Monroe, LA - The Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Monroe resident and long-time friend, Solomon James. Solomon was Asian elephant Shirley’s former caretaker at The Louisiana Purchase Zoo and Gardens in Monroe, Louisiana, where she was the sole elephant resident for 22 years. As Shirley aged, the zoo staff decided she needed more space and the companionship of other elephants. She was transported to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in 1999, accompanied by her primary caretaker Solomon.
Solomon James touched so many hearts around the world in the video of Shirley’s arrival at Sanctuary and again during his visit to reconnect with Shirley on her 70th birthday. Her arrival
was captured by Argo Films and became part of the much-loved documentary, The Urban Elephant, directed by Alison Fargo
Gary Miers, friend and colleague of Solomon, shared his memories of the day that Shirley departed for The Sanctuary: “Solomon was there for everything, by our side, comforting Shirley. He and I gave her a bath the afternoon before she loaded. Solomon and I brought bales of hay to the back of the trailer and made a stairway so she could better step up into the trailer. She was so cooperative and seemingly excited. I will never forget our last hugs, and her ‘smile' when we gave her watermelons. I will miss my friend, a compassionate, spiritual man, always smiling, always caring.”
Solomon returned to The Elephant Sanctuary in 2018 to celebrate Shirley’s 70th birthday. The Sanctuary Staff cherishes the memory of Shirley with eyes shining and trunk outstretched, greeting him. Those who met Solomon during his visit felt incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with him and hear him talk about his love of caring for Shirley for over 20 years.
Shirley passed away peacefully on February 22, 2021, at age 72. Shirley defied all odds as one of the oldest elephants in captivity and lived well beyond the life expectancy for a captive Asian elephant. Shirley was The Sanctuary’s oldest elephant and, at the time of her passing, held the record for the second oldest elephant in North America. To learn more about Shirley and her time at The Sanctuary, visit www.elephants.com/elephants/shirley
Solomon James, whether he intended to or not, became an ambassador for Monroe/West Monroe and a representative of its love for their resident elephant, Shirley. We know that Solomon is as special to the Monroe community as he is to our global community of supporters.
About The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Located on 3,060 acres in Hohenwald, TN, The Sanctuary is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for elephants retired from performance and exhibition. Founded in 1995, The Sanctuary is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and is the only elephant facility that has been dually recognized through accreditation by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and certification by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
For more information about The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, please visit www.elephants.com.