People who know about such things tell me that an elephant is a very adaptable animal. Their brain is quite large, they are strong, agile, great swimmers, reasonably fast, and they have that trunk that can pick up an object no bigger than a peanut. They can also pick up a large log and always seem to grasp it at the balance point. Because of their size, they can stand a wide range of temperatures and are adapted to live in jungles, deserts, or grasslands.

In captivity, elephants sometimes have a hard life. They don't get to roam around like wild elephants.

You've heard of a bird sanctuary. Or maybe a wildlife sanctuary. But how about an elephant sanctuary? Africa? No. Asia? No. North America? Yes.

It's near Hohenwald, Tennessee.. It's a place where abused, homeless, and maybe just retired captive elephants can go and live out their days in a peaceful environment not very different from their natural habitat. With hundreds of acres of fields and woods, there is plenty of room to roam. The elephants are not on display. Few visitors are allowed. After all, it's a sanctuary.

I read about this unique place in a little magazine called "The Tennessee Magazine." It's a member magazine for an electric co-op in Middle Tennessee.

The sanctuary is non-profit and operates on donations only. There are no state or federal funds for elephant sanctuaries. Operating costs include about $1000 per month for each elephant, I have not yet located their web site, but the mailing address is The Elephant Santuary, P.O. Box 393, Hohenwald, TN 38462.
Howard