Ned's Arrival

[BgMsDangerus]

How can anyone treat such a gentle, loving, caring elephant so badly. I'm so glad she came to the Sanctuary and knew real love and kindness in her last months of life.

[robynvanhorn]

awe poor ned : (

[Keith5Cats2]

Animals and humans alike are not disposable. We gotta change our thinking and acting.

[jessrom32087]

Free at last sweet boy.

[megaelectrolyte]

If you google this guy Lance Ramos aka Lancelot Kollmann the tiger trainer he was arrested in 2009 for domestic violence

[DAOzz83]

I hope this won't bring up bad memories...

So, I was, of course, apalled, and flat-out shocked to see an ELEPHANT that looked as though it would blow away in a stiff breeze. But my analytical nature got the better of me, and I couldn't help but notice that while Ned looked like a skeleton, he looked like very LARGE skeleton. Are asian elephant males usually this tall?

[elephantsanctuarytn]

@DAOzz83 Yes, male elephants are generally much larger than females. We wish we could have known Ned in a much healthier state--he was a beautiful soul.

[Twilighter9829]

I LOVE NED but i cant believe he died <3

[sweetpea3339]

There is a place in hell for people like Lance Ramos. I'm so glad the last 6 months of Ned's life were spent at the Sanctuary where he was able to experienced love and compassion for probably the only time in his long 21 years of life. No more beatings....no more hooks......no more whips......no more work! Sleep well now Sweet Ned on your beautiful cloud in heaven.

[Keith5Cats2]

@sweetpea3339 When I was about 4 years old I got the chance to see a circus that came to town. I was given a once in a life time opportunity to ride on and elephants back with many other kids. I recall with clarity climbing up the wooden ladder to get up on his back. I remember the terrible terrible condition this elephant was in. He was so old and neglected. His skin was raw and dry. And I refused to be apart of this abuse. I couldn't do it. I got down and we left the circus.I'll never go again

[Joema2]

Dear Ned, we had such high hopes for you. You knew peace and love at the end. RIP, free at last.

[xeniakennedy]

avoid circuses, they abuse animals like poor Ned who only lived 1/3 of his life due to stress, ulcers and not being in a good environment

[Jessalyn7ate9]

Heartbreaking, I really don't know what else to say. I know what I would do to the old owner though!!! Selfish profiteer !

[IvyLULZ]

um...how can an elephant get emaciated? don't they have,like, 2,000 pounds of fat?

[wirramirra26]

@IvyLULZ Elephants can be starved and not cared for just like any other animal. Poor Ned, this video is heartbreaking. He is so thin stepping down from the trailer, and so beautiful! RIP beautiful Ned!

[xeniakennedy]

@IvyLULZ

stress and ulcers killed him

[CaitlinBrooksMusic]

Gosh, that is very tragic! Ned died on my 23rd birthday!

Shame on Lance Ramos!

[dancersiss]

rest in peace sweety

[564sunshine]

poor baby :(

[SweetJudith12345]

Rest in peace darling Ned......

[judyrusso]

The Tennessee Sanctuary are wonderful people. Now that I've found them, I will be donating. It broke my heart watching Ned and knowing all that he had been through, so many years at the hands of cruel and uncaring people.

That's why it's so important to get more elephants into sanctuary.

[sylonis55]

Beautiful boy...what did you ever do to deserve the life you were forced into? Why do humans like the man who owned you have to exist...instead of you? You were lucky to have died in the arms of people who truly cared about you, and tried the best they could to save you. But...perhaps you were too tired. Rest in Peace beautiful boy and know that you were loved by people who never had the chance to know you...

[bookishfilly]

RIP sweet boy. You are now truly free. Thank you for giving him his dignity back and loving him for the last few months of his life.

[HotRedStilettos]

Rest in peace beautiful. I am glad you found love and true companionship in your final months.

Sanctuary founders and staff, you are amazing people and I wish there were more like you out there. Thank you for giving these elephants a life.

