“I love hearing Asia Barn Staff in the distance driving around the fence line to find Tarra and deliver her breakfast while she is off on another adventure. She explored many different corners of the 1600-acre Asia Habitat, and over the course of several days might be discovered at Secluded Pond, Turtle Pond Pasture, Marcella's, The Gauntlet, Hidden Pond, the lake, and the warming hut. The two were often seen sharing hay, rumbling to one another softly across the fence line.Ĭare Staff have said that when Tarra was not spending time interacting with her herd mates, she was walking far and wide through the habitat, covering miles of terrain each week, if not each day. She is a curious elephant, always showing interest in what is happening around her, and demonstrated particular interest in Nosey's tusks and mouth, taking in everything she could about this new companion with her trunk. Tarra was also the first elephant to greet African elephant Nosey, The Sanctuary's newest arrival, proving once again her remarkable acceptance of other species. Even with these distinct social groupings, Tarra would make her rounds, traveling miles to visit with each group - always returning to Shirley afterwards to make sure she was doing okay," said Kristy E., Senior Manager of Elephant Care. I remember soon after my arrival in 2011 noticing how Asia Barn's elephants would often choose to explore in different pairs.
"What I love most about Tarra is how social she is, how she would purposely take time to visit each one of her companions throughout the habitat. Tarra with Sissy, Winkie, Shirley, and Jenny in 2000 Tarra, ever the “social butterfly”, not only welcomed many new residents but often formed lasting bonds with them, easing their transition to Sanctuary. Tarra's "barking" vocalizations were easily recognized at The Sanctuary, sometimes heralding the arrival of a new resident or simply accompanying a sudden burst of excitement or emotion when greeting an old companion - of which there have been many. The pair were constant companions for eight years - eating, sleeping, playing, and exploring The Sanctuary's Asia Habitat together until Bella's passing in 2011 (watch the viral video here). In her retirement at The Sanctuary, Tarra warmed the hearts of fans around the world as the story and videos of her unlikely friendship with a small stray dog named Bella went viral. In 1995, Tarra officially retired to The Elephant Sanctuary, founded for her by Buckley and Scott Blais. Carol Buckley purchased Tarra and trained her for performance the two spent the next two decades traveling and performing at circuses, amusement parks, zoos, on television, and in advertising. Tarra was first owned by a tire salesman, who exhibited her at his store in southern California. At six months old, she was captured from the wild and brought to the United States in a wooden crate. Tarra was born in Burma (now Myanmar) in 1974. We will remember Tarra as paving the way for new elephants arriving at The Sanctuary, along with the daily delights and surprises she gave her Care Staff, not to mention the many, many supporters who read about her journey, witnessed her explorations live on The Sanctuary's EleCams, and who loved her alongside us. We are grateful for the lasting impact she made at The Sanctuary and will forever honor her legacy. We are deeply disappointed in this decision and had sincerely hoped that Tarra would be allowed to remain in Tennessee as a beloved member of our herd forever. Buckley on November 18, 2021." Tarra left The Sanctuary on Thursday as ordered. Buckley’s motion for immediate possession, and instructed The Sanctuary to “transfer possession of Tarra to Ms. This week, the court issued a final order of custody, granted Ms. Buckley planned to transfer Tarra to a new facility in Georgia. After ten years of litigation, the Tennessee court system made the decision that legal custody and possession of Tarra lies with Carol Buckley (read more about the history of the case here). The Sanctuary must now announce that Tarra's chapter at The Sanctuary has come to a close.
The first elephant to retire to The Elephant Sanctuary in 1995, Tarra holds a very special place in all our hearts. She spent the next 20 years traveling, performing, and on exhibit. While still a calf, Tarra was captured and thrust into a life of captivity. Tarra was our founding resident, and like so many other elephants, her life began in the wild, accompanied by her mother and other members of her herd. Asian elephant Tarra has resided at The Elephant Sanctuary since the very beginning, over 26 years.