Everyone is curious. We have featured some FAQs about Nosey & Elephants in human care.
FAQs About Nosey
#Q1. Where did Nosey come from? A: Nosey was born around 1982 in Zimbabwe, Africa. At barely two years old, Her entire herd was brutally slaughtered for their Ivory, orphaning her and around 60 other baby elephants. Millionaire inventor, Arthur Jones heard about the culling and invested in a operation to save the orphaned baby elephants, fearing for the extinction of the African Elephant (More African Elephants were killed during the 1980s than any other decade). He used a huge Boeing plane to load up the elephants and take them to his 330-acre estate in Florida, called "Jumbolair". In 1986, Jones became unable to take care of most of the elephants and some were transferred to Hollywild Animal Park, owned by David Meeks. Meeks simply trained the young elephants before selling them to Zoos and Circuses. Nosey was adopted by Mr. Hugo Liebel around 1988.
#Q2. Was Nosey Beaten in order to perform or give rides? A: Absolutely Not. This is a bold-faced LIE claimed by Animal Rights Extremists. First off, Elephants are highly intelligent and easy learners. They learn by playing and copycatting someone most of the time. Training elephants take lots of patience - including earning their trust, respect and building a bond with it's caregiver. Nosey was trained by positive methods - food rewards and plenty of affection. Nosey is family and is treated like so. As many professional handlers of elephants have stated, "You cannot trust to work with or around an Elephant trained by fear and punishment" - TO LEARN MORE: Visit Our "Circus Elephant Welfare" Tab.
#Q3. Does Nosey have Health issues?
A: No, this is yet another false claim by the extremists. The ONLY Health issue Nosey ever had was a Skin condition 10 years ago. Nosey's personal veterinarian of over 10 years and USDA inspections state Nosey was healthy upon inspection. Nosey has never had arthritis - a claim started by PETA, who filmed her giving rides, pointing out how she moves. Nosey moves carefully when people are on her back because Elephants are emphatic and she is aware of them, not wanting them to fall - so she walks slowly. When performing or roaming in the woods, Her walking is completely active. When it comes to the claims of the Veterinarian at The Elephant Sanctuary who testified in court - She was proven to have no official or readable evidence supporting her claims - including no Blood work and admits her X-rays could not be read properly. Nosey was in fact inspected by a USDA official in Alabama - 3 days before her seizure and It stated Nosey was healthy.
#Q4. Do The Liebels have over 200 Violations from the USDA and Animal Welfare Act?
A: No - Once again, False claim by PETA and Animal Rights Extremists. If this claim were true - Nosey would have been seized by the USDA or another form of authority years ago. The majority of those "violations" were written up by PETA on their media page. The Liebels have had minor citations in the past, regarding food and public safety - but no Abuse or mistreatment of animals and ANY facility or animal owner is not perfect. There is no "200 citations" either.
#Q5. Why is Nosey "Chained"?
A: Nosey is seen tethered on leads because It is REQUIRED by The Animal Welfare Act for public safety when The Elephant is not being supervised and REQUIRED during transport. If Nosey is provided with her own gated enclosure - Tethering is not needed. When restrained, Nosey can walk a few steps and lay down if she chooses to. Nosey is never tethered for less than 2 hours in a day. That is not even 80% of her life. She is never tethered to leads too tightly. When not performing, Nosey takes walks through fields or woodlands, supervised by one of the Liebels. She does this plenty of times a day, but activists will not show you that...
#Q6. Why Does Nosey's Owner carry a "Bullhook"?
A: The Ankus or Elephant Guide, as It is ACTUALLY and more modernly called, is a key husbandry tool when handling elephants in what is called, "Free Contact" - or in other words, Sharing the same space with the elephant. Nosey's owners are REQUIRED by the USDA to carry one when around the public. The Guide is approved by the USDA, American Veterinary Association and the AZA. - TO LEARN MORE AND TO UNDERSTAND THE PROPER USE OF THE GUIDE: VISIT THE LINK BELOW
A: When not traveling with her human companions, Nosey is housed on The Liebel's Family farm in Central Florida, where she has plenty of acres, a warm barn, and horse friends to graze or play with. Nosey only travels 4-5 months a year. The rest of her time is spent at her loving home where she will properly retire when she is ready to.
#Q8. Did Nosey attack a worker in 2014?
A: No, she did not. Nosey has barely any history of being aggressive towards people. The man who "came forward" and claimed he was attacked was a drunken, ex-worker who was not satisfied with his pay from the circus and did this to get back at The Liebels as well as get attention. Nosey DID, however, lash out towards the person winching her while she was being take from the Liebels in Alabama - He had to get a few stitches for his injuries.
#Q9. Why does Nosey have a "dip" in her back? Is that from people riding her?
A: Nosey's dipped or swayed Back is definitely not from people riding her. Many African Elephants do have a dip in their backs and It is a natural physical feature on them. If you do a simple Google search and look at Images of African Elephants, You will see it. Riding Elephants does not harm or deform their backs.
#Q10. How do you Know when Nosey is happy?
