Dear friends and supporters,
It has been a while since our last update, and we hope this message finds you well.
A great deal has happened at the sanctuary over the past few weeks, and we wanted to share both the challenges and the hope that have shaped this unexpected chapter.
An urgent rescue decision
We had not planned to welcome a new elephant at all, but we were deeply moved by her situation.
Begam Kali is around 70 years old and has worked her entire life. According to the information we received, her owners were preparing a transfer across the border to India, where she faced an uncertain and difficult future.
Everything happened extremely fast. She was due to leave the next day, and paperwork authorizing her movement toward the border had already been issued.
In that moment, Begam Kali was only hours away from a very different ending to her life. We only had a few hours to make a decision. We chose to act.
Begam Kali was retired thanks to the support of the NGO Planting Peace, which came on site and rapidly raised the funds needed to secure her rescue.
This intervention gave her an unexpected second chance and made the difference between departure and freedom.
She was officially handed over to us, making us fully responsible for her care from that moment on. While this was an incredible and necessary rescue, it has also created a significant gap in our budget, as we were not financially prepared for taking her in.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Monique Desclée, and to the King Baudouin Foundation, whose exceptional generosity has made it possible for us to cover Begam Kali’s immediate care needs.
Their support made this new chapter in safety and peace possible.
Without their support, we honestly do not know how we would have managed. At the same time, this support only gives us a short window of stability, and the situation remains very fragile moving forward.
A heartfelt call for support
If you are able to help, even in a small way, please know that your support goes directly into Lucky and Begam Kali’s lives. It becomes their food, their care, their comfort, and everything they need to thrive.
If you are able, a monthly donation is especially precious, as it allows us to plan ahead and ensure continuity of their care.
Every act of support, no matter its size, helps us protect the peaceful retirement that Lucky and Begam Kali have finally found.
WATCH: Begam Kali’s first earth bath after rescue | A new life begins
We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to Jan Peyser, who stepped forward to help Begam Kali from the very moment she arrived. Thanks to her generosity, we were able to provide the specialized food she requires, along with the vitamins, minerals, and essential supplies needed for her daily care.
At around 70 years old, Begam Kali no longer has any teeth and depends entirely on a carefully prepared diet. Jan’s support helped ensure that these essential needs could be met from her very first days at the sanctuary. We are deeply grateful for her kindness, trust, and generosity.
To all of you, thank you for being here with us and for holding our elephants in your hearts.
With gratitude and hope,
Lena.
ASSOCIATION MOEY 