The Elephant Sanctuary | Ned's Arrival

[@lindamorris6646]

I saw Ned getting off the truck and was immediately sickened by how skinny he was. People can be just so so cruel to allow this. He had a few months with you, and although that isn't much time, he knew love, compassion and acceptance. xx Rest well Ned and be at peace up at Rainbow Bridge.

[@gesswhoto]

I could just cry. ): This is the saddest elephant I have ever seen. I agree with the person above, if you saw Ned this way and said nothing, you should be locked up along with the circus owner!

[@shalomcharlotte]

That was so well stated. Sadly Ned died today. He absolutely did live every last day like a king in his sanctuary with all those girls! Alot of people loved Ned and prayed for him.

[@JasamTragicLove]

At first when looking at the video all I could think was how tragic that this beautiful creature spent most of his life in such an unnatural and abusive environment.....and then I thought how wonderful that he got to experience the kindness of humans before he died.......even if it was just for a little while he got to experience a better life.

[@Foxylady-gm2qq]

I cried my eyes out for this baby. OMG I wish I could have hugged him and told him he was loved.

[@CelticLady44]

I will never, EVER support another circus with performing animals ever again! The utter cruelty in forcing these creatures to perform for our amusement has never been brought home more forcefully than seeing them in TES. This has changed me too.

[@kellinepickett4979]

This particular clip was disheartening. I see he's arrived at sanctuary, but seeing him go from the truck to the concrete and bars was as hard to see as knowing where these elephants come from. I'm glad to know he didn't remain inside, but still, what I wouldn't have given to see you skip the concrete and bars and go straight to filming his release into the open. Watching this was like watching an elephant still in captivity. It made me sad even though he was actually arriving for his freedom. Sorry, that's just how I viewed this clip. On a more positive note, the work the sanctuary does is something worth celebrating and I pray that you're able to access the funds you need to continue in your work. God bless each and every one of you and your precious charges!!

[@Kinsella_Finn]

Seeing how thin he was broke my heart. And I doubt the person who did this to him was held responsible.

[@xeniakennedy]

avoid circuses, they abuse animals like poor Ned who only lived 1/3 of his life due to stress, ulcers and not being in a good environment

[@HotRedStilettos]

Rest in peace beautiful. I am glad you found love and true companionship in your final months. Sanctuary founders and staff, you are amazing people and I wish there were more like you out there. Thank you for giving these elephants a life.

[@patriciaensey8601]

Ned is very regal and handsome still . HE IS BEAUTIFUL . So glad he got rescued and got to see and feel love and enjoyment of living .

[@elephantsanctuarytn]

Ned could see and vocalize with the other Girls, but he had his own habitat. Adult male elephants don't live in the matriarchal herds in the wild. We don't accept male elephants for this reason. Ned was a special exception per the request of the USDA. Ned was also only supposed to be at Sanctuary for a short time to recuperate before moving to a different sanctuary, so there wasn't a long term plan for his socialization with the other elephants here.

[@Sparklytank]

What a sweetheart. I'm so glad he got to enjoy a little freedom in his life! Elephants are such amazing creatures.

[@elephantsanctuarytn]

@DAOzz83 Yes, male elephants are generally much larger than females. We wish we could have known Ned in a much healthier state--he was a beautiful soul.

[@oldshirley]

I wept for Ned when I saw that magnificent animal reduced to a living skeleton. Thank God for the Sanctuary who have rescued so many like Ned. He's safe now. I will never understand the cruelty shown to animals by so-called "human" beings.

[@equarg]

RIP Ned. Your life was HELL. But I hope your final months on earth brought you some happiness, showing not all humans are wicked. You are now forever free across that rainbow bridge.

[@MegaSaddened]

HUMANS ARE THE WORST, HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO AN ANIMAL.

