The Kerulos Center is a legally incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established on December 30, 2008, and located in southern Oregon, USA. Through science, spirit, and service, we translate knowledge of animals as fully sentient beings into animal care, conservation, and human cultural transformation.
The Kerulos vision is a world where animals and their societies live in dignity and freedom. Our programs and projects focus in three areas:
- Healing—animal trauma recovery
- Respect—wildlife self-determination
- Renewal—ethical living with nonhuman Nature
Our Mission
To translate knowledge of animals as fully sentient beings into animal care, conservation, policy, and human-nature relationships.
Our Name and Logo
Kerulos is the classical Greek word for kingfisher and the brilliant cerulean blue of their feathers. It conveys that word and bird are one.
The snake encircling the kingfisher, the ouroboros, represents transformation and healing. Together, they symbolize humanity's union and reconciliation with other animals as sentient beings.
How We Began
Kerulos was inspired by the work of Executive Director and founder, Gay Bradshaw, whose research "discovered" human-caused Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in free-ranging elephants. Although animal mental suffering had been documented by animal model research, her discovery of elephant PTSD transformed the topic from one of scientific curiosity to one of social justice.
Featured in preeminent scientific journals (Nature, American Scientist) and other media (New York Times Magazine cover story, An Elephant Crackup? (html/pdf); ABC's 20/20), this trauma-based work brought international attention to the dire condition of wildlife, specifically, the psychological, social and emotional impacts on animal societies caused by modern human violence. These insights seeded a new field, trans-species psychology, a "science of sentience" grounded in the concept of oneness with nature.[1] Trans-species psychology has been articulated in Dr. Bradshaw's publication of Elephants on the Edge: What Animal Teach Us About Humanity (Yale University Press, 2009). Its selection by Scientific American as a Favorite Science Book of 2009 reflects profound scientific and cultural shifts taking place this century.
The Kerulos Center was established to facilitate this change and to revitalize indigene human and animal societies.
Our Values
Animals Talk, We Listen—Our work is shaped by animal needs and cultures.[1]
Interbeing—Humans and other nature are interconnected.
Truth—Animals comprise nations and communities imbued with unique values, culture, and the right to self-determination.
Reconciliation—Wellbeing and peace require restoring respect and compassion among humans and other nature.
Ethical Integrity—We are committed to acting ethically in all aspects of our work.
Our People
The Kerulos Center's Faculty, Board, Advisors, and Interns bring together a diverse, dedicated community of creative professionals and animals. We are unified in a common purpose: a peaceful and compassionate co-existence with other animals and a commitment to act with integrity and respect. Through website, projects, publications, and services, we serve as an active networking organization that bridges the academic community with animal advocacy and the public to serve our planet..
1. We take inspiration from Sioux scholar Vine Deloria Jr.'s seminal work, We Talk, You Listen.
photo credits
"Charlie Russell and Biscuit", courtesy Charlie Russell
"Ann Southcombe works to help Lenny the lynx in his recovery", courtesy Ann Southcombe
© 2013 Kerulos Center All rights reserved
"Science in service to animals"
