This Hidden Sanctuary Near Nashville Is Home To One Of The Largest Herds Of Elephants In America
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Meghan Kraft
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Tennessee is known for its natural beauty and its abundant wildlife, but there’s one herd of animals roaming Middle Tennessee that you wouldn’t expect. An organization just outside of Nashville has made it their mission to rescue captive elephants in order to give them a better home and a better life, and now it’s the largest herd of elephants in North America! Don’t believe us? You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Just outside of Hohenwald, about an hour South of Nashville, the Elephant Sanctuary has been giving Asian elephants a home since 1995. They started taking care of African elephants in 2004.
The purpose of the sanctuary is to provide a natural environment, individualized care, and a herd for them to feel like family.
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An interesting fact about the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary: all of the elephants here are female. There are many reasons for this including the fact that captive elephants in need of rescue are more proportionally female, and elephant herds are naturally matriarchal with males in the wild leaving the herds once they reach maturity.
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While you might not think of Tennessee as a natural habitat for elephants, it's actually perfect for these pachyderms. The mild climate combined with a wide variety of vegetation and landscape make the elephants feel right at home.
The sanctuary is home to 11 elephants, which may not seem like a lot, but that's actually the largest refuge for captive elephants in North America.
While the elephant habitats themselves aren't open to visitors, the Elephant Discovery Center in downtown Hohenwald has all kinds of exhibits for folks to see including regular programs about the elephants, a multi-media theater, and more.
To visit, it's best to first check out the Elephant Discovery Center in Hohenwald. You can visit it Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They're located at 27 East Main St.
If you’re more of a foodie, you need to check out our definitive bucket list of the best Southern biscuits in Nashville.
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