A: Unlike most animals, Elephants do not show emotions with their facial expressions. Elephants do have many ways of showing that they are relaxed and happy. When Nosey is happy, She is very touchy with her trunk and her ears are relaxed, occasionally fanning herself. Nosey is not extremely vocal. African Elephants usually are vocal when frustrated, surprised, calling to one another or to alert others of danger. While at TES, Nosey was filmed trumpeting some and tossing a branch around - It was analyze by Elephant experts and was confirmed that she is frustrated and stressed at TES. There is photos of her with her ears all the way out which means she feels threatened and is giving a warning to back off. A couple also reveal she is draining fluid on the sides of her face - Female elephants do this when stressed or hormonal.
#Q11. Why is Nosey kept alone?
A: Nosey has had companions in the past but Sadly, It never worked out. Nosey was raised by humans and imprinted on them so much that she sees people as her herd. In Human care, "People elephants" are possible and do occur. Nosey does not get along well when sharing her space with other elephants. Besides The Liebels, Nosey is more comfortable being around her Horse and pony friends. Nosey always got her socialization with her family, horse companions and the public.
#Q12. Why is Nosey's Trailer so small?
A: Nosey's traveling trailer is not small, BUT Secure. Elephants are large animals and can easily overturn a trailer if not secured or if they are not restrained. It is REQUIRED by the Animal Welfare Act for proper transport an Elephant. Her trailer happens to be USDA and FWC approved and certified. Nosey does have food when in the trailer and great ventilation. The trailer is in fact a elephant trailer, not some old cargo trailer. The Liebels must follow the restrictions and laws of the USDA.
FAQs About Elephants in Human Care
#Q1. How Many Elephants are in human care?
A: It is estimated that around 400 Elephants rely on human care in the United States and an Estimated 15,000-20,000 Elephants are in human care worldwide. 80% of Asia's elephants rely on human care especially.
#Q2. Are Elephants considered Domesticated?
A: The Asian Elephant is considered domesticated, as It has been in man's care for thousands of years. Man have been riding the Asian Elephant way before Horses were domesticated. The African Elephant isn't considered domesticated BUT Man has had African Elephants in their care for hundreds of years alone.
#Q3. Why Do Elephants Sway?
A: There is no official answer to this, but Recent studies have proven that It is not due to stress or boredom. Experts have stated It is most likely they sway to shift their weight when in being held in one place. Research also confirms Elephants will sway when excited or anxiously waiting for food or a bath.
#Q4. Do Elephants have different personalities and their own preferences?
A: Yes, they do! Each Elephant have their own personality and preferences. What makes Elephant care the best is for a caregiver knowing the elephant very well, like at least a couple years. Elephants are all different. Some can be laid back. Some are goofy. and others could have some attitude. Some elephants like certain foods better than others and some aren't picky at all. Not knowing an elephant well personally over time can result in bad husbandry and poor care.
#Q5. Do Elephants like to work or do tasks?
A: Yes, Research has revealed that Elephants do look forward to working or doing something to keep them active. These animals are so smart and self-aware that in human care they must remain simulated mentally and physically. Another reason why Circus elephants perform or why some Zoo elephants do educational presentations. Working and doing tasks provides plenty of exercise too.
#Q6. Is Riding an Elephant bad on their backs or supporting abuse?
A: No. Elephants are capable of supporting over 800 lbs on their backs and They are not abused in order for people to ride them. Their spines are very similar to a horse's spine and For thousands of years, man has ridden and used elephants to carry heavy loads, without any issues. Female elephants even support over 60% of a Male's weight on her back during mating, so four or five 150 lbs humans are nothing to them. Elephants rides provide enrichment for the elephant most of all. Again, The majority of Elephants are trained positively and through respect or trust, not abuse. Elephants born and raised in human care are trained to get used to a person on their backs - It is the same with training horses or camels.
#Q7. Do Elephants perform unnatural and risky tricks when performing?
A: No. When performing, Elephants are in fact performing natural behaviors, along with some extras that are taught through playing and mimicking their trainers. Elephants do stand on their hind legs, sit down, mount one another, and even do headstands in the wild. In the Wild, Headstands are actually done by baby elephants playing or by adults creating large holes in soft soil or mud.
#Q8. Are Baby Elephants separated from their mothers during training?
A: No. That would be highly traumatizing and stressful. Early, simple training is done around the calf's mother and than when The calf has independence from it's mother, Training continues, but no matter what age, The calf shares his space with his mothers or siblings. Family is important to elephants and keeping family together when training is just as important. Sometimes the mother even shows her calf several things too.
#Q9. What is Daily care for a Typical Circus Elephant?
A: Caring for any elephant requires lots of money, lots of work and passion for caring for them. Every morning, Performing elephants get fed before their handlers do. Their areas get cleaned up and bedding gets replaced. Each day, The Elephants get a bath and spa treatment - getting pedicures. Every week or month, a vet comes out and examines each elephant, including testing for TB. After or between shows, Circus elephants do get to socialize, relax, and some even get to take long walks and play in mud or dust themselves.