Posts Tagged ‘elephants’
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
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
Tags: animal welfare, CITES, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, endangered, ivory, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
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
Tags: animal abuse, animal rights, animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, prosthesis, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
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.
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, Dante, Dr. Preecha, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Kamnoi, landmine, Mosha, Motala, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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
Tags: animal abuse, animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, prosthesis, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Corinne Morton taught her 6th Grade Science classes in Ithaca, NY (USA) about the plight of elephants in the wild and captivity. Inspired by The Eyes of Thailand trailer, three students wrote poems about Thai elephants. Below is the final poem:
Thailand Elephants Cry for Help!
by Sequoia Kay-Hill age 11 Boynton Middle School
Thailand Elephants are from crying for help
With a Voice that must be heard
From being beaten, starved, maimed and distraught
From wandering earth with only one purpose
To be in a circus, zoo or working at a logging station
To make money and entertain tourists
From all over the world
To walking the streets begging for food
From elephants taking people on rides
Doing gymnastics in the streets
From little baby elephants being taken away from their parents
To be starved for days on end, broken into submission
Thailand elephants are from crying for help
With a voice that must be heard
Elephants are from emotions
From shedding one solitary tear from their eyes
From happy moments
To sad and depressing ones
Thailand elephants are from crying for help
With a voice that must be heard
Thailand Elephants are from the joy of seeing friends again
From being cared for by smiling faces and friendly hands
From comfortable sanctuary instead of a life of torture
From seeing that someone cares for them
From spraying themselves with water from a pond
To roaming free
Thailand elephants are from crying for help
With a voice that must be heard
From stepping on land mines
To having loving people make prosthetic legs for them
From having a broken leg, yet still having to work
From elephant hospitals starting to arise
From people caring for these fascinating beings
Thailand elephants are from crying for help
With a voice that must be heard
People this cruelty must stop
Ring out with your voices
Think with your hearts
How could this go on for so long
Our fellow creatures are in trouble
And need our help
Always remember
Speak with your heart
The voice for elephants
Thank you to Ms. Morton and all her students who continue to fight to save elephants!
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Producer, Director and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: animal abuse, animal welfare, Circus, Corinne Morton, elephants, logging, prosthetic, Windy Borman, Zoo
Posted in Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
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.
On February 15, 2010, Soraida Salwala, Founder of the FAE Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand, announced the successful birth of a new baby elephant:
A new baby was born at Mae Ping Camp in Chiang Mai last night. The baby weighs only 30 k.m. (same as Tiny). Dr. Preecha reached Pung Noi and her baby before noon. Preparation to transport both the mother and her male baby is being carefully carried out.
On February 16, 2010, Pung Kamnoi and her healthy baby boy arrived at FAE:
Dr. Preecha says the baby looks good. We have the soy milk ready in case his mother is not ready to feed him.
The first photos of the happy mother and baby appear below.
Kamnoi arrives at FAE by truck.
The staff at FAE encourage the wobbly newborn elephant to walk off the truck.
Kamnoi and her healthy baby boy.
Kamnoi and Baby Boy.
We are happy to see Kamnoi and her baby bonding and will share more news and photos as we get them. Please stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Producer, Director and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently fundraising to edit and distribute the film so we can tell the world about the plight of the Asian Elephants and share the great work that Soraida and her staff do at FAE. To make a tax-deductible donation to the film, please visit our website and click “Donate Now“. It will take you to the secure online donation page for our fiscal sponsor, The San Francisco Film Society. Thank you!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Chiang Mai, documentary, Dr. Preecha, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Kamnoi, landmine, Mosha, Motala, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
FAE's Mobile Vets visit an Elephant camp in Thailand
In addition to providing comprehensive veterinary care at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital in Lampang, Thailand, FAE also offers a Mobile Vet Clinic for elephant owners and camps that cannot afford to bring their elephants to Soraida Salwala (the Founder), and the vets, Dr. Preecha and Dr. Kay.
Dr. Kay treats a patient during her Mobile Vet visit.
While one of FAE’s goals is to recognize working elephants under the Endangered Species Act in Thailand–currently elephants in captivity are considered livestock and not an “endangered species”, even if they were originally caught in the wild–FAE’s overwhelming concern is to treat and protect every elephant from illness, abuse and neglect.
Dr. Kay with Boonthong and her baby
On January 10, 2010, Dr. Kay (in the green) visited this elephant camp and treated work elephants at an Elephant Camp.
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Dr. Kay, Dr. Preecha, elephants, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Mobile Vet, Soraida Salwala, Thailand
Posted in Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Motala and Baby Mosha each received their new prostheses from the Prostheses Foundation. Both Asian Elephants are survivors of landmine accidents and star in the feature-length elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Motala stepped on a landmine on August 15, 1999. She received her first prosthetic limb 10 years later, on August 16, 2009. 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.
The Prostheses Foundation gave Motala's prosthesis a new foot pad.
Mosha stepped on a landmine in June 2006. Because she was younger (only 7 months old), her wounds healed faster and the Prostheses Foundation built a prototype for a prosthetic elephant’s leg for her in June 2008. This is Mosha’s fourth prosthesis and she will need more throughout her lifetime as she continues to grow.
Mosha's new prosthesis, January 2, 2010.
The Prostheses Foundation checked on Mosha’s and Motala’s prostheses on December 22, 2009. Soraida Salwala, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand, expected them to receive their new prostheses on January 2, 2010.
Happy Holidays!
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here. Thank you for your support!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, endangered, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, prosthetic, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
ACTION ALERT: With elephant logging now illegal in Thailand, many owners look to the tourism industry for income. There are now over 2,000 elephants working in tourist treks, as street beggars, or performing in elephant circus shows in Thailand. While some tourists think it is fun and exciting to see an elephant up close, feed her bananas, or walk through the jungle on her back, the reality is much different.
The elephants are not only overworked, but they also suffer injuries from performances or car accidents, water poisoning from dirty city water, starvation, and the list goes on… But tourist awareness and education will decrease the demand for working elephants.
The Lonely Planet Guides are printed in 8 languages and are one of the most popular traveler’s guides. This petition demands the addition of the dark side of the elephants tourism industry in the company’s books, so that travelers may make conscious decisions before unknowingly supporting any abuse.
Tags: animal abuse, animal welfare, asian elephant, Change.org, elephants, logging, Lonely Planet, petition, Thailand, tourism
Posted in Action Alert, Notes from the Director | 2 Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
MaeNoi is helped off the truck after arriving at FAE.
December 12, 2009–New patient who arrived yesterday, MaeNoi, an eleven year old pregnant elephant, has been relieved from bloat. MaeNoi is already 15 months pregnant which means she was pregnant when she was only less than 10 years old. [According to Wikipedia, female elephants usually reach estrus around age 13 and carry the fetus for 22 months. For more information, click here.]
Last night MaeNoi cried for her friends. They work at the hotel in Chiang Rai but she managed to sleep for over an hour. Mosha is so interested in MaeNoi since they are both young, she climbed her fenced enclosure to have a look.
-Soriada
Founder, FAE
Tags: animal rights, animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Chiang Rai, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Mosha, pregnant, Soraida Salwala
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE | No Comments »