Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” No? This rings more true today than ever before with the transparency documented online in the world wide connected web. You see, there is no villain and no hero here as we are speaking about the ‘Elephant in the room‘, a scientifically proven sentient, altruistic and empathic being alone in a barred concrete enclosure in the middle of a loud bustling city. In this evolution of life we all make mistakes. It is a part of learning, but as we learn we compassionately do better for all, understanding that we too are nature, not apart from it. We are here to live the golden rule in this golden hour together ~ “do unto others what you would have them do to you”.

We are at a precipice of change coming together to make things better, for our health, for our home ‘mother earth’ and for each other. This is at the core of our evolution, releasing outdated methods that benefit no one, as is the obvious case of Ely the 41 year old African Elephant who is living an isolated existence halfway across the world from Africa. Living away from her herd where she was born into as a WILD animal, a keystone species, living her days amidst her matrilineal herd who in fact would never spend even a single day or night apart from each other. Ely was designed by God to be an elephant, not a suffering animal displaying to kids the disconnected nature of her tremendous misery. Again, there is no villain and no heroes here, this is humanity becoming more self-aware as elephants are scientifically proven to also be. This is us coming home to our true nature, kind to our neighbors, extending our hearts for Ely as a representative of the most grandiose ecosystem engineer on the planet!

Elephants are the most significant ‘Guardians of the Wild‘ as is Ely to our better nature and so we shall come together in her healing and deliver her to the best possible natural living environment we can for her, among her own kind. Ely critically needs and deserves retirement to sanctuary to live out her days extending and lubricating her joints, by walking on vast uneven terrains massaging those gigantic feet and stiff arthritic joints that have nearly ceased due to inadequate food, standing day in and night alone in a small concrete holding cell. In nature elephants would forage 16-18hrs per day, browsing and grazing on a diversity of plants; it has been documented up to 307 different species, selecting their medicine of the moment straight from nature, from roots, shoots, charcoal to bitter herbs and barks. This massive herbivore requires an enormous amount of diversity, connection and natural activity, and sadly Ely has been deprived of all this her adult life.

Ely’s life story did not begin in this microscopic enclosure, speaking in elephant relativity, and we pray for wholeness on earth again for balance so that she will not end her days in this same extreme suffering. This was not God’s design for this prestigious masterpiece tasked with the ‘Keeper the Peace‘ on earth between humans and wild nature. More specifically, Elephants keep humans at bay on our edges of co-existence holding space for natural corridors and clean waterways protecting All of Nature, from flora, fauna, to fungi in a space to just be wild in the perfected state of earth’s natural evolution. Only when we truly open our hearts to see will we understand that heaven is already here on earth, alive and waiting for us to embrace it!

Globally we are entering higher states of consciousness, internationally collaborating in the name of justice and peace as it is the only real way to care for the one planet we live on. There are bigger things at work here, and watching how many hearts and minds who continue tirelessly to connect in honor of bringing one sentient being, Ely the Elephant, peace to retirement is inspiring. May we bring Peace to her painful arthritic body, quite literally rotting with ulcerative dermatitis; Peace to her mind suffering insanity being alone from her own kind in this exceedingly unnatural environment, well documented in her stereotypic behavior; and Peace to her soul, trunk and head pressed into the inanimate casings of her prison wall wishing them alive. Ely requires to retire from being a hard working human-managed elephant for over 37 years, between the circus where she was fed white bread for 25 years and in a concrete zoo.

This is the reality of our old paradigm. Ely is the elephant in the room, and we cannot look past her anymore. May we understand her need for large natural earth terrain, shade, elephant friends, medical care and non-chlorinated water, and as we are continually discovering the largest land animal on earth is… the MOST SENSITIVE! This is where the ripple in loving awareness shows up healing the imbalances of community, of economy, of the planet. She is ready to walk the beauty way again, the way earth delivered her to be in nature. What a stand up example Ely can be for so many, making it right for her ancestral line that have suffered at the hands of humans. The science is out and even an astounding voice for the Zoological Association of London has stated that zoos are unfit for a species of this size… to replicate the roles of its true wild healthy nature, after a century of research and discovery, is impossible! Elephants cannot be domesticated, period.

The zoo model is globally being deemed ineffective in honoring the required compassion for this exemplary and highly intelligent species. The younger generations benefit from an honest education where they see the full scope of evolutionary purpose and grace from this pachyderm. There are exceptional examples of animal education happening through life size up-cycled art projects, virtual reality experiences, and interactive models of elephant awareness. Any so-called ‘docile‘ or ‘domesticated‘ elephant that may seem to take orders has gotten to this point from an enormous amount of abuse, including a crush box, tasers, sharp metal bullhooks, etc…. They are all outdated and wholeheartedly unjust, as their use have left both the keepers of elephants and the elephants with deep trauma.

Ely was born wild in Zimbabwe and stolen from Africa in 1984 and shipped as a slave to the Americas. Humans, most especially adults, can no longer claim victim to these assaults on earth. The only victims are children, animals and elders who are put at our Mercy. And this is how I see the greatness of a nation. We must be fully accountable for our energies and actions here on earth. We ARE responsible now for healing this human inflicted cause of remedial suffering and may our actions be morally justified, honorable and honest. Thank you for putting your kindness and courage into action for Ely, Mother Earth and the Elephant Nation.

Now, let us Save Ely!