[@LynnElizabeth]

I'm sick to hear of Ned's death. The abuse he suffered at the hands of his "trainer," Lance Kollman (Ramos?) of Florida, is so tragic. The USDA knew of his condition almost 1 year before confiscating Ned, who continued to deteriorate under this sick man's care. RIP, Ned, and all of the animals who died due to abuse at the hands of people who say they are "trainers" who love the animals they are abusing.

[@LynnElizabeth]

I hope that Ned lives the rest of his life in the lap of luxury as he deserves. I wish him good food - lots of it! - and lots of room to roam with his elephant buddies. It is heartbreaking to see how circus animals are treated. It is absolutely inhumane to have any animal travel with and "perform" in circuses and should be banned immediately. Thank you, TES, for your commitment to these beautiful (and my favorite) animals.

[@stlouisluv]

Such a damn shame he only live 22 years, considering elephants can live up to 80. I hope his ex trainer was fined and prosecuted. Poor Ned.

[@79Bobola]

Good to know there are compassionate people like you in the world :) I can't believe how poorly elephants are treated in circuses and some zoos, it's disgusting. Hope in my lifetime, circuses that use animals will be banned worldwide. The suffering needs to stop.

[@Wifeno2]

My heart is hurting watching this today 22/03/2014, But I would like to thank ALL OF YOU WHO HELP THESE ELEPHANTS GET SOME PRIDE BACK,! R.I.P. Ned, and other who've sadly passed on R.I.P. From the UK.

[@tochaseadream]

You do such a wonderful thing...people should be ashamed of how they treat animals especially these beautiful gentle giants!! Thank you for loving Ned even though it was a short time I am so happy he was able to know love, kindness and most of all freedom

[@Melc918]

Thank God, there are people out there looking out for these gentle giants. Elephants have always held a place in my heart. God Bless Ned, and his caretakers.

[@Keith5Cats2]

@sweetpea3339 When I was about 4 years old I got the chance to see a circus that came to town. I was given a once in a life time opportunity to ride on and elephants back with many other kids. I recall with clarity climbing up the wooden ladder to get up on his back. I remember the terrible terrible condition this elephant was in. He was so old and neglected. His skin was raw and dry. And I refused to be apart of this abuse. I couldn't do it. I got down and we left the circus.I'll never go again

[@tbonesrex]

I can't stop crying, I'm so happy for Ned! The only thing that would make me happier is if every elephant, tiger, lion, horse, bear, dog etc., were permanentely removed from all circuses and sent to freedom. A world without the circus....now that would be a great day!

[@babyfacejudy]

Rest in peace Ned. At least you had a chance to enjoy life, albeit for short time, before you went to Ele-heaven. God bless Carol and Scott for their work then, and their work now on behalf of elephants. God also bless the Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee for their continued support of these beautiful creatures.

[@Marty933]

Ned's sad story is all too common. But it was good that in his final days he was in a place where he was loved and cherished. He finally got to feel soft earth and grass beneath his feet with no chains restricting him and enjoy the warm sun on his back. I'm sure he felt the love around him, all the food he wanted, and the freedom to do as he pleased. I can't help but think he knew his time was short and picked this to be his final home. Namaste, Ned, you surely can now rest in the peace that had been denied you for most of your short life.

[@ELECHICK8]

Scott - no doubt the first man who's shown him TRUE love - no bullhooks here - but pure kindness in spirit and deed.

[@Saartje05]

One of the reason I HATE the circus is the way many of them treat their animals. They just see them as moneymakers and that´s it. I´m glad there´s a law in the make that forbids using animals like this in the circus. We started, now the rest of the world....

[@angelheartlove]

SEE YOU IN HEAVEN NED! LOVE YOU!

[@elephantsanctuarytn]

We place treats inside. It is a little enrichment toy for the elephants.

[@Joema2]

Dear Ned, we had such high hopes for you. You knew peace and love at the end. RIP, free at last.

[@vi_terminator]

Ned though weak, looks really majestic!!!

