PAWS Performing Animal Welfare
Society
December 2018
After years of horrific abuse as a 'circus elephant,' when Nicholas first arrived at PAWS he was angry and distrustful of humans. This enormous animal would cringe if you as much as lifted your arm too quickly, expecting to be hit.
Asian elephant Nicholas marked his 25th birthday on December 15. In his
11 years at PAWS we have seen such amazing and beautiful changes in this
elephant – underscoring the rehabilitative power of true sanctuaries.
Nicholas had the misfortune of being born into the circus. He was separated
from his mother before he was two years old – a time when calves are still
entirely dependent on their mothers – and forced to perform unnatural tricks
such as riding a tricycle and walking on a balance beam. But this wouldn’t
last long. By the time Nicholas was five years old, he would have begun to
realize his own strength and challenge his handlers. In circuses this type
of natural rebellion is met harshly. Punishment is meted out with the cruel
bullhook, a menacing weapon used to control elephants through fear and pain.
Nicholas was labeled as dangerous and unmanageable and essentially
“warehoused.” Bull elephants in circuses are often doomed to spend their
lives on chains and intensively confined. Fortunately, the company that
owned him was involved in a consent agreement with the federal government,
which allowed Nicholas and female Asian elephant Gypsy to be transferred to
PAWS. Emmy Award-winning game show host Bob Barker provided the generous
financial assistance that made the move possible.
When Nicholas first arrived at PAWS he was angry and distrustful of humans.
This enormous animal would cringe if you as much as lifted your arm too
quickly, expecting to be hit. PAWS’ staff, including Sanctuary Manager Brian
Busta, patiently worked with Nicholas to gain his trust. Today, Brian and
Nicholas enjoy a special relationship. The once “dangerous and unmanageable”
elephant now voluntarily cooperates during training sessions and necessary
husbandry and veterinary care. His favorite treat after training is wheat
bran, which he carefully gathers up in his trunk, while making a contended
“purring” sound.
Nicholas has already come a long way in his young life. PAWS is proud to provide this circus survivor with a far more natural life, including a grassy habitat set among the rolling hills of the ARK 2000 sanctuary. Nicholas is a special elephant who is much valued, loved and respected, and has stolen all of our hearts. Happy birthday, Nicholas!
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