On March 27, 2010, I attended the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) Summit for Elephants. It was wonderful to be in a room full of elephant advocates and brainstorm about how to protect Asian and African elephants in captivity and the wild.  Those in attendance included:

• Sharon Niel, Conservationist and Author
• Don Tayloe, Director of The Last Elephants in Thailand documentary
• Patricia McEachern, Ph.D., Director of Drury University Forum on Animal Rights
• Julie Woodyer, Director of Zoocheck Canada
• Tim Phillips and Jan Creamer, Animal Defenders International
• Chris Draper, Born Free
• Catherine Doyle, Director of In Defense of Animals (IDA) Elephant Campaign
• and, of course, Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, PAWS founders.

I drove from San Francisco to PAWS in San Andreas particularly to hear Don Tayloe speak about Thai Elephants, the subject of The Eyes of Thailand documentary.  Mr. Tayloe attempted to summarize the problems facing Thailand’s Elephants–a huge, complex issue–in an hour-long presentation and he managed to cover a lot of ground.  First, he spoke out against “elephant painting“, which caused a bit of a ruckus among some zoo representatives who allow their elephants to paint abstractly but claim they have not taught or trained them to create the paintings made popular by the internet. Next, he explained the loophole in Thailand’s Draft Animal Act of 1939 that classifies domesticated/captive Asian Elephants as “livestock” not “endangered species”, even if they were captured from the wild, so international rulings by CITES, et al do not apply to Thailand’s captive elephants.  Finally, he discussed the exportation of Thai elephants to zoos or other captive environments in China, Japan and Australia, which Soraida Salwala, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital and featured in The Eyes of Thailand, protests.  While there is no proof that the U.S. has not imported any elephants from Thailand, Tayloe quoted a well-known belief among zoo directors that “If you want to increase your zoo attendance, get yourself a baby elephant”, a sad, but true fact for everyone at the Elephant Summit.

Don Tayloe with Motala (before she received her prosthesis) at FAE's Elephant Hospital

The afternoon wrapped with an open forum about how to move forward led by Patricia McEachern, Ph.D., Director of Drury University Forum on Animal Rights. This conversation was very exciting not only because Dr. McEachern is creating the country’s first Animal Rights minor at a U.S. University, but also because of her vision for redefining the language we use to discuss animals by incorporating experts in philosophy, criminology, psychology, biology, religion and literature in the first Animal Ethics class. What excited me the most about what Dr. McEachern is doing is that she’s educating the next generation of global citizens about issues that will only become more important as conflict for resources grows.  I also think video and social media need to be added to the mix, so I spoke with her after and suggested she add a survey of animals in film and/or an advocacy filmmaking class to her curriculum, so we’ll see what happens there…

My biggest take-away from the summit is that only by finding common ground and a common message will we as elephant advocates be able to make any headway.  If we continue the in-fighting about “good zoo” vs. “bad zoo”,  “conservation” vs. “captivity”, elephants in the U.S. vs. Africa vs. Asian, we’ll continue to be written off as “crazy animal rights people”.  Instead, if the message is “We all love elephants, but what is it that we think is important for their well being?” then we have a starting point for a conversation with people on the other side.

For more information about The Eyes of Thailand, please visit our web site and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to The Eyes of Thailand to help us edit and distribute the film by clicking “Donate Now” on our web site.  It will take you to the secure online donation page for our fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director & Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

CITIES CoP15. (Photo Credit: ElephantVoices)

March 25, 2010–Like many of our fellow elephant supporters, we’ve watched and read the updates coming out of the Convention on International Trading in Endangered Species (CITIES) in Doha this month.  Today we are happy to report that the requests from Tanzania and Zambia to down list their elephants populations from Appendix I to II and to begin to trade in ivory were both rejected.

We’ve followed the Facebook updates from ElephantVoices since the conference began on March 13, 2010 and they report:

Tanzania and Zambia amended their proposals when they realized that they might lose the vote, but despite well orchestrated interventions by supporting parties they did not succeed in achieving the two-thirds majority required. We firmly believe that down listing and ‘one-off’ sales would have further stimulated the market for ivory, and led to more killing of elephants. They did succeed in getting another vote in the plenary session today, Thursday 25th, but the victory for elephants was upheld.

This success is largely due to the extraordinary collaborations between the African Elephant Coalition (AEC, with 23 African Elephant range states as members) and the informal group Kenya Elephant Forum (KEF), which includes key stakeholders in Kenya (Save the Elephants, Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Kenya Wildlife Service, Youth for Conservation, ElephantVoices and others) co-ordinated by Pat Awori.

For more information about Elephant Voices, please visit their website and become a fan of their Facebook Page.

We’ll continue to keep you posted on how this and other elephant news effects Asian Elephants, particularly the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital featured in The Eyes of Thailand.

-Windy Borman

Director & Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

P.S. Documentaries are expensive undertakings.  Please help us continue our work on the film–and be a voice for Asian Elephants–by making a tax-deductible donation to The Eyes of Thailand through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society.  Click on “Donate Now” here and it will take you to the secure online donation page for the SFFS.  Thank you so much!

