The Elephant Sanctuary: Three Decades of Providing a Safe Haven for Retired Elephants

Hadisur Rahman, Jadetimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering USA

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Image Source: Angele Latham

As Nashville continues its rapid expansion, a sanctuary just an hour outside the city has been growing wild and thriving for the past 30 years. The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of rescuing former circus and zoo elephants and offering them a peaceful retirement in a natural habitat.

A Safe Haven for Elephants

Established in 1995 with just one rescued elephant, Tarra, on 110 acres of land, The Elephant Sanctuary has since expanded into the nation’s largest natural habitat refuge for elephants. Now covering 3,060 acres, the facility provides a tranquil and enriching environment for 12 retired African and Asian elephants. The sanctuary also operates an educational center, where the public can learn about elephant conservation and welfare.

Janice Zeitlin, CEO of the sanctuary since 2013, expressed deep gratitude for reaching this milestone. “We’re sharing this world with some truly beautiful and intelligent creatures,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to protect them and ensure they have a safe, respectful place to live.”

Stories of Resilience and Triumph

The sanctuary has been home to 34 elephants over the years, each with a unique and often heartbreaking history. Some have come from zoos, others from private owners, and even Hollywood productions. One of its most famous residents, Shirley, epitomized resilience. Born in Sumatra in 1948, Shirley endured a lifetime of hardships, including being kidnapped by Cuban forces, surviving a shipwreck, and spending 20 years alone in a small Louisiana zoo before retiring to the sanctuary.

She passed away in 2021 at the age of 72, making her the second-oldest elephant in North America.

“Shirley was truly special,” Zeitlin recalled. “She was incredibly intelligent and independent. Her journey is what this sanctuary is all about providing a dignified and safe home for elephants in need.”

Expanding Global Impact

Beyond its work in Tennessee, The Elephant Sanctuary is increasingly involved in global conservation efforts. The organization provides annual grants to support elephant welfare initiatives worldwide. Recent projects include funding the retirement of elephants used for tourist rides in Vietnam and supporting research in India to mitigate human-elephant conflict.

“We want to create a better world for elephants, no matter where they are,” Zeitlin said. “Through partnerships and advocacy, we are striving to protect these magnificent animals in both human care and the wild.”

As The Elephant Sanctuary looks to the future, its mission remains steadfast: to offer sanctuary, promote education, and contribute to global efforts in elephant conservation. With continued support, it hopes to ensure that more elephants receive the dignity and freedom they deserve in their later years.