PAWS Performing Animal Welfare
Society
April 2017
Nicholas and Gypsy were the last elephants to leave the notorious Hawthorn Corporation, which formerly trained and leased elephants for circuses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Hawthorn negotiated a consent agreement that permitted the transfer of the two elephants to PAWS.
This is a very special anniversary indeed. It was 10 years ago this month
that Asian elephants Nicholas and Gypsy arrived at PAWS. Theirs is a special
story.
Nicholas and Gypsy were the last elephants to leave the notorious Hawthorn
Corporation, which formerly trained and leased elephants for circuses. The
U.S. Department of Agriculture and Hawthorn negotiated a consent agreement
that permitted the transfer of the two elephants to PAWS.
Nicholas at PAWS
Nicholas, who was born at Hawthorn, was separated from his mother before he was two years old - a time when calves are still nursing and entirely dependent on their mothers. He was trained with a bullhook and forced to ride a tricycle and perform in the circus. But by the time he was five years old Nicholas had become too difficult to manage. When he could no longer be used in the circus he was "warehoused" instead of being sent out on the road.
Gypsy in the Asian Elephant Habitat at PAWS
Gypsy, an older, unrelated female elephant had been made to perform in the
circus for years. At one point she was housed with the young Nicholas as a
surrogate mother; the two shared a tiny barn stall until they were
transferred to PAWS' Galt facility in 2007 and later to the ARK 2000
sanctuary.
The two elephants were closely bonded and their devotion to one another was
incredibly touching. They shared food, rumbled, chirped and remained close
to each other at all times. But as Nicholas matured, things naturally
changed and the two elephants were given separate, spacious living areas.
Gypsy was reunited with another Asian elephant, Wanda, who she had known 20
years earlier in the circus. The two old friends immediately bonded and
remained inseparable until Wanda's death in 2015.
Nicholas and Gypsy continue to enjoy the peace and quiet of ARK 2000, where
they navigate expansive habitats and are currently forging on the season's
lush spring grasses.
Go to our website and please make a donation in honor of Nicholas and Gypsy's 10-year anniversary
at PAWS. Or you can adopt one (or both!) for a year. Your generous gift
helps support these very special elephants and all the wild animals at PAWS
who have been rescued or retired from circuses, zoos and the exotic "pet"
trade.
Return to Animal Stories