For many years, curators, keepers, veterinarians and others associated with elephants 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 Association of Zoos and Aquariums 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.
An extensive search was launched to research potential sites to locate The Center. Ultimately, a team of elephant experts selected property offered by Waste Management near Okeechobee in central Florida.
In the coming year The National Elephant Center will break ground, build an infrastructure to aid in the care of the elephants staying there, and begin fulfilling our mission to make an impact on the conservation of elephants around the world. |
