#ShirleyTurns70 on July 6th! Join the celebration.

Leading up to the big day, we’re asking Shirley fans all over the world to post their personal birthday wishes to Shirley on social media using the hashtag #ShirleyTurns70.

Shirley has a remarkable life story

Born in Sumatra in 1948, Shirley was captured from the wild and sold to a traveling circus. As a performing elephant, she survived a ship fire, an overturned transport trailer, and a broken back leg that was never set properly. Shirley retired to The Elephant Sanctuary in 1999 after spending 24 years in the circus and another 22 years as the sole elephant on exhibition at the Louisiana Purchase Zoo Gardens and Zoo. Now almost 70, Shirley continues to shine at The Elephant Sanctuary. Individualized care from a professional team of Veterinarians and Caregivers has allowed Shirley to age gracefully in a natural habitat setting and make choices about her daily life. Read more about Shirley at www.elephants.com/elephants/shirley.