“The best-case scenario is that the organizations can work cooperatively, that elephants can be moved as stress-free as possible, and they can get to the sanctuary as soon as possible, ... I'm not as enthusiastic about this process as I wish I could be.”
“The whole process should have been filled with excitement and anticipation, ... but the whole process has been push, push, push because we wanted to make sure we saved these elephants. The bottom line is the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] and Hawthorn Corporation are completely responsible for the outcome and future of those elephants. We have no control or influence on them coming here.”
“The Elephant Sanctuary exists for two reasons. To provide a haven for old, sick or needy elephants in a setting of green pastures, old-growth forests, spring-fed ponds and a heated barn for cold winter nights. And to provide education about the crisis facing these social, sensitive, passionately intense, playful, complex, exceedingly intelligent and endangered creatures.”
“It is disappointing that elephants live in zoos and circuses, chained for days and months on end, forced to live in restricted spaces with no resemblance of anything natural. They simply exist to entertain the public. The Sanctuary elephants have freedom to do what they want, when they want, where they want. The decisions that are made about their lives are theirs to make.”
“We are pleased that the USDA enforced their regulations. We are also pleased that the elephants were released to the sanctuary where they can live out the remainder of their lives in a more natural setting.”
