🌿🐘Elephant Update | Moving from 2025, Looking Ahead to 2026

From Texas to the Field: Nepal, Thailand & India

Because of your compassion, real change is happening on the ground. As 2025 wrapped up strong, we’re excited to share how your support has shaped brighter futures for elephants as we step into 2026

From Thailand to India to Nepal, we traveled far and wide—revisiting partners and building meaningful new connections. Here’s a glimpse of what you made possible.

A Partnership Rooted in Compassion: Stand Up 4 Elephants (SU4E), Nepal

In 2025, we connected with Stand Up 4 Elephants (SU4E) in Chitwan, Nepal—an ethical sanctuary home to two beloved elephants, Lhamo and Eva . Beyond caring for their own elephants, SU4E has provided free foot care and nutritional support to more than 50 working elephants in nearby villages since 2014 . Their commitment to elephants and community made partnering with SU4E an easy yes , and our Earth Day campaign raised over $5,000 to support their future goals. In September 2025, we visited SU4E in person, met co-founders Flo and Micael, and witnessed their compassion firsthand . We’re honored to continue supporting SU4E as they grow .

Expanding Freedom: Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES), Thailand

In Thailand, we deepened our connection with Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES), an ethical sanctuary in Ban Tuek led by Katherine O’Connor and home to just over 20 rescued elephants .

Last year, we partnered with BLES on two impactful campaigns. The first supported land acquisition, securing an additional 95 acres to expand the sanctuary and give elephants more room to roam . The second helped fund the rescue of Sweetheart—offering her a safer, more peaceful future .

To support Sweetheart’s ongoing care, we also partnered with BLES and Kendra Scott’s Flagship Store for an in-house fundraiser—bringing communities together for elephants . We are grateful to stand alongside BLES and support their mission of dignity, freedom, and lifelong care.

The Jumbo Troops Continue to Move Forward

The Jumbo Troops: From West Bengal to TexasIn India, we continued our work with The Jumbo Troops (TJT), joining their Brake for Wildlife campaign to help reduce human–elephant road accidents. We traveled with TJT’s veterinarian to villages to observe cattle inoculations —a critical step in preventing disease transmission to elephants and other wildlife.

We also visited two thriving nature-based after-school programs , where children learn about the environment and the essential role elephants play in their landscape .

During the wild elephant migration in West Bengal , we witnessed elephants safely crossing highways at night—a powerful reminder of why coexistence and protection matter so deeply.

Meanwhile, back in Texas, we hosted our successful fundraising event at Lazarus Brewery, helping TJT expand their impact and protect elephants across West Bengal for the next two years .

Because of you, elephants are safer, communities are stronger, and compassion is turning into lasting change. Thank you for walking this journey with us—into 2026 and beyond

Trunkloads of Gratitude,Melinda PharrThe Elephant Initiative