• What's Up Columbia!
  • Posts
  • The Elephant Sanctuary Celebrates 30 Years of Elephant Care in Hohenwald

The Elephant Sanctuary Celebrates 30 Years of Elephant Care in Hohenwald

Issue #371

05 Mar

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤 Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Mostly sunny w/ high of 51 & low of 33

🐘 The Elephant Sanctuary Celebrates 30 Years of Elephant Care in Hohenwald

📰 MTSU Senior from Spring Hill Joins First Lady at Presidential Address

📌 March 28-29: Free Tree Giveaway For Spring Hill Residents 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, March 6th

Friday, March 7th

Saturday, March 8th

Sunday, March 9th

The Elephant Sanctuary Celebrates 30 Years of Elephant Care in Hohenwald

A Message from The Elephant Sanctuary…

Over the last three decades, The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN has been privileged to offer a home to elephants, providing them with diverse habitats, lifetime care, and the freedom of choice that all animals deserve. As we reflect on this incredible journey, we also look ahead to the future and the next chapter for elephants at The Sanctuary and around the world.

From the beginning, when The Sanctuary was founded on 110 acres, the mission has been rooted in providing elephants the space to roam, receive care, and form bonds with other elephants. Today, The Elephant Sanctuary spans over 3,060 acres of rolling Tennessee hills, where elephants like Tange, Flora, Nosey, Sukari, Edie, Sissy, Billie, Minnie, Debbie, Ronnie, Osh, Artie, and many others can embrace more natural behaviors and make choices about their interactions with their surroundings.

As we step into this season of celebration, the elephants are already enjoying the warmth of the spring sun, foraging through fresh greens, and enjoying their well-deserved rest. African elephant Edie was the first to receive celebratory enrichment in honor of the 30th anniversary — a donut-shaped device filled with Mazuri feed and hay! The device encourages the elephants to search for their diet inside as a supplemental cognitive challenge, much like they interact with their environment in the wild to find food. 

We are working on preparations for the summer arrival of two female elephants from the Louisville Zoo, and we are filled with excitement about what lies ahead beyond this 30th year. The Sanctuary remains committed to meeting the changing needs of elephants. Our ongoing habitat expansions, the arrival of new elephants, and enhancements to our care facilities are important to this deep commitment to these intelligent and social beings.

Plans are in motion to expand programming at The Elephant Discovery Center, located in downtown Hohenwald, to broaden our Distance Learning programs and strengthen our partnerships with global conservation organizations. These efforts will greatly contribute to our important work to care for and protect elephants and to educate others, both now and in the future.

"As we celebrate the past, we look to the years ahead as being full of opportunity," says Janice Zeitlin, CEO. "I, along with the Board and Staff, am deeply grateful for the support of our donors who have made this journey possible. Together, we will continue to provide elephants with the space and care they need to live out their days in peace and dignity and to work for a better world for all elephants."

To learn more about The Sanctuary's 30th anniversary celebration and events happening throughout the year, visit elephants.com/sanctuary30th.

About The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

Located on 3,060 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee, The Elephant Sanctuary is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for Asian and African elephants. Founded in 1995, The Sanctuary has provided 34 elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being. The Sanctuary is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and has been dually recognized through accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. The Elephant Sanctuary is currently home to 12 elephant residents.

To learn more about The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, please visit our website at www.elephants.com. We welcome you to stay engaged and observe the elephants via our live-streaming EleCams, and connect with us via social media.

MTSU Senior from Spring Hill Joins First Lady at Presidential Address

Middle Tennessee State University senior Haley Ferguson, an elementary education major from Spring Hill, was among 15 individuals invited as special guests by First Lady Melania Trump to attend President’s address to a joint session of Congress on March 4 in Washington, D.C.

Ferguson, a former foster child, was a recipient of the Fostering the Future scholarship, an initiative created as part of the first lady’s “Be Best” campaign, which promotes youth well-being and addresses issues like cyberbullying. The scholarship supports students in achieving their educational goals and preparing for the workforce.

Her selection for this honor came through a connection between MTSU’s vice president for University Advancement, Joe Bales, and a White House liaison. The news was delivered to Ferguson through a personal phone call, a moment she described as both shocking and deeply appreciated.

As a guest at the Capitol, Ferguson experienced a historic moment firsthand. While cellphone use was restricted, she looked forward to receiving an official photo with the first lady as a keepsake from the event.

Now nearing graduation, Ferguson is on track to complete her studies and pursue her passion for teaching—an achievement made possible through the support of her university and the scholarship that recognized her potential.

March 28-29: Free Tree Giveaway For Spring Hill Residents

The City of Spring Hill is joining in on the Tennessee Tree Day celebration this year by hosting a tree giveaway! Tree Day is usually observed on March 15 but has been delayed this year due to a late tree harvest.

Public Works employees will be in the City Hall parking lot Friday, March 28 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to give out free trees to residents.

Residents will be limited to 10 trees each. The City has a supply of 200 trees — including redbuds, cedars, and dogwoods — during this giveaway.

For any questions related to this event, contact Winston Walters at (615) 695-5519 or by email at [email protected].

Come join in the Tennessee Tree Day celebration with the City of Spring Hill! We hope to see you there!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, March 6th

Matt Marinchick, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, March 7th

Nick Bentley, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
The Tim Turner Band, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Songwriter Series ft. J. Michael Harter, Rhonda Funk, Lockwood Barr & Collins Horton, The  Mulehouse 7 PM
Smith & Gone, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Escape, Fozzy's Bar &  Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, March 8th

Andy Liter & the Lite Beers, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Kenny Durham Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
CJ & The Whiskey Sundown Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, March 9th

Brandon Bratley, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Rebel, 4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

(Sponsor)

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk