The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is America's largest natural habitat refuge for
#elephants
. Licensed by the USDA and TWRA.
#GFAS
accredited.
#AZA
certified.
After many decades without physical interaction with another elephant, Nosey has now been introduced to Tarra and Sissy over a fence line! Read more about these exciting new social opportunities:
Today is the anniversary of Sissy’s arrival at The Sanctuary! Sissy spent many years on exhibit in Texas, where she survived being submerged underwater during a record flood. She arrived at The Sanctuary on January 26, 2000, and we are so grateful for her 23 years in Tennessee!
The District Court of Lawrence County, Alabama has issued an order in response to Nosey’s custody proceedings on December 15. Custody of Nosey remains in place. We are delighted by this progress toward The Sanctuary becoming Nosey’s lifetime home.
Popsicles are a favorite summertime treat at The Sanctuary! Caregivers make them for the elephants from diluted fruit juice and produce. The Q elephants received watermelon popsicles — customized to each elephant's preference — some with beets and some with sweet potatoes.
Happy 56th birthday, Minnie! Minnie is the only elephant at The Sanctuary with all white hair on her tail. She is the heaviest resident, fluctuating around 11,000 pounds, and is known to be willful and determined. We are honored to provide care for her today and every day!
Elephants at The Sanctuary have the freedom to choose how to spend their time—
#Nosey
has been choosing to spend much of hers in the habitat, exploring the forest and dining on hay and other treats.
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Asian elephant, Shirley, at age 72.
Please join us in celebrating Shirley and her long and courageous life.
Although snow isn’t a frequent occurrence in this part of Middle Tennessee, we were blanketed with about six inches of it this week. The elephants have access to their heated barns, as always, while some may choose to explore outside.
We are excited to announce that Nichole, a female Asian elephant, arrived safely at The Sanctuary from
@SanAntonioZoo
early on Thursday, March 9, officially making her one of 11 elephants now living at The Sanctuary and the 30th elephant resident since The Sanctuary was founded.
70 year old Shirley has recently been traveling to and from the different wallows in Asia Habitat, choosing to spend her time splashing and cooling off on warm spring days. Caregivers frequently find her covered in colorful mud!
Today we honor Asian elephant Billie, who arrived on this day in 2006. Billie is the oldest elephant at The Sanctuary at age 61 and can be recognized by her diamond shaped ears and shorter stature. Happy anniversary, Billie!
At The Sanctuary,
#Nosey
has been given the opportunity to explore her new surroundings at her own pace. Over the past several days, Staff have observed her forage leaves and pine branches and discover how to drink from an automatic waterer whenever she likes.
The Sanctuary celebrated Minnie and Ronnie's 55th birthdays! Care Staff treated the two Asian elephants each to a decorated vegan birthday cake. The cakes were flavored with cinnamon, pumpkin, and applesauce, then topped with a pumpkin puree "frosting" and beets and grapes.
Shirley continues to spend much of her time down at the lake, occasionally making trips up to North Trough too. All of us at The Sanctuary wish you a happy and safe
#LaborDay
!
Today we celebrate Billie’s 59th birthday! Care Staff baked her a vegan cake and placed it in the habitat with a variety of her favorite produce. Billie started by taking one big bite of cake, hay, and bamboo all at once, then gathered up each orange and banana slice one by one.
At Africa Barn, Care Staff celebrating Easter set up an egg hunt for the elephants with “eggs" made out of ice and produce. Enrichment like this encourages the elephants to make use of their habitat space to discover new things (in this case, a frozen treat).
Elephants instinctively exist in a matriarchal society, living together in tight-knit family groups led by the oldest and wisest female. This
#InternationalWomensDay2022
, we celebrate their female leadership and the leadership of all women around the globe!
In the wild, elephants spend their lives with the family herd in which they were born. In captivity, unrelated elephants—like Ronnie and Debbie—can still form close bonds with time and patience. We love watching these relationships and herd dynamics unfold here at The Sanctuary!
Nosey recently spent time at the mud wallow, splashing mud all over before moving to a nearby sand pile to coat herself with a thick layer of sand. Mud and sand act as a sunscreen and bug repellant for elephants. As always, we're delighted to see her exhibit natural behaviors!
We celebrated Flora’s 39th birthday yesterday! She received a heart-shaped wreath crafted from bamboo, rice paper “balloons,” and several grapefruits. Happy birthday to one of The Sanctuary’s most confident, enthusiastic elephants!
Minnie snacks on a “creamsicle" layered with orange slices, freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, and a popsicle stick crafted from donated Bradford pear limb! 🍊
It's been one week since Nosey's arrival at The Sanctuary. Care staff report that
#Nosey
has continued to explore farther reaches of her habitat and has been observed lying down on the heated barn floors at night, a sign that she is more comfortable in her surroundings.
