TOKA | Climbing Hills & Browsing In Trees

Toka, a female African elephant, lives at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's ARK 2000 captive wildlife sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif. Toka, formerly of Toronto, is one of three Canadian elephants relocated to the PAWS sanctuary in October of 2013. Their trip from Canada to California was paid for by Emmy Award-winning television host Bob Barker.
The three elephants are becoming more familiar with their new home every day, climbing the hills,wallowing in mud holes, eating tree branches and getting to know PAWS other African elephants on what we call "elephant time."
Visit our website to read about the other elephants and animals who call our sanctuary home. Find out how you can become involved with PAWS by adopting an animal (symbolic, of course), becoming a PAWS Partner, volunteering, or visiting our sanctuary during one of our open houses or special events.

[@mortalclown3812]

Thank whoever filmed this for us to behold. Toka is beautiful.

[@gturino09]

Utterly delicious. Thank you for the post, thank you P.A.W.S., thank you Bob Barker, thank you caring citizens of Toronto. Life is good for Toka!

[@Lojohender]

Just beautiful to watch. I am so happy for our 3 girls! Thank you for P.A.W.S.

[@gabe-po9yi]

You go, you gorgeous girl! Bless Bob Barker and the PAWS team.

[@BLUESBRIGADEBLUESBRIGADE]

I love this video of Toka, what I notice most is how her walk and strut has totally changed, Now she walks wiht such purpose, and confidence and with out any stress or worrys, or concern for her safety, or her own space, She looks so at PEACE, and at ease, She is very cautious as she chooses where to walk and explore. Toka EXPLORES her open space, thank you PAWS, this is phenomenal, and so very extraordinary for a elephant who only knew a life at a zoo, I am in awe,, I can never forget how anyone who fought to PREVENT this elephant from having this life.. Im so so very pleased TOKA is FREE at last at PAWS sanctuary,

[@Bella_Mar]

She's just relishing every mouthful. So sweet. Very happy for them. All elephants - all animals - should be allowed this peaceful existence.

[@RoulinBrooks]

With the blue skies and terrain I'd almost think that she was in Africa. Here in Toronto it's yet another bitterly cold, gray and miserable winter day. More snow on the way. But look at Toka--out in all that space, wandering the hills and discovering what it's like to be a proper elephant. After all the in-fighting and dirty tricks in Toronto, I never thought I'd see the day. What could be more wonderful?

[@joelsimms4636]

These are such intelligent and noble beast. I saw a National Geographic documentary where a group of elephants on migration stopped at a place where the matriarch group had died a few years earlier. The whole group one by one gently nuzzled the ground with their trunks in remembrance. Truly amazing animal. God bless you and your work.

[@AnimalLeftist]

It's like she's treasuring/revelling in every new and fascinating step. This real earth! So happy for her. Thank you so much!

[@iceblazes]

Seeing this brought tears to my eyes - 44 years before getting to touch a tree! And that's what elephant DO - African elephants are grazers/browsers - they eat those small branches and leaves, and can even peel bark off bid branches. 44 years of plain hay - now look at her go!

[@maryleehumphrey1608]

This video almost made me cry. Look at how Toka can just be an elephant!!!!!!!

[@judywilliams981]

What a beautiful and peaceful video! Thank you PAWS for giving these magnificent elephants the habitat they deserve!

[@intimacywithjesus]

It's snowing here in Toronto (again). I'm so happy to see that these precious elephants are in a much better environment. I'm praying for rain in California.

[@carolynminter7839]

The peace in her eyes gives me so much joy. Thank you Paws for all you do!*

[@MusicAnimalia]

You guys got them out at the right time! The winter in Toronto this year has been terrible! I'm happy to say I'm jealous of these elephants: That blue sky and those hills look incredible. Great to see them enjoying it! Nice work, Paws Team.

[@johnhiram1207]

Great to see such a happy Toka. Free at last.

[@jenniferann6956]

Total beauty!!! 😘🐘😍❤️🐘💖🌸🌈

[@dorje07]

Thanks . So happy to se her so Zen.

[@jenniferann6956]

Absolute beauties!!! 😘🐘😍❤️🐘💖🌸🌈

[@s.g.8010]

Tonka knows she's loved, cared for and safe. She is so happy and can look forward to peace and happiness...... and count on it.

[@dianeellis1087]

Beautiful, beautiful, Beautiful!!!

[@Anta76]

Just incredible to see! From zoo life to this!

[@otisserie.chicken]

shes so beautiful!!!!

[@shylocie595]

So beautiful!!!

[@ElfrosineAurelia11]

What an absolute delight to watch, seeing Toka so happy and able to explore this amazing habitat. I truly wish with all my heart Mila was at PAWS. Bless you all at PAWS and Bob Parker for giving these elephants a wonderful life..

[@jackitribe1440]

My heart is so happy, my face is leaking....

[@PAWSWEB]

African elephant Toka turns 50! Story in PAWS' February 2020 newsletter: conta.cc/38XdJzX

[@TheSUPERHAPPY1]

Amazing 🐘 :)

[@dianelewis5885]

Beautiful

[@johnperrigo6474]

Further proof that there is a God. Amazing creatures.

[@Jesus.loves.you.123]

When the elephants get older, they may not be able to climb up and down the hill. The sanctuary should consider to run a fund raising to build a tunnel in the shortest distance between the 2 sides of the hill to help the aging elephants to get to the other side of the hill where river is without risking a fall when climbing the hill.

[@mpwall123]

I'd really like to know how long it took the toronto elephants to beginning exploring on their own, and not hang out together. In addition how are they getting along with the other elephants

[@johncooper8537]

This is how it should be. Just cameras so we can watch and let them be elephants.

[@cathipalmer8217]

I totally read this title backwards and started to get all excited. "Wow! This elephant climbs trees?? Are her tonails painted red like cherries?" Oh well, real life is fun, too. BTW, if you get that bit about toenails painted red like cherries, you are OOOLD like me!

[@allmyrattys]

Had no idea elephants ate branches.

[@JoshuaMartian-go3tm]

If there were a zombie apocalypse and all humans disappeared, could the elephants live indefinitely in their 80 acre enclosure without human assistance? I mean in terms of food source currently existing in the enclosure and existing in it's climate?

[@johnperrigo6474]

Mmmmm....... tree branches!

[@eclark3849]

All Real Heroes who saved them Because of the disgrace called humanity they ended up here and they are the lucky ones

[@linebrunelle1004]

Elephants in Alaska and polar bears in Florida. W.T.H.

[@carolynm9638]

What would be reasons for her stress glands to be secreting in this video? She seems content.

[@barbibutton9619]

Where do you see this? Do they only secrete when stressed or could something else cause it like effort to climb a hill or hunger? Very observant to f you to notice. You should be a volunteer at a PAWS Sanctuary

[@carolynm9638]

Barbi Button I think the people at PAWS are wonderful! The world needs to be full of more just like them... You can see the wet, darker patch on her skin running down her head btwn her eyes and ears throughout the video. (Clearly at 1.30) Apparently the secretion can be from stress or excitement. But having now read a little more, I don't think that anyone is actually 100% sure, and there may be other reasons. I hope in this case it's happiness!

[@barbibutton9619]

Oh wow. Didn't know. I hope too, it's not stress. TY for explaining

[@christophernichols1379]

Why can't elephants live in America? This magnificent creature seems quite content.

[@soniadowney7427]

I'd love to give him a big kiss