My love for elephants began on a visit to my hometown zoo. Two beautiful elephants were about 100 feet away from the fence where I stood -  both standing next to each with their eyes piercing into mine. I could feel their sadness and their plea. My heart broke for them. I remember thinking about them for days. A while later, I was more than grateful to hear the zoo had the integrity and compassion to put the needs of the elephants before greed and profit, enforcing a new policy that elephant captivity is unethical and harmful to their health and well-being. The Detroit Zoo would no longer display elephants, sending Winky and Wanda to a sanctuary in California. I applaud the Detroit Zoo for their act of humanity and grace, and also for the exceptional care they give to the wildlife still in their care. Sadly, Winky died of chronic arthritis and foot pain only three years of being in the sanctuary, and Wanda lived 10 years of freedom before she passed.

After, I went on an elephant seeking journey through the beautiful country of Thailand to see how they live, with a focus on the sanctuaries that take them in. I became passionate of their story and knew I needed to help them. Captive elephants have a very complex story, one that has many, many, layers with regard to their well being and care after rescue. Many sanctuaries mask as sanctuaries, yet still abuse and exploit them only using them for profit, yet others are trying their best do all they can to rescue and help them. 

Elephants have been exploited by humans for centuries  - hunted as game, poached for their ivory, meat, and skin, enslaved in the tourist industry, circuses, roadside zoos, brutally used in the logging industry.  With the growth of population and infrastructures in Africa and Asia, there are frequent human-elephant conflict because the development on these lands cross the migration routes of the herds.They must also deal with trying to survive other wildlife, snares and traps, environmental threats - such as drought, floods, and mud pits.

Elephants do not exist for humans - for our entertainment, for our medicine, to ride upon, on our bodies or clothing, they are not for someone to hunt and kill to for their pleasure. They are the closest animals to humans when it comes to feelings and empathy than any other animal on the planet. If you meet an elephant, they will never forget you! They should be here to live the life they were meant to live, a life of freedom for themselves with their families.

My goal is to educate and empower people to become aware of the plight of the elephant and all the beautiful creatures on this planet, to understand that animals deserve respect, love, kindness, and the freedom to live a life without fear or pain, or of suffering, and confinement.
I’m committed to supporting the charitable organizations that practice only the highest standards and care for their elephants.