From Carol

In Asia

May 3

While legal issues concerning recent Board actions are being dealt with I am pleased to be in Asia continuing my life’s work, helping needy elephants.

Namaste,
Carol

the move

Asia, here I come!

First of all, let me thank each and every one of you for sharing my love for elephants, my vision of sanctuary, and my search for a compassionate way to manage elephants in any environment worldwide. I also thank you for your personal kindness and support during this difficult time.

The Board’s decision to place me on leave in November, and to terminate my employment on March 17, 2010, has resulted in a collective wave of confusion, concern and pain for me and thousands of Sanctuary supporters. We are all connected, sharing the joys and sorrows of the Sanctuary; so it is no surprise that we are sharing this painful experience as well. In the struggle to make sense of all of this, people are searching for answers. From what I have been told, the answer is quite simple; the Board wants to make changes. As the governing body of the Sanctuary, it is their right to make changes provided they abide by their fiduciary responsibility and adhere to the mission of the Sanctuary.

The Board’s action is difficult for us to accept because we don’t want it. We have grown protective of the way the Sanctuary operates and were preparing the way for the next elephants waiting in the wings for a permanent home. But, though I co-founded the Sanctuary, I do not own it. Because I was never given a contract, I can be fired at any time for any reason, or for no reason at all. I spent many weeks fighting the Board’s action, but the fact is that the CEO is responsible to align the organization with the strategic vision of the Board. In the past, I held the vision, and the Board supported and worked with me to implement that vision. The Board apparently now has its own vision.

With a lot of hard work and your support, the Sanctuary has had tremendous growth. Perhaps the Board is experiencing growing pains as a consequence. Unquestionably, their attempt at transition and the manner in which they did it has not been graceful. The Board did not offer unbiased negotiations, mediation or any conflict resolution. In fact, there was no clear communication about their intentions or plans. Unfortunately, the lack of dialogue fueled distrust and created an outcry by the international community of elephant experts as well as donors.

So where do we go from here? 

Due to the expertise that I have developed from being with Tarra and the Girls for the past 35 years, I have been invited by the worldwide elephant experts, to go to Asia. I have enthusiastically accepted. The reality of sharing my non-dominance, passive-control system with mahouts in Nepal and Thailand is seriously exciting. So, I have set my focus on continuing my passion for compassionate care of elephants, both locally and internationally, and to launch the concept of true sanctuary to others worldwide.

This, of course, does not mean that I am walking away from the Girls or the Sanctuary. I am walking towards helping to create a better life for elephants worldwide. While I am abroad expanding my work, a competent team here at home will address personal grievances with the Board.  My hope is that these issues will be pursued privately toward a right and just conclusion to this chapter in the history of the Sanctuary. Hopefully, the Board will also agree to address the concerns of the donors and work diligently to regain their trust.

Without a doubt I am confident that the Girls will benefit from the upcoming spring weather and remain unaffected by the antics of the humans who control their destiny.

You are family! Many have been on this journey with me since The Elephant Sanctuary was a dazzling image in my mind. You are true, and you have made all of our elephant rescues possible. I cannot thank you enough for your support and trust. The future is indeed bright! Just imagine what we can accomplish together for all of the elephants who are still waiting for that shift in consciousness which will result in positive change.

Namaste
Carol

why the comments are gone

I want to thank all of you for your love and support, it really warms my heart. Many of you have asked why I removed the comments from my site. I did so to avoid any perception of fueling the fire. The Sanctuary is my dream and I want only the best for the girls.

Carol

From the Dalai Lama

"If we have a positive mental attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace. On the other hand, if our mental attitude is more negative, influenced by fear, suspicion, helplessness, or self-loathing, then even when surrounded by our best friends, in a nice atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, we shall not be happy."

elephants have blessed my life.....

the Sanctuary is my gift to the elephants

the GIRLS

We can’t let our frustration and anger blind us. I know your number one focus has always been the welfare of the GIRLS. Please continue to support our precious elephants and their home.

my agenda is my life's work

I did leave the information confidential and have been trying to work with the Board with the attorneys for four months. The Board went public by posting on the site and providing a press release to the local newspaper announcing that I was leaving. We all know the girls will not want for anything. Between the savings I secured for their future and the donors who would never abandon them, support will not suffer, but the reputation of the Sanctuary already has. My attorney continues to be in communication with the Board's attorney but the Board refuses to mediate.

