Elephants are the world’s largest land animal, which means that have big appetites. In fact, elephants can consume approximately 150 pounds of fruits, vegetables, grain and plant material each day, including Christmas trees, which contain nutrient-rich resin.
December 26 through January 2, Middle Tennessee residents are invited to donate their Christmas trees to the elephants at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Because the elephant’s habitats are not open for public visitation, Caregivers will deliver the donated trees to the habitats to provide enrichment and supplement the elephants’ decreased foraging opportunities during the winter months.
“The purpose of this program is to not only provide the elephants with more variety to their diet but to also allow the public to donate and connect to the elephants,” said Lead Caregiver Kristy E., who helped to spearhead the program.
Last year, individual and corporate supporters across Middle Tennessee and North Alabama traveled to The Sanctuary’s Elephant Discovery Center to drop off their used trees and learn more about the elephants in residence. Since last year, The Sanctuary has completed construction of an open-air learning space. This year, visitors to The Discovery Center are invited to explore the hands-on, self-guided exhibits, which teach about the differences between the two elephant species and the ecological role elephants play in the wild.
Donated trees may be brought to The Elephant Sanctuary’s Elephant Discovery Center in downtown Hohenwald where there will be a designated drop-off location. The Sanctuary requests no more than five trees per household. Tinsel and decorations must be removed from Christmas trees prior to donation. to The Elephant Sanctuary’s Elephant Discovery Center in downtown Hohenwald to a designated drop off location. Please call 931-796-6500 with questions.
