Emergency Bridge Fund Request

To our sanctuary heroes: we have a fairly urgent need that we hope you can help us address. You always come through when we ask, so there’s no doubt that you’ll understand how necessary it is to take care of this current issue as soon as possible.

There is a bridge that allows trucks to enter and exit the sanctuary, and it was quite dilapidated when we arrived. After settling in, we replaced the bottom section (which was rotted wood) with steel pipe; it is now nice and strong and can hold plenty of weight. Unfortunately, the top part of the bridge (also made from wood) is now rotted and beginning to fall apart. Last week, a delivery truck caused one of the boards to move, and we had to create a temporary fix for the driver to cross back over to leave. So, clearly this bridge is not going to last much longer.

Our plans are to replace the top with reinforced concrete and our staff will complete the project. If we were to hire contractors, the expenses would be exorbitant. But, as you well know, there is no way to transport an elephant – let alone two – across a broken bridge. If you take a look at the bridge as it stands today, although common in Brazil, it isn’t in a state where we are comfortable utilizing it much longer. The current estimated cost is $3,000. We hope you will once again step in and help us repair this issue so that sanctuary businesses can operate as usual. Thank you so much in advance for your ongoing support of ESB and all of the elephants here and soon to come.

Click here to donate.

(Enjoy the photo of Bambi, the last elephant to be transported across this road.)

Comments(22)

Raven Black says
March 14, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Donated!
Hope it gets repaired soon.
Love to all!
Raven 🐘
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  March 14, 2022 at 4:16 pm
  thanks Raven- and happy belated birthday. 😉 we are trying to schedule when to do it with restriction concrete deliveries (they don’t like to drive on the dirt roads when it’s raining) and needing people to stay off of it. but we already bought the supplies to frame it.
Elke Riesterer says
March 14, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Of course I will make a donation ❣️🐘🐘🐘
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  March 14, 2022 at 4:17 pm
  thank you sweet elke ❤️
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
March 14, 2022 at 4:03 pm
Happy to support this emergency fund for the bridge. Thank you GSE for your dedication and work for the girls.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  March 14, 2022 at 4:14 pm
  thank you.
Andy Ingram says
March 14, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Donated without hesitation so more Eles can cross the bridge to Sanctuary.
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 14, 2022 at 4:31 pm
  Thank you so much!
Rachel says
March 14, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Was going to donate towards the bridge but saw that the sanctuary heroes already came through and busted through the $3K!! What a team – so happy to be part of it. I went ahead and donated items from the wishlist. 💝
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 14, 2022 at 4:41 pm
  What a wonderful thing to do. Thank you!
Julie says
March 14, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Wish I could have given more! Please get it done soon, so those Ellies can come across!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 14, 2022 at 6:29 pm
  Thank you for your gift. It goes a long way. It should be finished soon!
Cintia Abney says
March 14, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Maybe now its time to auction my second quilt?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 14, 2022 at 6:29 pm
  Aren’t you lovely and generous? Save it for another rainy day. There will always be more.
Sandy Crile says
March 14, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Ha! I donated and then saw that you had received more than double your request! So either gold plate the bridge, or use it wherever you see fit! Use a little for watermelons, for sure!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 14, 2022 at 6:28 pm
  THANK YOU! Your donation will go toward the male Asian elephant’s barn retaining wall. So you have still made a significant impact.
Zoi says
March 18, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Donated!, so P&G will be the first ones from many to cross that bridge to paradise.
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 18, 2022 at 2:21 pm
  Thank you so much for your constant support.
Lisa says
March 19, 2022 at 11:01 pm
I made a donation. I wish you a speedy and smooth repair.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  March 20, 2022 at 10:29 am
  thank you. we have the form put together, now we have to wait for the road to the sanctuary to be in good shape for the concrete truck. an agricultural vehicle got stuck on the road and they made a huge mess of it trying to get it out. it’s about 40 minutes from here, but still between us and concrete. 🙁
Anita Janusz says
April 6, 2022 at 9:01 pm
I also donated as soon as I saw the request for needed funds for this crucial maintenance work. Could you share any update how is the work on the bridge progressing? Has anything being done as yet? Your remote location does has a lot of difficulties in getting everything delivered and done. It would be fabulous to know how it is going. THANK YOU for making sure everything is safe and sound over there! xoxoxo
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 7, 2022 at 9:42 am
  It’s been rainy here, and the cement truck can’t make the trip in those conditions. But we currently plan to share some photos soon – hopefully this weekend.

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