[CDLver]

The USDA failed to act promptly in their confiscation of Ned from his human tormenter!

Thank you, Elephant Sanctuary, for giving Ned back his dignity in the last months of his life.

[boyblue922]

Rest in Peace Ned- xoxoxoxo

[tsween21]

I'm glad to see Ned was able to spend the remaining year of his life in a place that is loving and kind to elephants. Lance Ramos caused Ned unspeakable amounts of abuse as is evident from Ned's appearance when arriving at this sanctuary. I wish all of the elephants and other animals used by Ringling Bros. and other circuses and zoos could be rescued and placed in sanctuaries like these.

[weepingturtle]

Oh, he is missing so much of his muscle mass...I imagine the trip to safety must have been very hard on him. I know he felt a huge wave of relief and love. Damn the man responsible! Damn him...

[donna1948ful]

Maybe we could take our grief for Ned and help Tina, Queenie and Jewel...write the usda your senators and congressmen.they are so sad and need to be confiscated...action we can do it

[LynnElizabeth]

I'm sick to hear of Ned's death. The abuse he suffered at the hands of his "trainer," Lance Kollman (Ramos?) of Florida, is so tragic. The USDA knew of his condition almost 1 year before confiscating Ned, who continued to deteriorate under this sick man's care.

RIP, Ned, and all of the animals who died due to abuse at the hands of people who say they are "trainers" who love the animals they are abusing.

[diane189444]

His health was not good the abuse took a tool just like it does us...it upsets our insides. You and all the people who worked saving him to a wonderful job you were angels that gave him life until it was time for him to go...the sadness in his eyes in the beginning of the video breaks your heart

[lclagu]

I heard that Ned had a stomach ulcer. R.I.P Ned

[linshr10]

Ned died yesterday, May 15, 2009 I'm so sorry Ned, you were so sick when you were finally rescued....US Dept of Agriculture is not doing their job.....too many elephants are suffering at the hands of circus and zookeepers.....I'm so sorry Ned, the elephant sanctuary tried so hard to get you healthy again....

[ElephantsAreSmart]

@linshr10 So sad....

What's wrong with the USDA? It's a disgrace.

[shalomcharlotte]

Rest in Peace sweet Ned. I love you.

[RedMoonAi]

god hes skin and bones. this makes me cry, dumb abusers.

[LittoMoon]

omg he is like skin and bones.. :(

[Kinetocorp]

I hope that Ramos and other animal abusers rot in hell.

[harrypotterfan5898]

Poor Ned :)  I am so happy he is recued now. I love elephants!

[xxlaciebrookexx]

omg i cried...this is so sad...but in the end...so happy. I can't believe how thin he is. He is so huge...I don't see how anyone could be so cruel to such an amazing animal...Their so huge but so graceful at the same time. It almost reminds me of a holocost victom getting freed from a concentration camp. May he live the rest of his days in peace and happiness!

[shalomcharlotte]

That was so well stated.

Sadly Ned died today. He absolutely did live every last day like a king in his sanctuary with all those girls!

Alot of people loved Ned and prayed for him.

[Discordia5]

I didn't know an elephant could be so thin... It felt so good to watch him eat, although I'm sure it was even better for him. I look forward to watching Ned's story continue (I feel bad that he cannot live at the Sanctuary, because it's probably the happiest place he's ever known, but I guess I understand.)

[seekstruth]

Great work. Thank you.

[mrwufflez]

this video brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad Ned's being taken care of.

[SheilaAnn883]

This video brought tears to my eyes, he was so underweight. The people that work at the sanctuary are angels, I'd love to voulenteer there. Looking forward to seeing Ned put some weight on and live a much deserved happy life.

[scriptum60]

Even as a little girl I hated the circus and I can't stand zoos -- I always felt sorry for the animals. :'(

[BenStilller]

it made me cry.

and i never cry.

