Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Amazing Large Animal Sanctuaries Around The World

The Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary

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Photo credit: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

In 1995, the Elephant Sanctuary was created from 110 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Its first resident was Tarra, a former performing elephant. A year later, she was joined by ex-circus elephant Barbara. Since then, the sanctuary has grown to 2,700 acres but has always maintained its mission of saving animals abused by circuses and zoos. It’s one of North America’s largest natural habitat refuges for captive elephants.

Unfortunately, this is one sanctuary where you can’t visit the residents – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t donate. After leading their lives in the spotlight, these circus and zoo elephants have finally retired to a peaceful existence away from the public eye. There’s still an Elephant Discovery Center which boasts educational exhibits about the species.