Elephant Sanctuary Ousts Co-Founder
The co-founder of the internationally-known elephant sanctuary in Hohenwald is off the job. Carol Buckley said the Board of Directors has fired her.
"This was unbelievable and shocking. I had no idea. I was broadsided," said Buckley.
Buckley co-founded the elephant sanctuary 15 years ago. The 2,700 acre compound is currently home to 15 elephants. The sanctuary's mission is to provide a safe haven for old, sick or needy elephants.
"The sanctuary is home to me," said Buckley. "It's a place I manufactured in my head, and we erected it."
Marsha Richerdson is one of the not-for-profit sanctuary's 85,000 donor members. She said she trusted Buckley and wants answers about why the co-founder, a fierce advocate for the elephants, is leaving.
"Everybody is rethinking, how they are donating and what they will donate," said Richerdson.
Dr. William Shaffner is president of the elephant sanctuary.
"The vision of the sanctuary remains intact," said Shaffner.
Shaffner said the place remains true to the mission of providing help for elephants in need.
"It's still a place for the abuse elephants to come and remain and be loved and cared for," said Shaffner. He did not give a specific reason for Buckley's departure.
Buckley said some objected to her management style.
"Many of the staff were intimidated by me. That's true," said Buckley.
Buckley admitted she can be hard on staff and the elephants always came first. Over the years, she's become very close to many of the elephants she considers to be family.
"I don't believe I could live if I don't see them again," said Buckley.
Buckley said she can only see the elephants now by appointment. The board of directors asked her to move out of the home she lives in at the sanctuary.
Board President Shaffner said they've begun an international search to find a new CEO to replace Buckley.
The elephant sanctuary is one of two such places in the country with natural habitat for endangered Asian and African elephants.
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It almost sounds like Ms. Buckley suggest's she will "suck a bullet" if she can't see the elephants again, "because of this wondrous bond and connection she has developed with the elephants, whom will apparently suffer greatly." You have to beg to wonder, what about the wondrous bond and connection the elephants had with their original "caregivers????" Folks can sure be self serving, when it comes to BSing the unsuspecting public.
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10 comments:
If her partner Scott left a month ago or so and her leaving rumors have been flying for a month or so, how was she "Blindsided?"
Bobby,
I think Scott is still there?
Wade
She said "Broadsided", not "Blindsided". there is a difference.
This is a power grab by the board of directors based on the amount of money the Sanctuary (Carol specifically) has been able to raise. They took advantage of a situation to oust the strong voice of the Sanctuary and play puppetmaster with the more passive voice.
Us donors are outraged because the money we gave for the elephants is being used to pay for a P.R. companies spin, lawyers to cover the boards tracks and a temporary CEO that has zero experience in the animal industry (unless you count nuns as penguins). The board is paying this unqualified temporary CEO 10 TIMES what either Carol or Scott have been paid, so that means less money for the elephants.
We have no confirmation as to how much of that CEO's salary is being kicked back to the Board members.
So does that mean she is now not a leading role in anti circus expertice? That she is no longer creditable because she was fired? What a blow to such a great bullshit artist as CAROL BUCKLEY!!!! Hahahahahaha !!!!!!
Something seems very off here -- no ?
Someone must have the insider info ?
If she was smart as they are - she would have put in place something that protected her position and rights there-
I always thought this belonged to her - how could she be kicked out ? Can someone explain this ?
Also - I am curious what happens with tarra ? Wasn't that ele' actually hers ? Wasn't that her roller skater ?
Wouldn't 1 think if she wanted her - she could certainly remove her from there ? ( maybe even go back on the road ? )
This all seems so odd ? ESP if Scott is still there. ! Maybe there was something going on in tge "love nest" and he moved someone else in ?
Would love to hear if anyone knows legally what happens
when she made it non profit and lost full control with a board of directors ? I guess she didn't have very good legal advise when she did this ?
Whatever Carol's rights and wrongs, it has been my experience that many people who are very focused on the care of their animals are also sob's when it comes to dealing with the people who work for them. So, I'm tempted to believe that the timid girls who find themselves working there aren't used to being commanded.
Whatever, I do believe that she put everything she had into building the place and slogging around the country to keep the operational funding coming in. I doubt it would have gotten to where it is if it started as a comitee.
Yes, Scott is still there, but it would have been impossible for her not to notice the changes in attitude towards her within the organization.
It will be interesting to see whether it goes closer to the AR movement or towards the zoological animal husbandry direction. Will the homeopathic, herbs and inscense approach give way to stricter veterinary methods?
Scott left,,,,the board wanted him to come back,and he would only return if she was gone.....wait...this story will get better...it just hasnt hit the news yet...........she already has a new job............R
Wade,
I just read the Sanctuary website and it says he is still there.
Bob
Go to carolbuckley.com and read the post titled "What constitutes a herd member?". She is now saying she is a memeber of the herd. For years her and the AR people have been saying that people (trainers, handlers, keepers) can't be herd members to an elephant. Let's see what they say now that the great Buckley says it's so. Maybe you can only be a member if you don't give commands.
It all about money money money money.
Come on Anonymous, Carol and the sanctuary have been spending money on their PR spins for years.
Karma is a bitch.
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