JOIN THE HERD — THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY OF TENNESSEE

By William Harwood

It’s a warm, summer day in Hohenwald, Tennessee, and Flora, age 40, stands under the shade of a tree enjoying her favorite food: watermelon. Since it is watermelon season, the scene would be unremarkable except for the fact that Flora stands eight feet six inches and is an African elephant. Born in the wild, orphaned at two, and raised in an American circus, Flora has found her forever home in the hills, fields, and forests of a very special place, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Here, for the first time in her life, Flora has the freedom of choice, deciding for herself what she wants to do and when she wants to do it. Further, unlike in her circus days, she is no longer alone. Three other African elephants, Nosey, Sukari, and Tange, share the vast, protected enclosures with her. Tange, in particular, has become Flora’s pachyderm pal, the two often expressing affection by entwining trunks and caressing.

FLORA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

ABOUT FLORA

BORN: 1982 BIRTHPLACE: Zimbabwe RETIRED: 2004 HEIGHT: 8’ 6” FAVORITE FOOD: Watermelon

The sight of two elephants displaying tenderness for each other encapsulates the primary mission of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) accredited Elephant Sanctuary: to ensure not just the physical well-being of these highly intelligent and social creatures but provide the conditions for their emotional needs as well. Each animal receives individualized care from a dedicated staff of expert veterinarians and trained volunteers, but not even the best care in the world can provide the critical companionship that elephants derive from being a part of a herd. Only other elephants can do that. For this reason, The Elephant Sanctuary is a true sanctuary and closed to the public. The four African and five Asian elephants who live on these 3,060 acres replete with heated barns, solar water pumps, spring-fed lakes, and three separate habitats do so without the distractions of crowds and the noise of tour buses. These small herds are safe and free to roam the varied landscape as they wish giving them the freedom they deserve.

RONNIE & MINNIE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

SUKARI AND TANGE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

ABOUT SUKARI

BORN: 1984 BIRTHPLACE: Zimbabwe RETIRED: 2015 HEIGHT: 8’ 4” FAVORITE FOOD: Apple-flavored horse treats, bananas

The Elephant Sanctuary’s mission doesn’t stop with providing for the elephants. The second part of the mission is increasing public knowledge. For this, there is the wonderful Elephant Discovery Center, an education destination for all things elephant in downtown Hohenwald. Here, visitors can learn about elephants' complex role in their ecosystems and about their conversation and care through engaging, self-guided exhibits like the training wall and the elephant vocalization podiums as hands-on activities.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

MINNIE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

ABOUT MINNIE

BORN: 1966 BIRTHPLACE: Asia RETIRED: 2006 HEIGHT: 8’ 3” FAVORITE FOOD: Mazuri

Even though it is a true sanctuary, anyone can view the sanctuary’s current nine residents on the EleCam, a system of solar-powered cameras that locate and monitor the elephants and provide an ideal opportunity for distance learning while maintaining the elephants’ need for tranquility. These EleCams allow for distance learning and for The Elephant Sanctuary to make an impact far beyond Middle Tennessee. “In 2021 the education team was able to reach more than 14,000 people and did more than 300 programs to reach students and adults in more than 35 states and 10 countries,” says Laura Roddy, Education Manager. “The education team is leading programs daily on different online platforms.”

But, of course, the stars of the show are the elephants themselves, even if only seen on a screen. “My favorite thing about The Elephant Sanctuary is how unique each elephant is as an individual,” Roddy says. “Some of them will choose to be social. Some will spend their days pushing down trees. Some are out swimming in the ponds and lakes provided for them. I encourage everyone to visit elephants.com and look at the different biographies to get to know the elephants because they all are so special.”

Chuck Graves, a volunteer at the Sanctuary since 2013, would no doubt agree. “I have always had an affinity for elephants,” he says, “and have been aware of The Sanctuary since its founding in 1995.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

TANGE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

ABOUT TANGE

BORN: 1973 BIRTHPLACE: Africa RETIRED: 2004 HEIGHT: 8’ 5” FAVORITE FOOD: Hay

As for the volunteering itself, Graves explains there are two types. “Work at the Discovery Center or on The Sanctuary grounds themselves. I have cleared fences, pulled weeds, cut bamboo, and painted barns. This work frees up the caregivers to focus on the elephants themselves.”

The other type of volunteering is to become an EleAmbassador, a nationwide network of volunteers trained by The Sanctuary to represent the elephants in their local communities. Graves is one as well. “As part of my EleAmbassador work, I have manned booths at local events and helped children make enrichment items for the elephants like hay-filled, elephant burritos.”

DEBBIE & RONIE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

ABOUT DEBBIE

BORN: 1971 BIRTHPLACE: Asia RETIRED: 2006 HEIGHT: 8’ 5” FAVORITE FOOD: Hay

ABOUT RONNIE

BORN: 1966 BIRTHPLACE: Asia RETIRED: 2006 HEIGHT: 7’ 7” FAVORITE FOOD: Cantelope

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE

In 2001, Loran Dosen had a feeding encounter with an elephant at a North African zoo that made her question the needs and care of elephants in zoos and circuses. “I started to learn more about the vital role of elephants in their natural habitat as a keystone species, the conservation challenges they face in the wild, and organizations working to protect them worldwide,” she said. After moving to Franklin, Dosen became a volunteer to share her respect and hope for the species existing both in the wild and in captivity. She has been volunteering at The Sanctuary for three years and is also an EleAmbassador, where she offers presentations to groups to share her passion and help educate people about elephants. Dosen explained, “The Elephant Sanctuary was the perfect place for me to actively participate in expressing appreciation for these extraordinary largest living land animals, promoting awareness of their vital role as a keystone species, and ensuring hope for the safety and longevity of the species.” n

The Elephant Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is accredited by The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Since 1995, The Sanctuary has provided a safe haven for 28 elephants who were retired from zoos and circuses. What began on just 110 acres, now covers more than 3,000 acres allowing these compassionate creatures to roam freely in a natural habitat for the remainder of their lives.