What is The National Elephant Center?
The National Elephant Center is a new model for excellence in elephant care and conservation. Specifically, it is a permanent, high-quality facility located on 300 acres of land in central Florida. It is poised to become a world leader in elephant population management, conservation, scientific research, training and elephant care. Working with accredited zoos and other conservation organizations, The National Elephant Center will contribute to the survival of the species in zoos and around the world through ongoing scientific research and conservation projects
Why create The National Elephant Center?
For many years, curators, keepers, veterinarians and others associated with the care of elephant at Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) institutions wanted a facility to provide short- and long-term solutions to help manage the nation’s nearly 290 elephants that live at 77 different AZA-accredited facilities.
In 2004 the idea of creating a national elephant center came as the result of an AZA Elephant Management Strategic Planning Meeting involving thought leaders and members of the Elephant Taxon Advisory Group/Species Survival Plan (TAG/SSP). Shortly thereafter, dozens of AZA-accredited zoos donated critical funding support to explore options for establishing a Center, which will be an important tool in elephant management and conservation.
Where is The National Center located?
The Center is located near Okeechobee, Fla., on 300 acres. The property is owned by Waste Management and includes open space for elephants to roam while providing a variety of natural waterholes for wallowing and exploring. The site is adjacent to property that Waste Management maintains as a natural area certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council that provides food and nesting areas for threatened Florida sandhill cranes and other endangered species. About 900 acres of open space separate the Center from Waste Management’s nearby sanitary landfill, which serves the surrounding communities.
How many elephants will be at the Center?
It’s premature to set an exact number, as it will depend on the need and on our operational capabilities. While there is extensive room to expand – perhaps up to as many as 40 elephants if need be – we don’t envision that scenario any time in the near future. Depending on the needs of AZA institutions, the Center may have a herd of approximately 15 or more elephants.
Is the Center a lot like a zoo?
The National Elephant Center is not a zoo nor is it attempting to replace the important education and conservation roles AZA-accredited zoos which elephants fill every day. The Center is being developed to enhance our ability to manage the zoo elephant population in North America and to create a sustainable future for elephants through research and conservation efforts by animal care experts.
Can I visit The National Elephant Center?
Once it is operational, the Center will have options for scheduled visitation at special times and it will be used for educational opportunities for schools in the surrounding area. Waste Management already provides several environmental educational opportunities for school children at the Okeechobee site, which includes a natural area certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council. However, as a professional elephant management facility it not intended as a public attraction.
Why do zoos keep elephants in their care?
AZA-accredited zoos play a critical role in society today by helping connect people with wildlife and inspiring them to take action to help wildlife, like the endangered Asian and African elephant. Without professionally-managed zoos, very few North Americans would ever see a living elephant, let alone experience the emotional connections. We know through research that these connections can inspire caring about elephants and participating in elephant conservation.
A 2005 Harris poll shows that 94 percent of the public agrees that children are more likely to be concerned about animals if they learn about them at zoos, marine life parks and aquariums. The same poll shows that 95 percent of U.S. adults agree that visiting accredited zoos and seeing elephants and rhinos helps people appreciate them more and encourages people to learn more about them.
When will elephants arrive at The National Elephant Center?
We anticipate the Center will be ready to welcome elephants in 2009.