March 16, 2010–Last week we reported the Prostheses Foundation built Motala, an elephant landmine survivor at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital, a new prosthetic limb.  On March 13, 2010 (Thailand’s National Elephant Day), the Prostheses Foundation also adjusted Baby Mosha’s prosthetic limb.

Baby Mosha, an elephant landmine survivor, walks on her adjusted prosthetic limb.

Mosha, which means “star” in the Karin language, is a 3-year old Asian Elephant at FAE’s Elephant Hospital.  When she was 7-months old, Mosha stepped on a landmine along the Thailand-Myanmar border.

We first met Mosha in 2007 when she was a curious 2-year old, who wobbled on three legs.  When we returned to FAE in August 2009, Director/Producer Windy Borman filmed Mosha receiving her third prosthesis for the feature-length documentary The Eyes of Thailand.

As a permanent resident of FAE, Mosha will receive prosthetic limbs throughout her lifetime, which can be as long as 60-80 years.

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director & Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

For more information about the Ivory Ban,  please check out this recent article by Time, which discusses the history of the ivory ban and the consequences that could happen, were it lifted.

Below is a copy of an email from Avaaz.org, the online petition site asking you to sign to urge the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to extend the ban on ivory trading for another 20 years.

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The worldwide UN ban on ivory trading could soon be lifted — a decision that could wipe out Africa’s vulnerable elephants. But a number of a African nations are pushing to uphold the ban. Let’s send them a stampede of support to save the elephants. Sign the skyrocketing petition below, and forward this email widely: Sign the petition!

Within days, 2 African governments will try to pry open the worldwide ban on ivory trading — a decision that could wipe out whole elephant populations and bring these magnificent animals closer to extinction.

Tanzania and Zambia are lobbying the UN for special exemptions from the ban, but this would send a clear signal to the ivory crime syndicates that international protection is weakening and it’s open-season on elephants. Another group of African states have countered by calling to extend the trade ban for 20 years.

Our best chance to save the continent’s remaining elephants is to support African conservationists. We only have days left and the UN Endangered Species body only meets every 3 years. Click below to sign our urgent petition to protect elephants, and forward this email widely — the petition will be delivered to the UN meeting in Doha:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/protect_the_elephants/?vl

Over 20 years ago, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) passed a worldwide ban on ivory trading. Poaching fell, and ivory prices slumped. But poor enforcement coupled with‘experimental one-off sales’, like the one Tanzania and Zambia are seeking, drove poaching up and turned illegal trade into a lucrative business — poachers can launder their illegal ivory with the legal stockpiles.

Now, despite the worldwide ban, each year over 30,000 elephants are gunned down and their tusks hacked off by poachers with axes and chainsaws. If Tanzania and Zambia are successful in exploiting the loophole, this awful trade could get much worse.

We have a one-off chance this week to extend the worldwide ban and repress poaching and trade prices before we lose even more elephant populations — sign the petition now and then forward it widely:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/protect_the_elephants/?vl

Across the world’s cultures and throughout our history elephants have been revered in religions and have captured our imagination — Babar, Dumbo, Ganesh, Airavata, Erawan. But today these beautiful and highly intelligent creatures are being annihilated.

As long as there is demand for ivory, elephants are at risk from poaching and smuggling — but this week we have a chance to protect them and crush the ivory criminals’ profits — sign the petition now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/protect_the_elephants/?vl

With hope,

Paul, Alice, Iain, Ricken, Graziela, Raluca, Luis, Paula Benjamin, David, Ben and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information:

Partners at Bloody Ivory and Born Free:
http://www.bloodyivory.org/
http://www.bornfree.org.uk/

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: http://www.cites.org

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Even though the focus of this issue tends to be on African Elephants, Asian Elephants, like those in The Eyes of Thailand documentary, are also in danger if the ban is lifted.  They also have tusks and are nearer to the Asian markets that are hungry for ivory products, therefore making them an easy target….

We’ll report more as news comes in… Thank you for signing the petition and encouraging others!

-Windy Borman

Director & Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

Dr. Therchai, Associate Professor of the Prostheses Foundation, inspects the prosthesis for Motala, an elephant landmine survivor at the FAE Elephant Hospital.

March 13, 2010–Today is Thailand’s National Elephant Day.  I asked Soraida Salwala, the founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital, what the national holiday means to her and the staff and elephants at FAE’s Elephant Hospital.  She write:

The National Elephant Day was named in 1998 on the day they named “White Elephant” as the National Animal.
For us at Friends of the Asian Elephant, every day is the elephant’s day. We have them around us, taking care of them, treating them, watching the babies grow, closing their eyes when their time come, we feel the pains every day.
One day is not enough for them, we need to care for them every day of our lives.

It is clear that one day of recognition is not enough to save Asian Elephants from the overwork, abuse, or injuries they sustain in Thailand–or the rest of the world–or keep these endangered creatures from going extinct. It is my hope that The Eyes of Thailand documentary will shed light on their plight and inspire viewers to take action! Thank you for supporting us on our quest to save them.

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director & Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

P.S. In order to help us edit and distribute The Eyes of Thailand, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society.

Just click the “Donate Now” button on the film’s website and it will take you to the secure online donation page for the SFFS.

