August is Make a Will Month, and in honor of Shirley, who defied all odds as one of the oldest elephants in human care and lived well beyond the life expectancy for an Asian elephant, we celebrate our memories of her wisdom, strength, and perseverance. She demonstrated to us all that it is possible to trust, heal, and love again after enduring many decades of hardship.
At the time of her passing in 2021, Shirley was 72 years old and held the record for the second oldest elephant in North America. Born in Sumatra in 1948, Shirley was captured from the wild and sold to a traveling circus. In her lifetime, she survived a circus ship fire, a broken back leg, and more than 20 years without the company of other elephants.
Shirley leaves an enduring legacy marked by a truly remarkable life. With your planned gift, you can support her legacy and help ensure a sustainable future for all of The Sanctuary’s resident elephants and those yet to come.
Click here to learn more about Shirley's Legacy.