[DH2020]

This elephant is only like 20 years old?! it looks so frail and old. Damn circuses, are no place for any wild animals.

[RedMoonAi]

only 20? i thought he wass very old too.

[eiguoc]

This is not how an elepjant should look. You could tell he was starving, His cheecks looked sunkin in. I watch Djuma & Pete's Pond live streaming cams & they are beautiful creatures. I hope this one survives to live a long life.

[CelticLady44]

I will never, EVER support another circus with performing animals ever again! The utter cruelty in forcing these creatures to perform for our amusement has never been brought home more forcefully than seeing them in TES. This has changed me too.

[hopepren]

Oh, this video just broke my heart. I read Ned's progress and I'm SO glad he's doing better! I can't understand how people can treat an animal like that. God bless you!

[lovelessjuanita]

god bless you ned

i love you

all my love juanita

[1treehill06]

This video made me cry, it's so nice to see Ned is being taken good care of.

[kern1952]

Thank God for the sanctuary and all of the dedicated staff. Happy New Year to all of you and to these mangnificent creatures. I look forward to seeing Ned get healthy and happy under your care.

[patriciafrances]

My god he WAS only bones and so tentative, not knowing if he was going to be reprimanded for putting the "wrong foot forward" when he arrived, Look at him now. Well done and we pray for his continuing recovery.

[cindyinnew]

What wonderful things the Sanctuary is doing. I look into the eyes of these magnificent creatures and wonder how mankind can see himself as so superior, when they have such great intellect, emotion...I pray each day that these creatures and all others will somehow stand a chance against the humongous obstacles they face in the wild and in capivity at the hands of gready humans. This is one of my favorite charities and I will continue to support it through and through.

[ELECHICK8]

Merry Christmas, Ned. I love you.

[ELECHICK8]

At 2:21, Ned looks down at Scott and then Ned nods his head. I always like to think that he's saying to himself - yea, it's going to be OK.

I unabashedly love you Ned

[wirramirra26]

Ned, you are such a regal gentleman!! :) God bless you!

[dulgerom1953]

Ned's permanent home will be at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in CA. They are good people also. With a huge donation from Bob Barker, they took in Maggie the Alaskan Elephant. Neds permanent home is being built there right now. Bless all the people at TES and PAWS for helping these beautiful creatures have a little of the freedom they deserve.

[dosido48]

Ned stepping out of the trailer:

One giant step for an elephant, one giant leap for mankind.

See how much better Ned looks after only 2 weeks at the Elephant Sanctuary website--see Ned's Diary & scroll down.

[dosido48]

Ned stepping out of the trailer:

One giant step for an elephant, one giant leap for mankind.

See how much better Ned looks after only 2 weeks at the Elephant Sanctuary website--see Ned's Diary & scroll down.

[tbonesrex]

I can't stop crying, I'm so happy for Ned! The only thing that would make me happier is if every elephant, tiger, lion, horse, bear, dog etc., were permanentely removed from all circuses and sent to freedom. A world without the circus....now that would be a great day!

[Neeter40]

I love when he takes his first step onto sanctuary grounds "freedom forever" He is one big, beautiful boy. I'm so glad TES is giving him the care & love he deserves.

[DReynolds3]

Poor Ned is now Lucky Ned, one of too few elephants to find their way to sanctuary. Ned's starved state is an obvious indictment of the circus industry. Let him be a daily reminder to us all that these sensitive, intelligent elephants suffer for decades in chains and unthinkable deprivation, even if they are not gaunt, like Ned.

Thanks USDA, and keep up the good work ~ at an increasing pace, please!

Donna R.

[LynnElizabeth]

I hope that Ned lives the rest of his life in the lap of luxury as he deserves. I wish him good food - lots of it! - and lots of room to roam with his elephant buddies. It is heartbreaking to see how circus animals are treated. It is absolutely inhumane to have any animal travel with and "perform" in circuses and should be banned immediately. Thank you, TES, for your commitment to these beautiful (and my favorite) animals.