[@BarbDonnelly]

As soon as his face peered out of the trailer, it brought me to tears. And the fact that he only survived only 6 months after your rescue. Heartbreaking shit! Florida! What the hell is going on in that state! Someone needs to lock them a up! I hope someone is keeping and eye out for other animals! This is so sad! T

[@worldwildlifeday03march92]

theanimalspost.com/2015/02/11/palm-beach-florida-bans-wild-animal-shows/

[@Keith5Cats2]

Animals and humans alike are not disposable. We gotta change our thinking and acting.

[@neuronpie]

As much as Ned will be blessed in his new life - may the equal and opposite reaction be on the man responsible for his condition.

[@AudreyMealiff]

This poor elephant is a tonne underweight!! Did it not look painfully obvious how badly he needed help?? Yet he was still giving rides to children and standing on pedestals at the circus in this shockingly thin state!! Ned, you deserve your retirement, enjoy your time at TES and wherever you move on to as your forever home. God Bless, and best wishes from Ireland!

[@EllieLove21]

Very difficult for me to watch as I bawl my eyes out every time I think of "my" sweet Ned. The miserable existence he was forced to endure day after day before being rescued by TES, is a "life" no living being deserves. I just hope that, before Ned passed, he knew he was indeed loved. Extremely emotional & heartbreaking. Never will I be able to comprehend how & why human beings can be so cruel. You deserved a better life, Ned. For all of your suffering, I am sorry. Rest peacefully, dear one.

[@saranoid]

poor darling. he was magnificent. I swear sometimes I think bacteria have more of a right to live on this planet than humans do. NO OTHER animal on earth KNOWINGLY torments other creatures for amusement therefore when humans do so, we forfeit our humanity, and become the lowest creatures on the food chain as a result we are supposed to be stewards of the earth Want to forfeit your humanity? Then I think you'd better be ready to forfeit all your human rights along with it.

[@elephantsanctuarytn]

Ned was born in 1987 and came to The Sanctuary in 2008. He was very ill upon arrival, and he passed away a few months later at the age of 21 in May 0f 2009.

[@journeyman47]

Poor guy, he looks terrible! That Lance Ramos guy should go to prison for this. Thank you, Elephant Sanctuary, for helping Ned have a new life as he so richly deserves. I wish I were a billionaire and could donate enough to get all the elephants who need it help. Bless you all.

[@weepingturtle]

Oh, he is missing so much of his muscle mass...I imagine the trip to safety must have been very hard on him. I know he felt a huge wave of relief and love. Damn the man responsible! Damn him...

[@peoplehavetherights]

Remember him and the care he was finally given by people too. Humans can do either bad or good, and this place is dedicated to the latter. Be glad in that at least.

[@audiodoc8304]

Ned I hope you have the most wonderful life filled with love and compassion and kindness! Thanks to all who have helped save this wonderful elephant

[@ELECHICK8]

At 2:21, Ned looks down at Scott and then Ned nods his head. I always like to think that he's saying to himself - yea, it's going to be OK. I unabashedly love you Ned

[@AlexisPreisser]

You are a beautiful, noble creature. I'm glad you're safe now. Love you Ned.

[@BgMsDangerus]

How can anyone treat such a gentle, loving, caring elephant so badly. I'm so glad she came to the Sanctuary and knew real love and kindness in her last months of life.

[@alisonlee3314]

Poor gentle giant....x

[@sylonis55]

Beautiful boy...what did you ever do to deserve the life you were forced into? Why do humans like the man who owned you have to exist...instead of you? You were lucky to have died in the arms of people who truly cared about you, and tried the best they could to save you. But...perhaps you were too tired. Rest in Peace beautiful boy and know that you were loved by people who never had the chance to know you...

[@petranilla14]

I know it's 2014 and he is at peach in heaven. but OMG!! how does an elephant get skinny?? HOW!! even when there is drought in Africa they don't look like that!! I hope the previous owner was prosecuted.