#Nosey
walks through the woods in her habitat. The Sanctuary's Facilities and Care Staff have worked together to make changes in trails and clearings based on Nosey’s preferences for certain areas.
Artie, possibly as a gesture of respect, greeted Nosey by lowering himself onto his elbows. Reciprocating this behavior, Nosey mirrored the action, lowering onto her elbows while both presented their feet. This behavior is a promising indicator of their comfort and camaraderie.
Meet our newest resident at The Sanctuary, Donna! Donna made the journey from Oakland, California, to Hohenwald, Tennessee alongside dedicated
@oakzoo
staff and veterinarian, arriving on September 13.
We look forward to sharing more about Donna's first days at The Sanctuary!
Nosey walks through the woods in the habitat one recent afternoon. Caregivers are happy to report that she has been devouring lots of browse during this leafy season, digging in the mud, and eagerly participating in firehose baths on hot days.
Flora and Sukari found their Easter baskets in the habitat, filled with lettuce, strawberries, carrots, and hay. The Easter Bunny (aka our devoted Care Staff) hand wove the baskets from grapevines donated from a local vineyard — grapevines are a favorite of the African elephants!
Nosey spent yesterday exploring the habitat—along the way, she discovered a pile of donated Christmas trees covered in hay left just for her by The Sanctuary's Caregivers.
Happy 54th birthday, Sissy! Caregivers went all out for this celebration — there were brightly colored feed bag “presents" stuffed with hay, bamboo, and Mazuri and surrounded by watermelon, grapes, bananas, and sweet potatoes, along with a decorated hay ball centerpiece!
Ronnie and Debbie reunited yesterday after choosing to spend a few days exploring on their own! Our EleCams caught the pair being very tactile with each other and exhibiting playful, excited behaviors before traveling to the fence line to greet Minnie too.
Happy 53rd birthday, Sissy! Known for being expressive, she pops her trunk when she sees other elephants or Care Staff. Despite having a partially paralyzed trunk, Sissy is able to feed and water herself and can even crimp the hose to stop water flow. She inspires us every day!
We wanted to share some of our memories of Jana dusting under the fall sun and grazing with Nosey, and we thank you all for the heartfelt condolences. Since Jana’s passing, Nosey and Sissy have also been spending time grazing together as they so often choose to do.
Happy
#EarthDay
! The Elephant Sanctuary celebrates our earth and the diverse species that inhabit it by participating in Party for the Planet, a month of activities dedicated to reminding us of the role we have in protecting nature and sustaining the future.
African elephant Flora is turning 40 tomorrow! We created a human-friendly version of her vegan birthday cake recipe to share with you. Give to Feed an Elephant this month in honor of Flora, and receive digital access to this special edition recipe card!
Today is
#WorldWildlifeDay
, an opportunity to celebrate the many unique forms of wildlife here on earth. We’re celebrating Flora, because today is also her 40th birthday!
Ronnie is here to remind you that elephant trunks have “fingers”! Asian elephants have one appendage at the tip of their trunk, while African elephants have two. This finger has remarkable dexterity and is used to scoop or grab food and other small objects.
In an effort to reduce food waste, global food distribution company Sysco delivered 28 pallets of un-purchased restaurant-grade produce to feed The Sanctuary's elephants.
All three elephants at Africa have been eating the trees donated through our annual Christmas Tree Drive—and all seem to be enjoying them, typically devouring the entire tree! Caregivers report that the trees have been the first item they seek out each day.
Nosey continues to inspire Care Staff each day with her enthusiasm for the world around her! Most mornings when they arrive, she greets them by running around between the barn and her enrichment items, all while rumbling excitedly.
Luckily there has been no shortage of Bradford pear browse this spring, because it seems to be one of Nosey's favorites! Caregivers gather it from both the community and Sanctuary grounds, and she has been devouring all of it that is given to her.
Dreary weather might not be ideal for humans, but fortunately, rain makes mud that keeps the elephants busy! Flora spent time splashing, digging, and coating herself in the mud, while Sukari and Tange traveled together to another nearby wallow to do some digging themselves.
We are thrilled to announce that Lawrence County, Alabama has transferred permanent custody of African elephant Nosey to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee!
Read more about Nosey’s incredible strides at The Sanctuary and plans for the future:
Happy 49th birthday to Tange! Caregivers decorated with a “49” made of bamboo, oranges, apples, pears, and a vegan cake topped with coconut. She dined on the bamboo first, then the produce, and saved the best for last, scooping the cake up once all of the fruit was gone.
All nine elephants were treated to handmade grapevine wreaths garnished with fresh greens, sumac, raffia grass bows, and pinecones for a decorative yet edible look — the habitats have never looked so festive. We hope everyone has a merry Christmas and wonderful holiday season!
It may not look like it quite yet, but fall is here and the weather has been beautiful in Tennessee! Flora has been spending the recent cooler days exploring the East Valley of Africa Habitat.
