Ronnie & Debbie Arrive

Best friends Ronnie and Debbie traveled together in the Sanctuary's 'Caravan To Freedom' -- the largest circus elephant rescue in history. These 8 former Hawthorn circus elephants who found sanctuary in Tennessee and are now lovingly referred to as our "Divas." You can follow their progress at http://www.elephants.com (more) (less)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• ronnie
• debbie
• hawthorn
• divas
• elephants
• sanctuary
• pachyderm
• endangered
• hohenwald
• tennessee

[veggiewarriors]

Why do some captive elephants (especially circus elephants) have dark rings around their eyes?

[elephantsanctuarytn]

@veggiewarriors Carson & Barnes claims they apply vaseline around their elephants' eyes often because their skin is very sensitive there and it helps "protect them." We assume Hawthorn Corp. did the same to their elephants, which resulted in a dark, thick residue build up around the eyes of several of their elephants, visible in our videos and photos when they first arrived at the Sanctuary. After a few days of regular baths, the dark circles eventually disappeared.

[Mikeumps]

WHY ????? Are we all hootin and hollerin about Debbies very slow and shakey exit from the transporter

[elephantsanctuarytn]

@Mikeumps Debbie took several hours to work up enough courage to step off the transport trailer. The cheers you hear are Caregivers praising her when she finally did it.

[mandytrue]

Oh how wonderful this place is for these animals that have seen nothing but heartache in the past can finally live their lives in peace.

[MYLANNZ]

This fills my heart with such happiness. The love and joy they show is unbelievable. I never knew the emotions of ellies until I discovered TES. My daughter and I visit your website and we end up with tears filling our eyes when we read their stories. So Thank you Carol and Scott that you had the courage to live your dream! Debbie and Ronnie have a special love just like Shirley and Jennie had and maybe some day many more ellies will be able to live at TES.

[tcwormsbaker]

listing to "in the arms of an angel" makes me weep up <3

[Neeter40]

I bet Debbie now wonders why she took so long to unload :) She seems so happy now. So free to roam.

[wirramirra26]

Wow, these girls have come on SO much! Lok at them interacting, exploring and just chilling out in general. It's hard to believe that they are the same elephants who stood chained in the Hawthorne barn for years! Imagine how changed their life is now that they have freedom and a life free of abuse! God bless Carol, Scott and all at TES!!

[lilolme39]

Wonderful! Bunnygal, they have ponds and a lake to swim in, in the summer, and a heated barn in which they can come and go as they please in chilly weather.