Note: Donors who donate US $100 or more will be listed in the film’s credits.  Thank you!

On March 10, 2010, I reported that the Prostheses Foundation began making a new prosthesis for Motala, an elephant landmine survivor featured in The Eyes of Thailand and a permanent resident of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand.

On March 12, Soraida Salwala, the founder of the FAE Elephant Hospital, shared the following pictures of Motala walking on her new prosthesis:

The Prostheses Foundation attach Motala's new prosthesis.

Motala stepped on a landmine in August 1999 while she and her mahout (owner) were logging near the Burmese border.  She walked for three days before arriving at FAE’s Elephant Hospital.  After 10 years of surgery, rehabilitation and fittings, the Prostheses Foundation presented her with her first prosthetic in August 2009.

Motala takes her first step on her new prosthesis

Motala received her third prosthesis (pictured here) one day before Thailand’s National Elephant Day (March 13).

Motala walks with the aid of her prosthetic limb.

We will continue to share updates and pictures from the FAE Elephant Hospital. Happy National Elephant Day!

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director and Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

This is a re-posting from the AVAAZ.org website:

Photo Credit: Avaaz.org, courtesy of Born Free Foundation

Save the Elephants: STOP BLOODY IVORY

This week, two countries are seeking to break the worldwide ban on ivory trading — a decision that could wipe out whole elephant populations and bring these magnificent animals closer to extinction.

But many African states and conservationists support extending the ban on elephant-slaughtering ivory trade. The decision will be made at a UN meeting in Doha starting on 13 March, and global public opinion could tip the balance!

Sign the petition now using the form below, then spread the word — let’s deliver hundreds of thousands of signatures to the UN convention before it’s too late:

To the 175 parties of the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species [CITIES]:

As citizens from around the world, we call on you to reject any exemptions in the global ban on the ivory trade, to extend that ban for at least 20 years, and to take all necessary steps to enforce that ban and protect the elephants.

Protect the elephants!

CITIES votes on March 13, 2010, so please take a minute to sign the petition now.  The web page includes links to share on Facebook and email your friends, making it easy for you to help spread the word.

Thanks!

-Windy Borman

Director, Producer & Writer, The Eyes of Thailand

In preparation for Thailand’s National Elephant Day on March 13, the Prostheses Foundation began molding a new prosthetic leg for elephant landmine survivor, Motala.

Staff from the Prostheses Foundation prepare to take a mold of Motala's amputated leg.

Motala stepped on a landmine on August 15, 1999.  She received her first prosthetic limb 10 years later, on August 16, 2009, a historic event we filmed for The Eyes of Thailand documentary film.

Elephant landmine survivor, Motala, waits patiently as the Prostheses Foundation staff make a mold of her amputated leg in order to build her a new prosthetic limb.

After a brief set-back, she slowly began to put more and more weight on the prosthetic limb as she learned to walk with it.  On December 25, 2009, she received a new foot pad for the prosthesis, and on March 10, 2010 the Prostheses Foundation began to build her a new prosthetic limb, which they will present to her on March 13, 2010 at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand.

After filling the mold with plaster and letting it set, the Prostheses Foundation begins to smooth and sand the mold so that it matches Motala's measurements. They will use this mold to create a cushioned liner and the prosthesis.

We will post more pictures as we receive them from Soriada Salwala, the Founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director, Producer and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand

In addition to building prosthetic limbs for elephants (like Mosha and Motala) that step on landmines, the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital also treats elephants for everything from illness to injuries.

Elephant Kamnoi pets Baby "Dante" at FAE.

On February 18, 2010 we announced that  Soraida Salwala, Founder of the FAE Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand, shared the successful birth of a new baby elephant on February 15.  One day later, Kamnoi and her healthy baby boy, whom they’ve since named Dante, arrived at FAE. To read the blog post, click here.

Baby Elephant Dante attempts to nurse at FAE's Elephant Hospital.

I am happy to report that Kamnoi and Dante are continuing to bond, although he sometimes needs to get a boost to reach his mother to nurse!

Baby Dante gets a boost from FAE staff to nurse.

Dr. Preecha and the staff at FAE are also supplementing his mother’s milk with goat’s milk.  Soriada wrote to explain:

Mother of Baby “Dante” does not have enough milk. She is feeding him but the milk is not enough. So, when he is still hungry, we feed him with goat milk.

Kamnoi watches as Dr. Preecha feeds Baby Dante at FAE.

Please send good thoughts for Dante to continue to grow to Soraida and her staff at FAE’s Elephant Hospital.  We’ll send updates as they come!

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director, Producer and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand

Dr. Preecha feeds Baby Dante at FAE.

On February 26, 2010, Soraida Salwala, Founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand, wrote to share:

Motala and Mosha are the same. Mosha is not happy since she could not wear the prosthetic leg last week. We are looking forward to the new ones being made on The National Elephant Day (13 March).

We look forward to sharing the new pictures of Mosha and Motala, two elephant landmine survivors also featured in The Eyes of Thailand, walking on their new prostheses next week.  Please check back after March 13, 2010.

-Windy Borman

Director, Producer and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand