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Meet Tarra, our second resident at Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) and a pioneer in elephant sanctuary living. On February 14th, she celebrates her 51st birthday—a milestone marking a lifetime of resilience and transformation.
Tarra, a wild-caught Asian elephant, was born in 1974. At just three months old, she was sold by an exotic animal broker to an animal collector in California, where she was put on display at a tire store. That same year, she met Carol Buckley, a college student studying exotic animal
training. Their bond would influence the captive elephant industry and shape the future of
elephant care worldwide.
For 36 years, Tarra and Carol were inseparable. They began their life together performing in amusement parks and circuses before transitioning to appearances at zoos, in movies, and on television. Tarra’s emerging independent nature made it clear that she needed something more—a life that honored her natural instincts. Inspired by Tarra’s needs, Carol founded the first natural habitat elephant sanctuary in the U.S. in 1995, where Tarra, age 21, became its first resident.
Over the following fifteen years 23 needy elephants were rescued to the sanctuary. In 2010 a hostile Board takeover, forcibly separated Tarra and Carol. Tarra spent over a decade without Carol, in a facility where medical records documented behavioral and health changes, including anxiety, aggression, and a degenerative bone disease. Recognizing Tarra’s need for a different environment, Carol fought for Tarra’s removal and established Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) in 2016, designed specifically to meet the needs of aging elephants.
On November 18, 2021, Tarra was reunited with Carol and began her new life at ERNA. Now, Tarra enjoys the freedom to explore, graze, and form strong bonds with fellow elephants Bo and Mundi and her beloved dogs Mala and Samie. Every day, Tarra thrives in the 850-acre refuge, where she enjoys autonomy, social companionship, and a life centered around her well-being.

Tarra’s journey embodies the power of individualized, compassionate care. From the first elephant to retire to a natural habitat to her continued thriving at ERNA, she symbolizes what’s possible when elephants are given the space, respect, and companionship they deserve.
Happy 51st Birthday, Tarra!