[@lynnespinoza4736]

@Kelline Pickett You can't just cold-turkey a drastic change like that, but you must gradually introduce it. Some rescued circus tigers- still- after 10 years of being free at the sanctuaries get anxiety from being in an enclosure that's too big because they're used to the small confinement of their circus days, so the sanctuary must adapt and make their enclosures smaller. I do agree, that perhaps they should've let a door open that he could voluntarily walk through to get to the grass but they took the slow comfortable route to bond with him, let him calm down and let go of his anxiety before enjoying the outdoors

[@evelynjoyce]

Awesome awesome awesome!!! Everytime I see a new arrival I think this is what arriving in heaven must be like.

[@ELECHICK8]

I totally agree - there's just that "something" about him and you're right about his eyes. I'm in love with him - thankfully he's safe now.

[@DReynolds3]

Poor Ned is now Lucky Ned, one of too few elephants to find their way to sanctuary. Ned's starved state is an obvious indictment of the circus industry. Let him be a daily reminder to us all that these sensitive, intelligent elephants suffer for decades in chains and unthinkable deprivation, even if they are not gaunt, like Ned. Thanks USDA, and keep up the good work ~ at an increasing pace, please! Donna R.

[@jeanwye]

Ned is so beautiful, even if he is terribly under weight. I love you Ned...blessings on you and all at TES

[@CDLver]

The USDA failed to act promptly in their confiscation of Ned from his human tormenter! Thank you, Elephant Sanctuary, for giving Ned back his dignity in the last months of his life.

[@AudreyMealiff]

Ned, you are such a regal gentleman!! :) God bless you!

[@cindyinnew]

What wonderful things the Sanctuary is doing. I look into the eyes of these magnificent creatures and wonder how mankind can see himself as so superior, when they have such great intellect, emotion...I pray each day that these creatures and all others will somehow stand a chance against the humongous obstacles they face in the wild and in capivity at the hands of gready humans. This is one of my favorite charities and I will continue to support it through and through.

[@gloriouse4458]

Rest in Peace 🌹🐾💖🌷💞💝🌈🐶😻

[@hopepren]

Oh, this video just broke my heart. I read Ned's progress and I'm SO glad he's doing better! I can't understand how people can treat an animal like that. God bless you!

[@saranoid]

poor darling. He was lovely.

[@ELECHICK8]

Merry Christmas, Ned. I love you.

[@manuelaredding1936]

he looks so sad...

[@remnanteighty]

Love U guys, keep it up

[@sweetpea3339]

There is a place in hell for people like Lance Ramos. I'm so glad the last 6 months of Ned's life were spent at the Sanctuary where he was able to experienced love and compassion for probably the only time in his long 21 years of life. No more beatings....no more hooks......no more whips......no more work! Sleep well now Sweet Ned on your beautiful cloud in heaven.

[@ELECHICK8]

Emaciated : to waste away physically. Yep, his former "trainer" should be very very proud of Neds condition - Neds looking great! 2 on a scale of 1-10, now that's an impressive number. Ned, don't worry, you're not going back. I love you Ned.

[@dulgerom1953]

Ned's permanent home will be at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in CA. They are good people also. With a huge donation from Bob Barker, they took in Maggie the Alaskan Elephant. Neds permanent home is being built there right now. Bless all the people at TES and PAWS for helping these beautiful creatures have a little of the freedom they deserve.

[@journeyman47]

I just read Ned's bio. Where was the USDA during the years it must have taken to get Ned into such a shockingly thin condition? I am outraged at his appearance, and will write to them demanding justice for Ned and an explanation of why their "oversight" is so pathetic it allows elephants in Ned's condition to continue to be forced to perform? And why did it take videos from an observant visitor to spark the investigation? Sorry, but I'm furious at the USDA right now. Anyway, good luck, Ned.

[@xxlaciebrookexx]

omg i cried...this is so sad...but in the end...so happy. I can't believe how thin he is. He is so huge...I don't see how anyone could be so cruel to such an amazing animal...Their so huge but so graceful at the same time. It almost reminds me of a holocost victom getting freed from a concentration camp. May he live the rest of his days in peace and happiness!