The much-anticipated court hearing regarding Nosey's future was held yesterday in Lawrence County, AL. The judge said she would review all notes and documents and a written decision will be forthcoming. Until a final decision has been reached, Nosey will remain at The Sanctuary.
We have more good news to share today!
@oakzoo
announced that they will be moving African elephant Donna to The Sanctuary this summer. We look forward to welcoming her to the herd — what an incredible time of growth at The Elephant Sanctuary!
As many of you know, Lisa, one of our African elephants, passed away last month from age-related health issues. And some of you have asked us what will happen with Donna, Lisa’s life-long best friend and companion, since she is now our only female elephant. For now, we have been
Happy 44th birthday, Tarra! Tarra was The Sanctuary's very first resident and has spent over half her life here. She can be distinguished by her dark skin, "barking" vocalizations, and intense curiosity for everything around her.
Read more:
Happy 46th birthday to The Sanctuary’s first resident, Tarra! Tarra is known as a curious elephant, always showing interest in what is happening around her. She journeys many miles throughout Asia Habitat, often collecting sticks during her travels.
It’s Elephant Appreciation Day, and what better way to show appreciation for our residents than with a spa day?! Nosey received frequent fire hose baths this summer, relaxing on her side as Caregivers sprayed her belly and rolling in the mud to make sure all sides were covered.
Sissy and Nosey are often seen interacting over the fence with sweet touches, rumbles, and excited pops. Recently, Sissy seemed to be extra energetic, prompting Nosey to run up and down the hill, sparring with hanging logs while trumpeting and then running back to see Sissy.
Edie arrived one week ago today! Check out this glimpse into her first moments out in the habitat last Friday, when she made her way out to explore, taking in the sights and sounds of her new surroundings.
Minnie and Ronnie have been spending time away from the barn lately, exploring together in the far reaches of the habitat. Caregivers recently treated both girls to watermelons—which Ronnie smashed into pieces before eating, while Minnie ate the entire thing in one single bite!
Once again, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Sanctuary supporters during our Year End Campaign. Over 7,700 households and organizations contributed $1,244,586 toward the lifetime care of retired elephants! THANK YOU.
For her birthday on Tuesday, Tarra received a special strawberry cake, surrounded by bamboo, apples, carrots, and watermelon as well as hay-stuffed tires.
We are so excited to announce the safe arrival of African elephant Jana! She made the short journey on Monday from
@zooknoxville
to Hohenwald and was greeted at The Sanctuary with fresh-cut produce and other favorite foods. Read more:
Nosey came to The Elephant Sanctuary on November 9, 2017. As always, an arrival anniversary calls for a celebration! Caregivers elaborately decorated tires filled with hay and placed a cake made of watermelon and pumpkin on top.
In recent weeks, Shirley has been journeying back and forth between shady spots and mud wallows, showing no signs of ending this trend any time soon! Tarra routinely stops to visit her during her own travels, when the two take a break from exploring to graze under the trees.
We would like to thank all of you for supporting and sustaining our mission this year — to care and prepare for elephants in Tennessee and to advocate for elephants worldwide.
We look forward to celebrating 25 years of Sanctuary in 2020. Happy New Year!
Nosey emerges from the woods while reaching for a tree branch, an elephant behavior called browsing. Care Staff remember that on arrival, Nosey only chose small twigs to chew on, so it is exciting to see her growing in confidence and exhibiting these natural behaviors each day.
In case you missed it, Donna is officially here! We were thrilled to welcome her as The Sanctuary’s 32nd resident last week. Read more about her arrival in our latest EleNote:
Happy
#InternationalWomensDay
! In the wild, female
#elephants
spend their entire lives with the herd in which they were born, an extended family unit stretching many generations and headed by a matriarch. Pictured: Minnie and Ronnie
Love is in the air at The Sanctuary! The elephants at Africa Barn received heart-shaped watermelon popsicles with grapes, hay, and vegan cupcakes. Flora seemed to love the watermelon part, but the sticks not so much — she pulled the sticks out of her mouth and tossed them aside.
Pumpkins are a favorite snack of the elephants! As Shirley reached for this pumpkin, it rolled away, floating into the pond. Of course, the story has a happy ending—Caregivers retrieved it from the water shortly after and Shirley dined on her fall treat back at the barn.
Nosey has been spending a lot of time playing with the culvert pipe in her habitat. Caregivers often stand it on end, and as soon as she sees it, she pushes it down and chases it as it rolls away.
Shirley has been taking advantage of the cooler temperatures at night to traverse the habitat even more than she already had been! Caregivers use footprints, dung, and environmental clues such as felled trees and broken limbs to track where the elephants venture overnight.
Happy National
#ElephantAppreciationDay
! It’s an honor to care for the 11 incredible elephants who call The Sanctuary home and to work every day to create a better world for elephants in the wild.