Celebrating Tarra
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM The Elephant Sanctuary
November 2021

The first elephant to retire to The Elephant Sanctuary in 1995, Tarra holds a very special place in all our hearts. After ten years of litigation, the Tennessee court system made the decision that legal custody and possession of Tarra lies with Carol Buckley. We received notification that Ms. Buckley planned to transfer Tarra to a new facility in Georgia. Tarra left The Sanctuary on Thursday, November 18, as ordered.

Elephant Tarra

Asian elephant Tarra has resided at The Elephant Sanctuary since the very beginning, over 26 years. Tarra was our founding resident, and like so many other captive elephants, her life began in the wild, accompanied by her mother and other members of her herd. While still a calf, Tarra was captured and thrust into a life of captivity. She spent the next 20 years traveling, performing, and on exhibit. The first elephant to retire to The Elephant Sanctuary in 1995, Tarra holds a very special place in all our hearts.

The Sanctuary must now announce that Tarra's chapter at The Sanctuary has come to a close. After ten years of litigation, the Tennessee court system made the decision that legal custody and possession of Tarra lies with Carol Buckley (The Supreme Court of Tennessee Denies The Sanctuary’s Appeal for a Retrial in Custody Trial of Asian Elephant, Tarra). We received notification that Ms. Buckley planned to transfer Tarra to a new facility in Georgia. This week, the court issued a final order of custody, granted Ms. Buckley’s motion for immediate possession, and instructed The Sanctuary to “transfer possession of Tarra to Ms. Buckley on November 18, 2021." Tarra left The Sanctuary on Thursday as ordered.

We are deeply disappointed in this decision and had sincerely hoped that Tarra would be allowed to remain in Tennessee as a beloved member of our herd forever. We are grateful for the lasting impact she made at The Sanctuary and will forever honor her legacy. We will remember Tarra as paving the way for new elephants arriving at The Sanctuary, along with the daily delights and surprises she gave her Care Staff, not to mention the many, many supporters who read about her journey, witnessed her explorations live on The Sanctuary's EleCams, and who loved her alongside us.

As the Husbandry Team planned for Tarra’s transition to a new home, everyone’s main focus was on her safety and comfort during transport. Care Staff began preparing Tarra by allowing her to get acquainted with The Sanctuary’s trailer, since the actual transport trailer was not available. Inquisitive as always, she would step onto the ramp and into the trailer with all four feet. She received positive reinforcement, including some of the juiciest produce — watermelon, apples, and pears — as part of the process of introducing a new situation or object to elephants at The Sanctuary.

Her Caregivers felt it important for Tarra to have the opportunity to continue exploring and interacting with her companions, and she spent the last couple of weeks at The Sanctuary doing just that. She took advantage of one bright fall day to venture through Asia Habitat, walking the entire span of the habitat in just one day and spending the warmer night outside, sleeping under the stars.

As Staff struggled with the news of an immediate transfer, they made sure Tarra had her favorite produce. They tossed bananas, blueberries, and oranges directly into her mouth just the way she likes, and offered plenty of pumpkin, a food she has much enjoyed this fall.
Topping off the week’s many special treats, Sarah F., Asia Barn Lead, baked Tarra a vegan cake topped with strawberries. Tarra ate each of the strawberries first before picking up the rest of the cake.

The transport trailer arrived early Thursday morning. After getting the trailer in place and making sure it was secure, Tarra loaded onto the trailer and began her new journey and a new chapter. We understand Tarra arrived safely at the Georgia facility hours later.

“The Sanctuary is honored to have provided care for Tarra for 26 years, and we express gratitude for all the things she has taught us. She will be truly missed here, but will always be a part of our family and our herd,” said Janice Zeitlin, CEO.


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