Nosey ~ A Story of Abuse and Neglect

Nosey: A Story of Abuse and Neglect

by Kenzie Hurlburt, Action for Nosey Now, The California Environmental Institute and Save Nosey Now

Nosey A Story of Abuse and Neglect

Text and Edition copyright © 2015 by AFNN Team

July. 23, 2015 President Obama 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, I am writing to ask that you please rescue Nosey, the elephant. She is suffering at the hands of the Liebel Family Circus. In their custody she has been tortured, abused and treated like a slave. Despite her many ailments, such as the degenerative arthritis in her joints, she is still forced to give rides and perform tricks that are difficult and painful for her. She is clearly in pain, yet the USDA makes excuses and refuses to take action, despite the nearly 200 citations of the Animal Welfare Act. The pleas of tens of thousands of people across the world and the opinion of a reputable veterinarian, that Nosey is in critical condition, have fallen on the deaf ears of Tom Vilsack. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is ready to welcome her with open arms. Please take action, please send Nosey to a sanctuary, please show compassion for this innocent elephant.

Sincerely, Kenzie Hurlburt A 17 year-old Concerned Citizen kstar180@gmail.com

Kenzie Hurlburt

At age of 5 little Nosey starting her life of abuse and neglect in the circus.

Nosey aka Tiny, Peanut, or Dumbo. Toe nails painted in white, holding a swing in her mouth and standing on hind legs ... what else will she have to endure?

Rehearsal time

Carrying well over 200 lbs

Crawling like a baby? The ultimate degradation!

In chains no matter what!

Alone and chained

Impossible to move

Tightly Chained

Standing chained on hard surface

Nosey, as a traveling circus elephant, rides 1000s miles, every year, in a tight, rusty, filthy trailer and stands in her own waste.

Alone and bored in a tight pen.

No food, no water. Just the thought of a distant past life in Zimbabwe.

Giving rides day in, day out in aimless circles.

Would she be dreaming of freedom?

Most of the time carrying over 200 lbs on her back, while in discomfort and in a lot of pain.

Overload of people on back/ carrying groom and bride in wedding party/ toe nails painted in white

Constantly humiliated, Nosey is never given freedom of choice to live her life as an elephant.

Nosey is forced to perform and give rides, while suffering from arthritis.

She is used as a tow truck!

After so many years of abuse and neglect, she presents an eye condition and also a terrible skin condition.

Her right back ear has several punctures.

What else will she have to endure?

Terrible skin condition and weight loss

Although power washing is standard of care for captive elephants, it does not provide the

comfort or therapy of a natural mud bath ... which she could experience in a sanctuary.

Health Condition

Nosey's health is clearly deteriorating: She has a chronic inflammation in her eyes and a painful skin condition.

Her back legs are swollen and she limps, because she suffers from degenerative arthritis.

This condition is not only common, but fatal in captive elephants all over the world.

Her swayed back and protruding spine are unmistakably noticeable, which is atypical in African elephants of this age.

She must be retired to a sanctuary to recover, before her life is cut short.

She deserves to live out her days with dignity and in freedom, and in company of other elephants.

Tusks being pulled by woman

What is that supposed to be?

She has lived all her life in fear, controlled by a bullhook.

It's the constant reminder of the abuse she has endured.

Holding bullhook with trunk

I need your voice now!

You are my only hope!

Can you help me, please?

Nosey's History * 80s: She came from Zimbabwe to Florida, bought by a rich businessman. * At age of 5 she was bought by Hugo Liebel of the American Circus Family. * Now at 34: she has suffered psychological abuse, having no companionship of other elephants; physical abuse, being beaten, enduring inhumane living and transport conditions, being tortured with electric shocks and bullhooks. * Liebel states she carries only 200 lbs on her back, but photos show she regurlaly carries much more than that. * Liebel has been cited by the USDA nearly 200 times for noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). * According to court documents Nosey is abused as follows: - Electro-shocked and beaten with sledgehammers and shovels in the dark.

- Controlled by bullhook.

- Deprived of food for training purposes and deprived of proper veterinary care. * Nosey's health conditions: she suffers from weight loss, untreated eye infection and untreated skin condition, and degenerative chronic arthritis, as noted by Dr. Ensley, a vet for 44 years, with over 30 years spent in zoo practice. "[Nosey] undoubtedly suffers from advanced arthritis and degenerative joint disease, resulting in ongoing pain, and most likely permanently impaired limb function."

Nosey "... is unnecessarily suffering, permanently disabled, arthritic, crippled, and is knowingly being maimed," * Over recent months, many people have collected video footage of Nosey showing a clear decline in her ability to ambulate without dragging her left rear leg. * The USDA refuses to exercise its authority to interpret and enforce the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)to protect Nosey.

Find us:

Website: www.savenoseynow.org

Facebook: Action for Nosey Now https://www.facebook.com/pages/Actionfor-Nosey-Now/549814465150851 The California Environmental Institute https://www.facebook.com/pages/TheCalifornia-EnvironmentalInstitute/517434771651003?fref=ts Save Nosey Now https://www.facebook.com/groups/ SaveNoseytheElephant/ Blog: Action for Nosey Now https://www.rebelmouse.com/ ActionForNoseyNow/

Twitter: @ActforNosey @SaveNoseyNow Nosey is owned by Hugo Liebel, Davenport, Florida, USDA License 58-C-0288.

Text and Editing: AFNN Team Images: Claudia Lima, Jennifer Hurlburt, Karen Smith, PeTA, Facebook, Internet