In the documentary film “An Apology to Elephants” Lily Tomlin makes mention of an elephant named Nosey. These are her words.
Lily Tomlin: “This is Nosey. She was born in Zimbabwe in 1982. She was captured as a baby after a culling that killed all of her family and left her orphaned. She along with 62 other orphans were brought* to the U.S. and sold to circuses and zoos. Nosey was sold to a small circus in Florida. Of that original group Nosey is the only elephant still performing.”
*While this “rescue” may have started with good intentions, and the 20/20 segment “The Flying Elephants” (1984) may have focused particularly on the heartwarming moments (except for the bullhook wielding men scuttling their charges, the baby elephants, up the ramp and onto the 707 plane) only time could begin to uncover the great tragedies that would become these elephants’ lives.
Nosey and her Master photo: PETA
Nosey is one of those tragedies, still. Arthritic and obviously ailing Nosey is currently being peddled around Florida flea markets for the Liebling Bros. Family Circus as the feature attraction for their decidedly unpopular (the public opinion of elephant & animal rights activists in this 21st century) “feed the elephant” and “ride the elephant” sideshow.
This innocent African elephant needs our help now. Sangita Iyer’s (who is the Director and Producer for the upcoming Film “ Gods in Shackles “ ) article has alerted us to a detailed report by Dr. Phillip Ensley (please examine this) which shows us every instance of Nosey’s failing health.
Nosey is in poor health and still forced to give elephant rides photo: PETA
Nosey has been a captive performing elephant all of her life. (She had only 2 years in Africa to live as an elephant.) This elephant has, since 1988 when she was purchased, been the bread and butter of a man by the name of Hugo (aka Tommy) Liebel who operates The Liebel Family Circus.
Nosey is the bread and butter for the Liebling Bros. Family Circus
This circus and this man, reports Sangita Iyar for The Huffington Post Canada, have been fined for numerous violations (since 1993) for cruelty and neglect issues involving animals including (and especially) our elephant Nosey.
PETA has compiled a document factsheet as they have painstakingly campaigned for our elephant Nosey for many years. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to turn their backs on Nosey despite pleas from numerous groups that have banded for the sole purpose to rescue this innocent African elephant.
Nosey is still waiting for us to come to take her away from this misery. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has been waiting too, to take her in. (See letter here )
It is time to end Nosey’s suffering. Help Rescue Nosey Now.
Groups to Contact:
Action For Nosey Now on facebook
Nosey The Elephant Needs Our Help on facebook
#nosey on Twitter
Barbara Lovett Twitter “Proud Supporter of the Voiceless!” has recent updates on Nosey being subjected to giving rides at Florida Flea Markets
What Can We Do To Rescue Nosey Now
Visit the sites listed above. The email & video campaigns are listed below:
Peta2 Free For All Take Action site “Urge Congress To Take Action For Nosey”
An Elephant Story – Nosey the Elephant YouTube Video and instructions on how to send an email (letter), in Nosey’s behalf, to the USDA
Click here for YouTube vintage video segment of 20/20 on ABC “The Flying Elephants“**
**Now one would think this rescue of 63 elephants in 1984 by Arthur Jones (of the Nautilus Fitness Equipment fame) was truly for elephant conservation efforts as one was lead to believe in the video segment coming from millionaire Mr. Jones himself (hear his words on the YouTube video).
Nosey is aware of her Master’s bullhook at all times
However when those baby elephants were ultimately sold into lives of trauma and abuse (circus & performing elephants were/are trained by humans using cruel methods & using bullhooks) and never allowed to just be elephants again, then Mr. Jones’s words just turned into empty promises. Also remember that Nosey is the only elephant of all of those 63 baby elephants in the video still performing to this day and look at the life she has led, the suffering she has endured and still endures today.
photos credit: PETA
Thank you for bringing more awareness to Nosey and her plight. Please join us at Save Nosey NOW! on Facebook for actions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.savenoseynow.org/
This is all for Nosey. Thank you for your work and campaigns for Nosey and all of our elephants.
This is so frustrating.
Nosey MUST be free.
It’s been way too long, her suffering.
Thank you for caring about Nosey. Together we can make our voices heard and end her suffering.
please liberate poor nosey as soon as possible how much more can she endure!!!! the sanctuary is waiting for her make her happy once in her poor captive life release her
You are so right. Nosey will be very happy at the sanctuary and she deserves that! Thank you for helping to spread the word about Nosey.
This guy has to stop this and FREE NOSEY
It is reprehensible what he is doing to our elephant Nosey. Thank you for your comment.
Hello Savannah, thank you for writing on Nosey! Please contact me via Action for Nosey Now. Thanks!
Hi Karen: Anything for Nosey! I’ll be in touch.
It is OUTRAGEOUS that she still is there. One congressman wrote a strong letter about and for Nosey–and again when up to be retured-or to stay another year- which was to be judged on her health only a month and a half ago. –
Her health was NOT good. It has not been good for some time now. Mr Liebel.. who keeps pushing Nosey to fgive people rides and …worse.. knows very well she has very bad arthritis..and much more.
