Oakland Zoo is a strong supporter of elephants and the work the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee provides for rescued elephants.

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, founded in 1995, is the nation's largest natural habitat refuge developed specifically for endangered African and Asian elephants. It operates on 2,700 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee - 85 miles southwest of Nashville.

The sanctuary's mission is to provide a haven for needy elephants in a natural environment and to provide education about the crisis facing these endangered creatures. With a staff of 22 professional employees, the facility currently houses 17 elephants and is even monitored by automatic cameras. The sanctuary has been in the process of expansion since its inception. Once expansion is completed the facility will be able to house 100 elephants. The African elephant house even makes innovative use of solar energy in its daily operations.

Licensed by the USDA and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the sanctuary receives no federal or state funding. All donations come from individuals from around the world. For more information on the Sanctuary, go to: http://www.elephants.com