The Growing Movement to Relocate Captive Elephants to Sanctuaries

The landscape of elephant care in captivity is undergoing a significant transformation. Zoos across the United States are increasingly recognizing that traditional enclosures cannot meet the complex physical, social, and psychological needs of elephants. This realization has led to a series of relocations of these majestic animals to expansive sanctuaries designed to provide environments that closely resemble their natural habitats.

Recent Notable Transfers:

• Oakland Zoo's Landmark Decision: In October 2024, Oakland Zoo made headlines by relocating its last African elephant, Osh, to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. This 46-hour journey marked a significant milestone, as the zoo acknowledged that even its 6.5-acre enclosure was inadequate for meeting the social and spatial needs of elephants. Osh's arrival at the sanctuary symbolizes a broader shift towards prioritizing animal rights over traditional exhibition.
  
  
• Louisville Zoo's Commitment to Animal Rights: The Louisville Zoo announced plans to retire its two remaining elephants, Mikki and Punch, to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in spring 2025. This decision reflects the zoo's dedication to providing a more natural and enriching environment for these elephants, allowing them to engage in social behaviors and roam freely over vast areas.
  
  
• Advocacy for Bronx Zoo Elephants: In February 2025, the New York City Bar Association called on city officials to transfer the Bronx Zoo's last two elephants, Happy and Patty, to a sanctuary. Citing concerns about their confinement in enclosures much smaller than their natural habitats, the association highlighted the physical and mental stress experienced by these intelligent creatures. This advocacy underscores the growing public awareness and concern for the well-being of captive elephants.
  
  

Complete List of Zoos That Have Transferred Elephants to Sanctuaries

Zoos that transferred elephants to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):

• Detroit Zoo transferred Winky and Wanda in 2005
  
  
• San Francisco Zoo transferred Tinkerbelle in 2004
  
  
• San Francisco Zoo transferred Lulu in 2005
  
  
• Los Angeles Zoo transferred Ruby in 2007
  
  
• Toronto Zoo transferred Thika, Toka, and Iringa to PAWS in 2013
  
  

• El Paso Zoo transferred Sissy in 2000
  
  
• Nashville Zoo transferred Sukari in 2015
  
  

• North Carolina Zoo transferred Artie in 2023
  
  
• San Antonio Zoo transferred Nicole in 2023
  
  
• Oakland Zoo transferred Donna in 2023
  
  
• Knoxville Zoo transferred Jana and Edie in 2023
  
  
• Oakland Zoo transferred Osh in 2024
  
  
• Louisville Zoo will transfer Mikki and Punch in Spring 2025
  
  
• Roger Williams Park Zoo, Rhode Island, will transfer Alice, Jenny, and Kate in 2027
  
  

The Role of Sanctuaries in Elephant Rights

Sanctuaries like The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and PAWS in northern California offer expansive, naturalistic environments where elephants can form social bonds, engage in natural behaviors, and experience a quality of life unattainable in traditional zoo settings. These facilities prioritize the well-being of the animals, providing individualized care and the freedom to roam over a large expanse with hills, streams, and trees..

A Perspective from VFTA Executive Director, Melya Kaplan:

"Elephants are deeply social beings who depend on their families for survival, learning, and emotional support. When they are isolated or kept in small groups in confined spaces, they suffer tremendously. No amount of enrichment can replace the freedom and companionship they have in the wild."

The Path Forward

The trend of relocating elephants to sanctuaries represents a compassionate and ethical approach to animal care. It acknowledges the intrinsic value of these sentient beings and their right to environments that meet their complex needs. As more zoos embrace this philosophy, we move closer to a future where the rights of animals takes precedence over exhibition and entertainment, and where elephants can live out their lives in peace and dignity.

We encourage our supporters and the broader public to advocate for such changes and support organizations dedicated to the well-being of elephants. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these magnificent creatures.