The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee was founded in 1995, and has become the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically to meet the needs of endangered elephants. The Sanctuary is a non-profit organization, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and is designed specifically for old, sick or needy elephants who have been retired
from zoos and circuses.
Utilizing more than 2700 acres, the Sanctuary provides three separate and protected, natural-habitat environments for Asian and African elephants. Its residents are not required to perform or entertain for the public; instead, they are encouraged to live like elephants.
Hohenwald, Tennessee was chosen for the location of this sanctuary due to its unique sub-tropical climate, which resembles that of Asia where many of its elephants were born in the wild. Since the elephants are free to roam vast acres and eat live vegetation, the milder climate and extended growing season in this region provides a more natural setting for them to thrive.
Although The Elephant Sanctuary is not open to the public, it employs 29 local Lewis Countians, and attracts a number of out-of-county volunteers who stay overnight and dine locally.
The Elephant Sanctuary Welcome Center is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm; every second Saturday of the month from 11 am to 4 pm; other times are available by appointment. The Welcome Center is located at 27 E. Main St., in downtown Hohenwald. The Center contains educational exhibits with monitors to watch the elephants live via remote cameras in the habitat, a gift shop and offices. To find out more, visit http://www.elephants.com.
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