The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, founded in 1995, is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for African and Asian elephants. Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), The Sanctuary operates on 2,700 acres in Hohenwald, TN – 85 miles southwest of Nashville. 

The Sanctuary exists for two reasons: 

• Provide captive elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their wellbeing. 
  
• Raise public awareness of the complex needs of elephants in captivity, and the crisis facing elephants in the wild.

The Elephant Sanctuary is a true sanctuary - a place of retirement for elephants. 

• You can observe the elephants anytime you like from the comfort of your own home via our live-streaming EleCams.
  
• The needs of the elephants have always been and will always be our top priority. 
  
• The elephant habitats are not open to visitors. 
  
• The Elephant Discovery Center in downtown Hohenwald, TN is open to the public, and staff can arrange a presentation for group/s to learn more about the work of The Sanctuary. 
  
• Expansion of education activities and interactive displays are under construction for The Elephant Discovery Center on Main Street in Hohenwald. 

• Female elephants in captivity in the United States far outnumber males. 

• Male elephants in captivity have very different needs and requirements for their individualized care.

• Elephant herds are extended family units comprised of females and headed by a matriarch – an older female. When a male elephant reaches maturity, he leaves the herd. 

• The Sanctuary has provided for one male, Ned. All decisions regarding new elephants are made on a case by case basis. 

• The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Sanctuary in California does provide a facility for male elephants.

• The organization does not support increasing the number of captive elephants. 

• There is no assurance elephants born in captivity will ever be released in the wild.

• The climate of Middle TN is mild for most of the year. 

• Seasonal variations offer a range of vegetation for foraging and enrichment.

• The elephants at The Sanctuary all have free-choice year round access to expansive habitats and heated barns.

• The Elephant Sanctuary is one of two sanctuaries for elephants in North America accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

• The Elephant Sanctuary does not condone free contact management or dominance training of elephants and takes a stand against the use of the ankus (bullhook). 

• The Elephant Sanctuary does not support the use of elephants in entertainment. 

• Elephants are wild animals with complex physical and social needs not supported by the training, performing, confinement and travel demanded of elephants in entertainment. (Reference: Carol Bradley, Last Chain on Billie: How One Extraordinary Elephant Escaped the Big Top)

• Many of the resident elephants have come here as the result of collaboration between the elephant’s owners and The Sanctuary, and each is remarkable and unique. Retirement of an elephant from exhibit and/or performing is the decision of the legal owner. 

• September 24, 2015, Hadari, African age 33, became the 25th elephant to come to The Sanctuary. She was retired from exhibition by her owner and the Nashville Zoo where she lived for 20 years.
  
• November 6, 2015,  Sukari, African age 31,and Rosie, African age 44, joined Hadari at The Sanctuary at the request of the Nashville Zoo.

• The Sanctuary stands ready to discuss the option of a sanctuary retirement and its benefits with owners and guardians of elephants living in captivity. 

• In serious situations where the owner fails to comply with the Animal Welfare Act,  Elephants may be confiscated by authority of United States Department of Agriculture.
  
• November 22, 2003, Delhi, Asian female, was confiscated from the Hawthorn Corporation for failure to comply with the Animal Welfare Act. Delhi was placed with The Elephant Sanctuary under USDA authority. Delhi was the first elephant confiscated in America.
  
• November 8, 2008, Ned, Asian male, was confiscated from a circus trainer by the USDA for failure to comply with the Animal Welfare Act and was placed by USDA authority with The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
  

• The Sanctuary's Distance Learning program provides live webinars for classrooms all over the world. The program utilizes staff led two-way conversation, photos, videos, and live-streaming footage from the elephants' habitats. 

• The Elephant Discovery Center in located in downtown Hohenwald. With advance notice, The Sanctuary is happy to facilitate a program for groups of any age.

• The Elephant Discovery Center is undergoing a planned expansion. It is being designed by Howard+Revis, museum exhibit designers from Washington, DC. 

• The expansion will include interactive multi-media exhibits, a theater, an outdoor classroom, and regularly scheduled programming about elephants, the purpose of Sanctuary, and conservation efforts in the wild. 

• Outdoor exhibit and classroom will open summer 2017.

Many people in the animal care and conservation field have degrees in zoology, biology, wildlife conservation, and wildlife management. The Sanctuary's Care Staff recommends getting volunteer and internship experience during college. Often, local wildlife rescue organizations are a great place to start. These experiences not only help you decide your specific areas of interest but can also help new graduates get jobs in their desired area of work. Internships are often advertised on organization websites such as Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) www.sanctuaryfederation.org and Association of Zoos and Aquarium www.aza.org. Many universities also offer Study Abroad programs, which allow students to receive college credit while studying in range countries.