[@elephantjunkie00]

The truck IS beautiful :)

[@Discordia5]

I didn't know an elephant could be so thin... It felt so good to watch him eat, although I'm sure it was even better for him. I look forward to watching Ned's story continue (I feel bad that he cannot live at the Sanctuary, because it's probably the happiest place he's ever known, but I guess I understand.)

[@CaitlinBrooksMusic]

Gosh, that is very tragic! Ned died on my 23rd birthday! Shame on Lance Ramos!

[@eiguoc]

This is not how an elepjant should look. You could tell he was starving, His cheecks looked sunkin in. I watch Djuma & Pete's Pond live streaming cams & they are beautiful creatures. I hope this one survives to live a long life.

[@AudreyMealiff]

@IvyLULZ Elephants can be starved and not cared for just like any other animal. Poor Ned, this video is heartbreaking. He is so thin stepping down from the trailer, and so beautiful! RIP beautiful Ned!

[@spoonfuloz]

aww bless heart warming

[@snboring]

bless his heart.

[@shalomcharlotte]

Rest in Peace sweet Ned. I love you.

[@megaelectrolyte]

If you google this guy Lance Ramos aka Lancelot Kollmann the tiger trainer he was arrested in 2009 for domestic violence

[@trudydysert5668]

Unspeakable so sad ..

[@diane189444]

His health was not good the abuse took a tool just like it does us...it upsets our insides. You and all the people who worked saving him to a wonderful job you were angels that gave him life until it was time for him to go...the sadness in his eyes in the beginning of the video breaks your heart

[@boyblue922]

Rest in Peace Ned- xoxoxoxo

[@debbie7526]

Goodbye Ned 😢🐘💖

[@dancersiss]

rest in peace sweety

[@heyjude4842]

Ned says I like this place

[@josephcrazybeatmania1344]

who ever done that to ned. I hope to god they get the same only double the sick warped scum :@

[@jakz104]

r.i.p Ned X

[@robynvanhorn]

awe poor ned : (

[@OriginalPinkbird]

Is the green tube/bucket-like object sort of like a Kong (dog toy) for elephants with a treat inside or did Ned just like the sensation of squishing it?

[@AdstarAPAD]

Did Ned gain much weight during his time there?

[@littlesnt]

Happy elephants vocalize a lot. What does that tell you? Plus, he's very insecure and is getting adjusted.

[@DAOzz83]

I hope this won't bring up bad memories... So, I was, of course, apalled, and flat-out shocked to see an ELEPHANT that looked as though it would blow away in a stiff breeze. But my analytical nature got the better of me, and I couldn't help but notice that while Ned looked like a skeleton, he looked like very LARGE skeleton. Are asian elephant males usually this tall?

[@donna1948ful]

Maybe we could take our grief for Ned and help Tina, Queenie and Jewel...write the usda your senators and congressmen.they are so sad and need to be confiscated...action we can do it

[@kimelephant]

Ned Vocalized today, check out the new diary entry!

[@Alingmaliit2017]

I heard that Ned had a stomach ulcer. R.I.P Ned

[@LittoMoon]

omg he is like skin and bones.. :(

[@xeniakennedy]

@IvyLULZ stress and ulcers killed him

[@Jessalyn7ate9]

Heartbreaking, I really don't know what else to say. I know what I would do to the old owner though!!! Selfish profiteer !

[@rebeksando9166]

hope he got fed up he looks terrible poor ned

[@EllieLove21]

Very difficult for me to watch as I bawl my eyes out every time I think of "my" sweet Ned. The miserable existence he was forced to endure day after day before being rescued by TES, is a "life" no living being deserves. I just hope that, before Ned passed, he knew he was indeed loved. Extremely emotional & heartbreaking. Never will I be able to comprehend how & why human beings can be so cruel. You deserved a better life, Ned. For all of your suffering, I am sorry. Rest peacefully, dear one.