AR-News: (TN - US) Flora the elephant finds sanctuary!!

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Flora Finds Sanctuary

Third African Elephant Moves to Tennessee

NEWS CONTACT: Carol Buckley

 

Hohenwald, Tenn.—(Mar. 2) Flora, a twenty-two-year-old African elephant and 
former circus star is leaving her performing days behind forever. Flora will be 
welcomed to her new home and meet her new family members on Wednesday, March 
3. . Her arrival will be broadcast live on the Sanctuary’s AfriCam at <A HREF="http://www.tappedintoelephants.com/">
http://www.tappedintoelephants.com/</A>.



Flora has spent the majority of her life isolated from other elephants. That 
will all change when Flora joins Tange and Zula, two African elephants who 
recently moved to the Sanctuary from Chehaw Wild Animal Park.



Flora lost her family to a culling in Zimbabwe when she was just two years 
old. She was shipped to the United States by an elephant broker and spent the 
next 18 years performing in a circus named for her, the Springfield, 
Michigan-based Circus Flora. David Balding, founder of Circus Flora, has been Flora’s 
caregiver since she arrived in America. In a selfless display of love, Balding 
will officially set Flora free upon her arrival at the Sanctuary.



The Elephant Sanctuary located in Hohenwald, Tennessee has provided 
natural-habitat haven for old, sick and needy Asian elephants for the past nine years. 
In 2002, inspired by its success with Asian elephants, the Sanctuary made the 
decision to include African elephants as well. Like Asian elephants, African 
elephants are considered an endangered species.



Several VIPs and celebrities will attend as Flora is introduced to the 
Sanctuary. Miss America, Ericka Dunlap, will be bidding Flora a final farewell from 
her current quarters at the Miami Zoo. Among those who will greet Flora when 
she arrives at the Sanctuary are Joanna Cassidy, award winning actress from the 
HBO series Six Feet Under, Jim and John Hager, the “Hager Twins” of Hee Haw 
fame, and John Kay, lead singer for the legendary rock group Steppenwolf. 
David Balding, Flora’s protector and provider, will accompany her on the trip from 
Miami to Tennessee and be on hand to witness her introduction to her new 
family and home.



In addition, Los Angeles filmmakers Christina Colissimo and Jordana 
Flick-Franzheim of Crossover Films will be filming Flora’s move for their documentary 
on Flora’s life, “Flora’s Story:From Circus to Sanctuary.”



Ahali, a Los Angles-based non-profit organization established to care for 
Flora, launched a campaign to raise the $200,000 needed to fund the construction 
of the additional stall for Flora in the Sanctuary’s new state-of-the-art 
African elephant house. To date, Ahali has raised $46,000. It will continue its 
fundraising efforts until it meets the $200,000 goal.



The Elephant Sanctuary is a non-profit organization licensed by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It receives 
no federal or state funding and relies entirely on public support. The 
Sanctuary is currently conducting a capital campaign to raise funds for its recent 
expansion from 200 to 2,700 acres, including construction of a new barn and 
fencing to accommodate African elephants.



For more information about how to become a Sanctuary member or to make a 
donation, all (931) 796-6500 or visit the web site


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