Clara's Voice - Sanctuary

An elephant who has been held captive in a zoo or circus setting can never be returned to the wild. Most have been in captivity for years, even decades, and many were born into this life.

Those who care about the fates of these beautiful animals can only work to have them transferred to a genuine sanctuary. It is hoped that these elephants, who have for so long endured confinement, neglect, and/or abuse, can at the very least finish out their lives in as natural and wild a setting as possible.

Sanctuary

Because reintroduction into the wild is not yet possible, relocation to sanctuaries is the only suitable option for captive elephants. There are two sanctuaries in the United States that offer exceptional homes for elephants:

The Performing Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, in Northern California and The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Both sanctuaries provide a generous environment similar to an elephant’s natural habitat in which they can roam, forage and bond with other elephants.

PAWS offers approximately 100 acres of natural vegetation, a heated barn, numerous streams, creeks, a pond, and even a heated exercise pool.

The Elephant Sanctuary offers approximately 2,700 acres of natural vegetation, a heated barn, and a 25-acre spring fed lake.

With much higher standards of care than American Zoo Association (AZA) accredited facilities, both sanctuaries prohibit any type of punishment, chaining, or dominance, and allow the elephants to express free choice – a liberty they are never allowed in captivity.