Carol

overwhelmed by your support

Unfortunately, at this time I am unable to answer most of the questions posed on my site. I know how frustrating this is for you and believe me I have spent many weeks experiencing the same frustration. But I continue to walk softly in the hopes that irreparable harm to the girls and the Sanctuary can be avoided. Please know that I feel each of your questions is valid and deserving of a response. The one question that I know is on the top of everyone’s list is am I allowed to visit with the elephants. Fortunately, as long as I can stay in my home (yes I am still here) I can see and hear Liz, Frieda, Billie-Sue, Minnie, Lottie, Deb and Ronnie. My favorite time is late at night when Minnie and Lottie engage in their trumpeting contests. In harmony with the howling coyotes, the girls sing and trumpet. You just can’t believe how long-winded Minnie is; she blasts her trumpet and carries it full strength for minutes at a time. It’s impressive. When I call to her across the pasture to encourage the playful activity she burst into trumpet songs which echo down the valley and scale over the hills all the way to New Asia. But seeing Tarra and the other girls is a bit more difficult. I must ask permission and wait for a response. Permission seldom comes and when it does I am sometimes restricted to a 30 minute visit.

Carol

What constitutes a herd member?

A recent Sanctuary communication to a supporter, signed Your Friends at the Sanctuary, contained this statement. “The fundamental relationships for the elephants are those with their true herd members.” I guess what I would ask is, define what is meant by “ true herd member.” Clearly, a true herd member in the wild is a related family member. But the Sanctuary is a captive environment; none of our elephants are related by blood. They are not born into this family, instead they form a family. Caregivers are members of that family. They provide food, water, friendship, access to freedom and the sense of security that enables the elephants to recover from their past traumas.

I challenge the suggestion that the caregivers do not hold a special place in the hearts of these elephants. To suggest that the elephants do not benefit from the relationships they develop with caregivers is counter-intuitive. If we were to believe that caregivers do not enhance the lives of these elephants then one might argue that since Bella is a dog, her relationship with Tarra is somehow insignificant. Goodness, what has happened to the Sanctuary’s philosophy that the girls must be allowed to decide what and who they want in their lives?

Carol Buckley

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March 19, 2010

Breaking the silence

On November 21, 2009 I was placed on an involuntary leave of absence. I was told by the Board that some staff had complained that they felt intimidated by my management style. I was instructed not to speak to staff, media or you, the donors. I voiced my concern about the donors not being told of my status as it was the end-of-year giving time. I did not want to be party to the donors being misled. My concerns fell on deaf ears. I hired an attorney because the Board would not communicate directly with me.

On January 19, 2010, I was removed as CEO, President, and Board member. I was offered employment as Director of Global Outreach which would effectively remove me from the Sanctuary; from my on-grounds home of 15 years and my access to the elephants, including Tarra. This job would further restrict me from doing any elephant welfare work in the United States.

Even though the request was made numerous times, the Board refused to mediate. Elephant experts from around the world wrote letters of support asking the Board to reconsider. Among them were Cynthia Moss of Ambosili Trust, Joyce Poole of Elephant Voices, Gay Bradshaw renowned expert in elephant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Will Travers of The Born Free Foundation. Also former Executive Council Emeritus Presidents of The Elephant Sanctuary wrote letters of concern regarding Board action and asking for mediation.  All communications to the Board went unacknowledged.

On March 17, 2010, I was called into the office of Mary Baker, Acting CEO. I was terminated from the Sanctuary.

As you can probably imagine I never thought that this could happen at my beloved Sanctuary that I envisioned, co-founded and built. When I was put on leave, removed as CEO, President and Board member, I was restricted from communicating with donors. These past four months of silence have weighed heavily on me. I had hoped through mediation or some reasonable action the Board would have found a solution.  At this time I feel a moral and ethical responsibility to inform you of the situation. Your support and trust in me has been the life blood of the Sanctuary and for all you have done I am eternally grateful.

Carol Buckley

Dear Friends

Thank you so much for your outpouring of concern and support. Many have inquired about my health; no worries, I am as fit-as-a-fiddle, simply could not be healthier. These past fifteen years have been a dream come true for me. Tarra, my mentor, continues to be my inspiration. Had it not been for Tarra and my deep sense of responsibility to her, The Elephant Sanctuary would not exist. Creating the Sanctuary was my way of ensuring that Tarra would live in an environment where she could flourish. Obviously, that is exactly what has transpired, and not only for Tarra, but for all of her sisters; each finding autonomy, connecting to their elephantness and forming lifelong bonds with each other. I admit, I too saw myself growing old at the Sanctuary with my cherished friends…. but one never know what’s around the corner. Despite the recent news accounts, as of this posting, no final determination has been made regarding my continued relationship with The Elephant Sanctuary. I am in the process of exploring various options and remain confident that all that has recently transpired will ultimately work out for the best.

Over the next many days and weeks I will be developing my web site to include information about my hopes, dreams, travels, and international elephant work. I invite you to join me on this unexpected journey. I hold to the belief that our lives are forever intertwined, that the deep relationships that exist between me and the girls will never be severed. Our hearts vibrate as one, creating the thread of love that joins us, forever.

One World…One Elephant at a Time

Carol Buckley

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