Large Elephant Sanctuary May be Created

A 225 acre parcel of land is likely to receive approval for development as an elephant sanctuary near Fellsmere, Florida. Called the National Elephant Center it is the collaborative effort of 73 zoos, for the purpose of taking care of elephants in a natural setting. The first phase of construction could be completed in 2012, and would allow about nine elephants to live there comfortably. Eventually, additional construction will provide accommodations for about forty elephants.

The elephant center is likely to only be open to the public for visits from schools, but there won’t be high walls so hikers, bikers, and joggers should be able to see the elephants in the acreage. There is a commercial aspect to the operation, as some of the elephants will reproduce and their offspring might be used in circuses or zoos.

The idea behind such activity is then less elephants would be captured from the wild for the same uses. While the breeding aspect of the new facility is likely to upset those who feel no elephants should ever be used in circuses or zoos, capturing less from the wild may actually be somewhat of an improvement. Both African and Asian elephants will live there. In some parts of Africa elephants might become extinct due to loss of habitat, and poaching. The National Elephant Center says zoos support 85 elephant research programs, educate millions of people, and provide the majority of funding for the International Elephant Foundation. If you want to sponsor an orphaned elephant, you can do so through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Image Credit: National Elephant Center

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Rachel P.

11:23PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

This is ridiculous! Any respectable zoos that "deserve" the privilege of having wild animals in their collection do NOT get animals from the wild. Circuses do though and it's costly. This is very clearly a despicable attempt at fooling the public. I hope light is shed on this issue so that the project can be seen for what it is - another way of abusing magnificent creatures.

Wild animals DO NOT belong in captivity. For some unfortunate ones though, it's the only way they can survive. Their misfortune is more often than not caused by the human animal so they deserve the utmost respect and best care possible. This does not include, in any way, taking advantage of the situation to make $$ like circuses do!!!

send a green star

Michela R.

1:18PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

This is not a sanctuary. This is disgusting. Zoos and especially circuses are not places for elephants or any animal. Why is this information being shared on Care 2 like it's good news. I hope this place is stopped, it's awful. Anyone who has any association with Ringling Brothers is not good.

Ans W.

8:26AM PST on Feb 21, 2012

Thank you David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you do good work

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/fostering.asp

Nimue P.

3:39PM PST on Feb 20, 2012

Sounds wonderful, but if Jennifer's comment is true, then it may not be the "sanctuary" people think it will be.

Jennifer L.

10:45AM PDT on Oct 26, 2011

Those who knows Mr. Feld, knows he is the owner of Ringling Bros. who torture and bullhook elephants into submission. He also owns this BREEDING facility, which has NOTHING to do with being a sanctuary. You will be reported, Mr. Richardson. How dare you report something so untrue, especially on the Care2 network.

Phil and Barbar b.

5:56PM PDT on Sep 26, 2011

The sanctuary sounds like a great place, as long as no elephants
go to circuses or zoos, no animals deserve to be caged or 'forced' to perform!!!!!!!!

Jean B.

4:43PM PDT on Sep 26, 2011

This is a bad idea. When will people realize that elephants or any other wild animals do not belong in circuses or zoos. The time has come for all zoos and circuses to stop abusing and using these sentient animals. There is nothing to be learned from these places, they are just concentration camps for them. DO NOT USE THESE ELEPHANTS FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

Serena A.

7:21AM PDT on Sep 20, 2011

Sally Ann B.

6:46PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

Where is the response from the Author of this article? I've tried to "call-you-out" and you have not responded! THEY WANT TO USE BULLHOOKS!!!!!!!! If you do not respond to this post...then is this "avoiding being seen as an enabeler"????
People are looking at this...you've opend a Pandora's Box...why not let all of those who are leaving comments that you made a mistake...writing about "BULLHOOK USERS" without knowing that. For the Love of God, elephants are creatures with feelings...go to Amazon and pull-up the book "When Elephants Cry" - come out of your closet and let us know that you are not part of these torturers!!!! Show yourself!

Emily D.

6:04PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

NOT GOOD! NOT GOOD AT ALL! NO TO CIRCUSES AND ZOOS! But I have fostered 2 elephants (Emily and Mary) through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and they are a great organization that saves orphaned elephants due to poaching or other reasons. They are NOT put into circuses or zoos. Check it out and foster an elephant if you can. You can also foster an elephant as a gift for someone else :)