[sparklingcolors]

Poor Ned. He looks so sad. I hope a new home is found soon for him.

[Rise519]

I used walk by this magnificent beast everyday and sometimes I'd eat my lunch and watch Ned try and free himself from his chain fuss around like a giant spoiled kid years ago. Seeing him raise his ears/trunk and charge when he felt pissy was awesome too. I'm glad he's in good hands now.

[loveelephants]

Bless Ned and everyone connected with TES!! I also wish I could make a safe & secure & loving home for all the elephants in the world. They are my very favorite animal!!

[neuronpie]

As much as Ned will be blessed in his new life - may the equal and opposite reaction be on the man responsible for his condition.

[wirramirra26]

This poor elephant is a tonne underweight!! Did it not look painfully obvious how badly he needed help?? Yet he was still giving rides to children and standing on pedestals at the circus in this shockingly thin state!! Ned, you deserve your retirement, enjoy your time at TES and wherever you move on to as your forever home. God Bless, and best wishes from Ireland!

[bluabbeycat]

You truly are a gentle giant Ned..God Bless your heart..You are in the best possibl hands at TES and, with all the people who love you,and love your sweet spirit and soul..you will get better in no time..the food and love will never run out now Ned..Love and hugs from your Pittsburgh, Pa friends, Dolores M. and Blu'Abbey.

[journeyman47]

I just read Ned's bio. Where was the USDA during the years it must have taken to get Ned into such a shockingly thin condition? I am outraged at his appearance, and will write to them demanding justice for Ned and an explanation of why their "oversight" is so pathetic it allows elephants in Ned's condition to continue to be forced to perform? And why did it take videos from an observant visitor to spark the investigation?

Sorry, but I'm furious at the USDA right now. Anyway, good luck, Ned.

[journeyman47]

Poor guy, he looks terrible! That Lance Ramos guy should go to prison for this.

Thank you, Elephant Sanctuary, for helping Ned have a new life as he so richly deserves.

I wish I were a billionaire and could donate enough to get all the elephants who need it help.

Bless you all.

[lexikins08]

You are a beautiful, noble creature. I'm glad you're safe now. Love you Ned.

[jeanwye]

Ned is so beautiful, even if he is terribly under weight. I love you Ned...blessings on you and all at TES

[spoonfuloz]

aww bless

heart warming

[IcePonyGoddess]

Bless his heart! Reiki sent to Ned. Thanks to all who are helping make his life easier, happier and safe! {{{HUGS}}

[Melc918]

Thank God, there are people out there looking out for these gentle giants. Elephants have always held a place in my heart. God Bless Ned, and his caretakers.

[audiodoc]

Ned I hope you have the most wonderful life filled with love and compassion and kindness!

Thanks to all who have helped save this wonderful elephant

[wjjmaj]

Thank you for the good work you do! It is truly God's work. There is such a sadness in Ned's eyes. He will be so happy here.

[littlesnt]

Happy elephants vocalize a lot. What does that tell you? Plus, he's very insecure and is getting adjusted.

[airbear53]

Does anyone know why Ned doesn't make any sounds?

[kimelephant]

Ned Vocalized today, check out the new diary entry!

[shoppamomma]

Thank you for the post! I just checked in and was loved today's entry. Yay Ned! And he went on a little adventure in the wee hours, leaving mysterious footprints...and had a little dialogue with Eleanor the bassett hound. I think he is taking his first baby steps toward a happy life.

[elephantjunkie00]

The truck IS beautiful :)

[tall1992]

The opening song makes the truck look so beautiful.

[lilolme39]

His absolute silence is eerie, too. Poor guy probably got the sound beat out of him his entire life in captivity. How anyone could have seen him, like on the pics on TES of his 'rehearal' with the two circus workers, and NOT be appalled by how gaunt he is, should literally be a crime. I'm very happy for Ned now and if anyone can help him recover from his past trauma, TES can! He needs a really wonderful home afterwards, especially since he will be used to nothing but love and kindness at TES!

