@Girlbeforemirror's Elephant - With Color!

I have added color to @Girlbeforemirror's "Bicscrawl" Elephant that she did a couple weeks ago.  I thought this elephant was so cute, so I thought I'd bring it to life with some color.  I hope you like what I did with it.  I didn't really change it much, but, I did add a few little touches.

This elephant reminds me of visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo as a child.  There was an elephant that didn't live at the zoo, and was owned by a private citizen, that was contracted by the Zoo to give elephant rides.  I remember that elephant having a blanket over it's back, sort of like the one in this drawing.  Can't remember that elephant's name, but I do remember riding on him/her a few times.  He/she was smaller than the elephants they had on exhibit. So it was probably an Asian Elephant, and the other ones on exhibit were probably African Elephants.

I remember watching the other elephants at the zoo - many times, too.  I think (if I remember right) there were 3 of them and they were very large - so they were probably African Elephants. 

Several years ago, I took my daughter to the Circus.  I probably shouldn't have taken her.  I am aware of the animal abuse issues surrounding circuses, but thought it would be fun for her to see a circus.  So, don't hate me.  But, while we were there, two things happened in regards to elephants that I will never forget.  The first thing is that during intermission, I let my daughter do the elephant ride.  I didn't ride the elephant, just her.  So, while she was riding the elephant, I was down below, outside the ring, taking photos.  There were a couple elephants giving rides.  I remember watching them and being able to tell by the expression in the elephant's faces - that they DIDN'T like having to give rides to people.  The elephants seemed bored, annoyed.  Then, later at the end of the circus performance, it was time for the elephants to come out and perform.  They had the elephants basically dancing to music.  And, I remember watching them and being able to tell that the elephants were having fun!  As much as I hate the idea of elephants being in captivity and being forced to do tricks - those elephants liked the music and they liked dancing, or so it seemed to me.  

As much as it may be fun/cute to watch elephants do tricks and/or dance (and I still feel guilt for having had gone to that circus), it is WAY more humane to let elephants be elephants and live in the wild.  I'd like to bring your attention to an Elephant Sanctuary that I have been aware of for the past few years.  

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

The Elephant Sanctuary has 2700 acres for the elephants to roam on.  the Asian & African elephants have separate areas.  Currently there are 27 elephants living there.  You can visit their website to learn about each elephant's history.  Their website also lists each elephant that has been there in the past who have passed away.

The following video shows two elephants (Shirley & Jenny) who used to be at a circus together, being reunited in 1999 at the sanctuary after having been separated for 25 years.