. She came to PAWS alongside Nicholas, a young male elephant with whom she had formed a motherly bond. After a mandated one-year quarantine, the two were moved to the ARK 2000 sanctuary in San Andreas.

For nearly two years, Gypsy and Nicholas were inseparable, sharing food, vocalizing, and staying close to one another. However, as Nicholas matured and his natural hormonal changes emerged, the two were separated in January 2009. This marked a new chapter for Gypsy, who had fulfilled her role as Nicholas’ guardian and surrogate mother.

Today, Gypsy enjoys a peaceful and well-earned retirement. Her strength and resilience have made her a beloved member of the PAWS family.