[MontrealChic]

I'm just so happy for him yet sad his past was so horrific. He seems really timid in the video and i just know being in this place will heal him! I wish all elephants could be freed from the cruel entertainment business.

[Aline5033]

Love to all at TES.

This boy looks so kind and gentle. Soft eyes. I am confident he will become what a helthy elephant boy should be.

Hope he will live a very happy life from now on. He deserves it. And hope TES will follow his progree once he leaves the Sanctuary, so we can have news from him.

Thanks to USDA for a job well done. You have our support.

Wish I could take him home as a pet :-)

[shoppamomma]

I have just read that Ned's Tuberculosis screen came back NEGATIVE!!! This is great news! I was truly worried, as his hollowed cheeks and protruding frame reminded me of an elephant heroine, Lota, who made it to freedom at TES as the first ever elephant to be confiscated by USDA. She passed on in 2005 and suffered from TB. Go Ned!

[shoppamomma]

I need to correct me: While Lota was a Hawthorne elee with TB, it was dear Delhi (passed on March 08), Granny elee, who was the FIRST-EVER confiscation; also from Hawthorne Corp., where they soaked her feet in straight formaldehyde. Quoting a friend: "I truly believe the callousness of humanity is surpassed by its compassion especially when

people are educated." TES - you are that compassion. Rock on.

[ELECHICK8]

Scott - no doubt the first man who's shown him TRUE love - no bullhooks here - but pure kindness in spirit and deed.

[onekinkstar]

(( ♥ ))

[snboring]

bless his heart.

[gesswhoto]

I could just cry. ): This is the saddest elephant I have ever seen. I agree with the person above, if you saw Ned this way and said nothing, you should be locked up along with the circus owner!

[MYLANNZ]

There is something very special about Ned. Such a soulful spirit. His beautiful face and his sweet eyes speak volumes about his potential. One can't help but fall in love with this sweetheart of a boy. I wish I knew who saved him at the USDA, I want to thank them for renewing my confidence in the system! Now, let's get them to initiate a strict quarantine for the deadly herpes epidemic that is taking our little baby angels. Ned, Mac, Malti, Hansa, you are all so very loved.

[ELECHICK8]

I totally agree - there's just that "something" about him and you're right about his eyes. I'm in love with him - thankfully he's safe now.

[evelynjoyce]

Awesome awesome awesome!!! Everytime I see a new arrival I think this is what arriving in heaven must be like.

[ELECHICK8]

Emaciated : to waste away physically.

Yep, his former "trainer" should be very very proud of Neds condition - Neds looking great! 2 on a scale of 1-10, now that's an impressive number.

Ned, don't worry, you're not going back.

I love you Ned.

[MYLANNZ]

Look at Ned's eyes, he is watching everything. He seems smart and soulful. If his previous owners had really cared, Ned would have gotten better veterinary care. Proof: Ned is a bag of bones! Why? Does he have tb? a digestive disorder? stress? A bull elephant at 21 should be assertive, strong, confident - not skinny, not fearful. Someone has broken his spirit, his body. The people at TES know what they are doing. If Ned chooses to eat from a human hand, he will have the choice to do so.

[lnshr10]

PETA has sent a letter to the US Dept of Agriculture to ask that the owner be prosectued and sent to prison for a long time.this is not the first time..he has abused several other animals who also died.send letters to the US dept of Agriculture to show support to make this happen

[Ulysses61]

The prior owner needs to be prosecuted for his DESPICABLE treatment of this beautiful boy!

[oldshirley]

I wept for Ned when I saw that magnificent animal reduced to a living skeleton. Thank God for the Sanctuary who have rescued so many like Ned. He's safe now. I will never understand the cruelty shown to animals by so-called "human" beings.