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ELEPHANT FACTS

For more information, visit MyakkaElephantRanch.org.

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■ In Asia, elephant numbers have declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, with 40,000 to 50,000 remaining. The drop is largely attributed to human-elephant conflict. For example, an elephant herd may trample farmlands, which leads subsistence farmers to poison the animals to protect their crops, and erect electric fences around their property that can kill the elephants.

Lou says that the ranch staff does not have time to mount a fundraising campaign, but still brought in just over $50,000 in donations last year. That money goes to capital projects (like the watering hole), as well as expanding and improving the habitats.

The ranch sets aside 10% of its encounters to offer for free to education and nonprofit groups. They include The Haven in Sarasota, Loveland Center in Venice — both of which serve people with developmental disabilities — Wheelchairs 4 Kids and Operation Warrior Resolution, which provides holistic mental health care for veterans and their families.

Braren, who spearheads the organization’s outreach program, tells the story of a veteran suffering from PTSD who attended the ranch’s elephant yoga therapy class, where attendees do their downward dogs with elephants grazing in the background. “He never thought being around an elephant could change his life,” she says of the veteran. “He said

he never would have sought help, but having the experience connected him with Operation Warrior Resolution, and that in turn saved his life.”

Braren also founded and runs the ranch’s Conservation Pen Pal Program and Art Exchange Program, where American and African children exchange letters and artwork about their love of elephants.

The Barredas have expansion dreams for their elephant haven. Lou hopes to bring in younger ones, including males, for breeding. He envisions as many as 30 elephants roaming 30 acres or more. That’s ambitious, but regardless of when or if all that transpires, he and his family members will be caring for their beloved behemoths over the long haul.

“Elephants are such a lifelong commitment,” Braren says. “It’s not even an animal, really. It’s pretty much a member of your family.”

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2023-05-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

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