For Immediate Release  

CONTACT: 
Carol Buckley     carol@carolbuckley.com
Judith Newby     jpnewby@tappedinto.net

Hohenwald, Tennessee (April 11, 2010)

Carol Buckley, leading elephant authority and co-founder of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, is headed to Asia.  Elephant experts from around the world have reached out and asked Buckley to share her expertise and participate in several elephant welfare projects abroad.  “I am heartened to have the opportunity to share my knowledge, especially non-dominance, passive-control elephant management with mahouts in Nepal and Thailand.  This is a continuation of my life-long work to establish compassionate care of elephants, and to launch my vision of true sanctuary for captive elephants everywhere,” stated Buckley.

Drawing from the prototype of the 2700 acre natural-habitat elephant sanctuary she co-founded in 1995, Buckley will continue to inspire others to think beyond the boundaries of their own experience to become instruments of change. Increased awareness and sensitivity will naturally lead to the acceptance of free-range elephant sanctuaries worldwide.

Recently, Buckley launched Elephant Aid International, a new nonprofit organization.  The mission of International Elephant Aid is to assist elephants worldwide…one elephant at a time. Buckley states:  “I believe in the power of one, that every elephant counts.”

Recently, The Elephant Sanctuary Board of Directors took steps that surprised the thousands of Sanctuary supporters by posting a short statement on the Sanctuary website. “After 15 years of service, the Sanctuary celebrates the contributions of Co-founder and former CEO Carol Buckley and the Board of Directors of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee announced [today] it is beginning an international search for a CEO of the organization.”

Supporters and animal experts from around the world have strongly expressed their concerns regarding Buckley’s departure from managing the Sanctuary.  Buckley responded, “From what I have been told, which isn’t very much, the answer is quite simple: the Board of Directors wants to make changes.  Though I started the Sanctuary with my elephant Tarra, I do not own it. In the past, I held the vision, and the Board supported and worked with me to implement that vision. The Board now has its own vision which seems to veer from the singularly focused true Sanctuary concept that I support.”

When asked about her future with the Sanctuary, Buckley responded, “Of course, I am not walking away from “the Girls” or the Sanctuary. For the moment I am walking towards helping to create a better life for elephants world-wide.  In my absence a competent team will be working on my behalf.”

Buckley has more than thirty-five years experience in the care and management of elephants.  A well known speaker on elephant care, Buckley has consulted for government agencies and private organizations to improve elephant care programs and strengthen regulations pertaining to the care of elephants in captivity. In 1995, Buckley co-founded the nation's largest natural-habitat refuge for old, sick, and needy elephants, and was later honored as A Hero for The Planet by TIME magazine for her innovative work. Buckley is the author of three children’s books about elephants.

To find out more about Carol Buckley, visit her website at www.carolbuckley.com; and to monitor her travels, visit her International Elephant Aid blog at Elevisions.

####

Press Release: April 12, 2010