As we approach the new year, we take time to look back on 2016 to assess growth and accomplishments and finalize plans for 2017.
Sometimes we surprise ourselves when we look back. Was it just a year ago that we announced the arrival of three new elephants to The Elephant Sanctuary? Hadari, Sukari and Rosie were retired by their owner(s) and the Nashville Zoo in 2015, after many years spent on exhibition in parks and zoos in Florida, Mississippi, Virginia and Tennessee. It has been a joy to watch them form bonds with new companions Flora and Tange, and we’ve shared in the excitement of all the elephants at the introduction to their newly expanded African habitat.
Along with these successes, we celebrate several other important milestones. Arriving in 1995, Tarra, our founding elephant, has now spent half her life—21 years—at The Sanctuary. Tarra has formed close bonds with Shirley, Winkie, and Sissy; they have all been together for over 15 years. These elephants and the Asian elephants living in the Q habitat—Minnie, Ronnie, Debbie and Billie—are all provided Home, Herd, Rest, Refuge and Individualized Care for Life. This is our mission, and we work to make this available to all elephants retired from performance and exhibition. The freedom of choice about decisions that affect them—when, where, and with whom to graze, when to submerge in a pond or enter the woods, and how long to remain—these are all decisions that may seem simple, but are new and vital to the well-being of each individual elephant. This freedom of choice and the hundreds of acres of natural habitat improve not only their physical health, but also their social, behavioral and psychological well-being.
As another year comes to a close, we thank our staff, board, volunteers and many, many supporters for making this all possible! Because of your generosity, these intelligent and magnificent beings have the opportunity to experience, once again, what it is to be an elephant among other elephants in a natural habitat dedicated to them. As 2016 closes, we celebrate and honor the 27 elephants who have found refuge here and pledge to continue the work to make way for those to come.
From our family to yours, Happy New Year! Enjoy this special video for a look into The Sanctuary.
Your Tax-Deductible Donation Can Change the Lives of Elephants
With your support and donation to The Elephant Sanctuary through Crowdrise’s Holiday Charity Challenge, we have a chance to win a Grand Prize of $100,000 (1st Place) or $50,000 (2nd Place) to help provide Home, Herd, and Individualized Care to The Sanctuary’s 13 resident elephants and those yet to come.
All Tax-Deductible Gifts Must Be Made Before Midnight, December 31! The first 200 gifts made through Crowdrise today will be matched with $25. Turn your $25 donation into $50; your $50 into $75; or your $75 into $100 for the elephants!
Donate Now!
To the 2,000+ supporters who have already supported this campaign, Thank You! Your gifts through CrowdRise make it possible for elephants to explore an expansive habitat and experience the companionship of a herd.