At the end of 2015, however, when she was to be checked for her health -to see if she should retire or not… Mr Liebel -with over 400 + …..PLUS… citations… was allowed to use his own vet (for Nosey and others) to make this decision???
Yes a group of student vets also checked her over—how ever -it was clear t these students that a vet practicing for years.. had given her a clean bill of health. I am sure that played a role in how much they really checked her over.
Besided that—the vet was the main report that would be seen.
the vet:
Mr Liebels OWN VET!
Isn’t there something about that that is wrong?
Ofcourse the FWC did not see a thing wrong with this… but the FWC mand the USDA for too long have been letting thing “go”. ..Even with a congressman writing in.. and the 400+ citations.. and more. yes… MORE!
-HOW ….I ask in good concious… How can this continue to be let “go” …to pass by.. saying Nosey is fine.
BUT….SHE IS NOT FINE.
I imagine few congress people may write in. but.. one already did. passionately. and again before the FWC set up having MrLiebels vet be the one to make the main check on Noseys health. …Are you kidding me? –that is all I said.. when I heard they LET his vet do the check up.. no ther VET..Not students… was allowed to examine her—even despite all asking. Even despite all of Mr Liebels citations.. and more.
I have never seen such -not only a questionable way of how Mr Liebels own vet could possibly make a true and fair assassment of Nosey’s health– but for too long…and with too many people speaking for and about Nosey..as well as the citions.. 400….
FOUR HUNDRED PLUS CITATIONS… … that is al lot of citiations.
For the FWC to even..think of… allowing Mr Liebels vet to do the check-up… which I am sure he does have to stay within some line of “truth” ..but that is VERY easy to see things in a way that suits his and Mr Liebels purposes into saying she is still ok to carry on another year.
REGARDLESS OF HIS OPINION— HE NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONLY DOCTOR TO EXAMINE NOSEY.
AGAIN– CONSIDERING ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THE FWC HAD ON LIEBEL (IE: THE 400+ CITATIONS AND …MORE) AS WELL AS MANY PEOPLE WRITING IN ETC ASKING FOR NOSEY TO BE SEEN BY A VETERINARIAN WITH MANY MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH ELEPHANTS-AS WELL AS HAVING GREAT CREDENTIAL (ALL WHICH WAS VERY EASY TO FIND A VET OF SUCH STANDING-AND ALSO—WITH NO….NO!.. TIE TO MR LIEBEL/ HIS VET/ OR ANY ONE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. –
DESPITE ALL THIS—THE FWC SIMPLY ALLOWED DR LIEBELS VET TO BE THE ONLY DR TO EXAMINE HER. —DESPITE SO MANY STANDING AGAINST THIS.. -NO. IT WAS DONE. STUDENTS ALSO EXAMINED HER.
STUDENTS? -WHY NOT ANTHER VET. —ANOTHER OPINION.
THE FWC KNEW VERY VERY WELL WHY ANOTHER OPINION WAS ASKED FOR… AND WHY IT HAD TO BE DOCTOR- WITH A EXCELLENT RECORD OF HEL[ING AND EXAMINING ELEPHANTS… BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO IT.
IT WAS A CLOSED -BARRICADED DOOR. ….WHY?
It MAKES ME WONDER WHY THERE…IS A -NEED- FOR AN FWC..OR A USDA… WHEN CARING ABOUT WHO IS BEING EXAMINED IS NOT PART OF THE REASON SHE IS BEING EXAMINED AT ALL!
I am so TIRED of people who KNOW what they are doing is wrong… but do it anyway.
I also am tired of no one questioning the FWC about this.
BUT..SO MANY ELEPHANT AND OTHER LIVING BEINGS ARE BEING KILLED AND/ OR TORTURED IN MASS NUMBERS.. WHIPS AND CHAINS AND HOOKS.. ETC.. THAT ALL -WHEN BABIES..WERE BROKEN DOWN BY SUCH TORTURE THAT …MANY DIED! TORTURE..TO BREAK THEIR SPIRIT..THEIR SENSE OF BEING..SENSE OF..STRENGTH.. -WAS TAKEN.. BY TORTURE WHICH MADE THEM FEAR EVEN THE SOUND OR SIGHT ETC.. OF ONE OF THE THINGS USED TO TORTURE THEM. EVEN WORDS WHEN BEATING THEM WITH ..-ALL KINDS OF THINGS. OF COURSE PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES-SUCH AS AMERICA-KNOW ..THEY ARE …BUYING.. -ANOTHER LIVING BEING.. WHO WAS ALMOST BEATEN AND TORTURED TO …DEATH-..BUT MADE IT OUT ALIVE–TO PERFORM IN CIRCUSES. . ETC ETC. THEY …WANTED… THEM TO BE EASY TO CONTROL. –
EVWEN IF MANY CLAIM…..CLAIM…TO NOT HAVE KNOWN OF THIS ONCE.. —NOW: THERE IS NO WAY POSSIBLE TO …NOT…NOW.
Noset is there to work.. and..she is abused ..and worse. Citations ….400+ … do not just come from slapping the face of an elephant!
Nosey is in real pain. She has been tortured and more.. to be controlled. She is.. cryong all the time. crying and yelling-in pain..but to be let go! She is hoping someone will finally CARE enough to stand up and let her have the rest of her life at TES..one of the very very beast sanctuaries for elephants only. -She won’t be free. She won’t ever have her life back. -BUT.. she can be cared for-..helped to get strong.. and to then walk out to meet the other elephants. She..will be loved.. by the other elephants.. she will likely bond with one or..-? however it happens. but–she is STARVED FOR LOVE…AND TO LOVE. …TO..LOVE!. They each know the other has been through…such horrors.. but-
Elephants (and other species) KNOW humans too. and they do…really DO still trust..
BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SENSES AND KNOWLEDGE ..WHICH TOGETHER…
…allows bonds with one or more of the staff at TES. they are gentle..go slowly.. and-elephants..know. and some bond…with one or more of the staff. one elephant formed a VERY deep bond with a dog! .. These are —other living beings..like us.
they ..have so so much to say..to live..to feel..to do.. to care.. to be cared for.. to feel warmth..of love.
Nosey
Needs to be loved.
I just wish some how..one person.. who can fight for her to be seen by another vet..
a vet of high standing.. she will ..yes.. the vet WILL SEE… how Nosey is is pain. —and.. she must be retired now.
…Can you imagine how beautiful it would be to see her ..feeling truly HAPPY!
never knowing happiness..
to be happy!
…It would take a strong voice..even manybe a few voices.
But..isn’t that why you took the job..to begin with. -to HELP!
…I hope some of you will find that love in you again..and stand up. you will have way too many with you..rthat if anything-you each would be hnoured …not punished.
I hope this happens.
It would be wonderful for Nosey. -for Nosey… who.. stays alive for hope.
Imagine..ifsome of you stand up-
what that would mean?
You would be caring so deeply for someone who needs you more than any other ever has.
ANY other. even family.
Also.. it would maybe..start.. to break down the hate.. and -finally..allow ..for the horrors to end. -at least.. in such a way..where some day it will be law. –
Imagine THAT!
to never be tortured. killed.
just because you are not a human?
who can honestly say humans know what intelligence is?
thing is…why should it matter?
why not learn from and of each other.
not all of us will bond. no species bonds with all species.
but.. -there is a beauty ..and much more to-having many kinds of lives..in this world.
…this world..which also is -like all species-including humans—–
both strong and fragile.
the earth.. is a beautiful place. but in many ways..it is starting to die.
but..while in ways it ..has gone too far.. -in many ways..we all-not just humans–but..all of us-can help..
saying imagine .. -i think of John Lennon, of course…
“You many say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”
…
I only wish that because of all theinformation the FWC had on Nosey.. Liebels 400+ ..citations. and more. and more. –how could it be ALLOWED that it was HIS vet… that exzamined Nosey..to tell whether she should retire or not.
Of course.. she is still there.
In ..pain. Stress.. Alone.. and -so broken.
When will one of you ..or more..
stand up. and see what she is going through.
Is she so unworthy of your caring?
You knew his vet would …do just what he did.
you could have at least had another vet-or HIGH standing..with YEARS od experience in examining and helping elephants.
why?
students?
You ..made it impossible for her.
Do you not see this?
I hope one of you …will remember
why you do what you do.
…I truly hope the bifggest part of your work..is empathy.
You can still stand up.
and ..you would in no way be alone. you’d be too honoured
that no one could touch you.
-they’d only see you as the one who dared to care for Nosey..
and perhaps so many more.
Thank you for bringing these important issues about Nosey to our attention. Anything that brings us closer to securing Nosey’s release is appreciated.
I believe Nosey knows we are fighting for her freedom and I believe that is what keeps her spirit going
I love that you said that Mary. Elephants are such sensitive souls and I get emotional thinking about Nosey. But I’m not afraid to stand up and fight for our elephants.
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I saw Nosey at the Picadilly circus in 2010 I believe in Boone N..C She was giving rides after performing several acts in the main arena. She was walking the small circle and caught my eye,she held my soul and honestly spoke to it and asked for my help. Her eye held my gaze through the whole circle until she was having to turn her head to still be able to see me! Then came the hook,her attention snapped back to her handler and the job she was given to do.I was so sad and upset to the point of crying! I could not stay any longer,we left the circus and I told my kids that We could not support the keeping and using of animals in that way any longer.And I firmly believe she told me all these things when she looked into my soul that night. I will never forget her or give up the fight to have her released to a sanctuary!
Thank you, Tracey, for sharing your family’s story about Nosey. Your story made it all so real for us and we can see that Nosey truly was reaching out to you and your children. It made us all feel that connection you had with our elephant Nosey and keeps us going and working to rescue all elephants like Nosey, including sweet Nosey. It also begs the question of just how the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) can allow the abuse of our elephants to continue. How can those humans sleep at night?
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