A CRUELTY FREE MOVEMENT

ELEPHANT CARE UNCHAINED IS A 501(c)3 NON-PROFIT organization* dedicated to eliminating cruelty and improving elephant welfare in their native countries

*EIN: 81-3464518

Meet Our Founder, Steve Koyle

Stephen Koyle has spent more than 30 years caring for animals. He has spent the last 24 years specializing in elephant care. Throughout his career Steve has traveled around the world inspiring future elephant keepers, zoo teens, animal rights activists and zoo board members. His passion and work ethic have driven him to form ELEPHANT CARE UNCHAINED.

In May of 1999, Steve earned a degree in Zoology from Michigan State University. Early in 2000, Steve began working at the Wildlife Waystation in Los Angeles CA. There he cared for numerous exotic animals including Chimpanzees, Lions and Tigers. In March of 2002, Steve began working as an elephant keeper at the Phoenix Zoo. It was at the Phoenix Zoo that he began honing his skills as an elephant keeper. In Nov. 2004 while working at the Phoenix Zoo Steve attended European Elephant Management School in Hamburg, Germany. In Feb 2011, Steve attended AZA's Principals of Elephant Management. He was an instructor for elephant care workshops at the Phoenix Zoo in 2007,2008,2009, 2011,2013,2015. Steve has become an expert and very well respected for his knowledge of target training using positive reinforcement, designing facilities that support elephant health and specializing in proper elephant foot-care.

Steve’s original conception of ELEPHANT CARE UNCHAINED was born in early 2013 when he made his first trip to India as a skilled volunteer with Wildlife SOS. Wildlife SOS is an organization that rescues all native Indian wildlife including elephants. It was there that he learned about the cruel treatment of elephants in their native countries. The brutality that elephants endure on a daily basis was something Steve felt compelled to address. It was after this eye opening experience Steve decided to commit his life to improving elephants lives globally. This led to the establishment of ELEPHANT CARE UNCHAINED, a 501c3 organization dedicated to eliminating cruelty and improving elephant welfare in their native countries.

"It's emotionally draining to be out here fighting for elephants. To see people beating and neglecting them makes most days very hard. But then I trim an elephant's feet for the first time in years, or I see a handler finally 'get it' and start using positive reinforcement, and I remember why I'm doing this. These elephants deserve better. They deserve to be unchained."
— Steve Koyle

Board of Directors:

Steve Koyle, Founder, CEO, and President— Based out of Chandler, Arizona
Linda Yoss, Vice President and Treasurer
Kaylee Barton, Secretary
Corena Barr, Board Member
Karen Logan, Board Member
Special Thanks to our mentor Alan Roocroft of Elephant Business Inc.

Abuse

Elephants are often abused by their caretakers who lack the training to control their behavior humanely

We Provide Tools for better care

With the proper tools, elephants receive the care they need while keeping both the caretakers & elephants safe

Target Training

Elephants are incredibly smart & can be trained using targets allowing caretakers to move the elephant as needed

Complete Care

We are trained to care for elephants well-being including; facility design, target training, specialized foot care, and much more.

We provide a more comfortable habitat

Elephants in chains are often confined to concrete slabs with no way to lay down to rest. We train caretakers how to provide a more comfortable habitat for the elephants in their care.

elephant care Unchained around the world

FREEDOM

(MOCHANaN)

by Mahout Guruvayur Kirshnankutty

Never in my life I shall love a man

for my existence means captivity and sadness

My memories tell me of the forests

They are far away

My crying is silent

A sea of sadness and the fire of anger are within me

In my thoughts, revenge is like burning lava

Yet, to break my chains will forever remain a dream

I long for the forests