The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee exists to – provide captive elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being – educate the public of the complex needs of elephants in captivity and the crisis facing elephants in the wild. The elephants' habitats are closed to the public.

The Sanctuary is currently home to 11 elephants retired from zoos and circuses, many of whom suffer long-term health and behavioral issues common to elephants that have spent their lives in captivity. The Sanctuary employs a fully integrated team of veterinarians and caregivers who provide high-quality care by using positive reinforcement and protected contact to safely meet the needs of each elephant in our care.



The Sanctuary is licensed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).