Campaign Details
ABES: A New Vision for Sanctuary
- Elephant informed – As the "Elephants'" in our name reflects, ABES design, function, and human conduct are shaped by Elephant values, ethics, and needs.
- Trauma informed – ABES' is grounded in the scientific principles of trans-species psychology and trauma recovery.
- Trans-species –We are a cross-species alliance working together to achieve the common goal ofcreating a world where all animals live in freedom and dignity.
- Boundless – The physical space of ABES is finite, but as our diverse collaborations for Elephant Liberation illustrate, our engagement and vision are global.
- Dynamic – ABES is not static but serves to promote the evolution of human culture to achieve animal self-determination and trans-species well-being.
Why the emphasis on Male Elephants?
Male Elephants (bulls) are misunderstood and abused. Because their hormonal period (musth) is accompanied by a natural, increased assertiveness, bulls are usually chained, isolated, or punished. As a result, they are incorrectly deemed solitary animals who, unlike their wild brothers, are forced to live without companionship. ABES residents will live chain-free, even during musth. They will have a lifetime home and the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with other bulls and carers.
Sanctuary vs. Zoo
Science's recognition of human-animal psychological comparability, vulnerability to trauma and stress, the traumatogenic nature of captivity, and trauma transmission across generations clearly shows that Elephant capture, captivity, and captive-breeding are not only profoundly unethical, but untenable for any purported goal of species conservation. Yet zoos and other captive industries continue to maintain that the psychological and physical needs of Elephants are being met under their deficient standards of care.
The physical and psychological trauma that captive-held Elephants endure and the loss of family and homeland cannot be reversed. Although it is still captivity, sanctuary differs vastly from zoos in terms of philosophy, care, and environment (see chart). As such, Sanctuary can make huge strides in helping heal, mitigating the effects of captivity, and transforming captive life from oppression to self-empowerment and renewal. This is a central goal of ABES.
We invite Billy, a male Asian Elephant residing at Los Angeles Zoo, to live at ABES. He has lived alone since 1989 after he was stolen from his mother and homeland.
We also offer a transition home for the Swaziland Elephants who were abducted last year from their African homeland and shipped to three U.S. zoos. If they are unable to return home, we offer a permanent home so they may live in dignity, part of the global movement for Elephant self-determination.
We will not consider these cases closed until all Elephants and other incarcerated Animals are free.
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