National Elephant Center RSS Feed

Editorial: Fellsmere setting an example for constructive use of natural environment

Sun, 26 Apr 1903 14:00:00 GMT

Ground was broken this month in Fellsmere for the future home of the $12.5 million National Elephant Center, 225 acres that could one day serve as a refuge for up to 36 elephants needing a home.

"Today an orange grove, tomorrow a pachyderm paradise," said center Chairman Rick Borangi, director of the Dallas Zoo, one of 73 accredited zoos belonging to the national center.

The National Elephant Center previously was proposed for St. Lucie County, but center officials opted for Fellsmere after running into proposed county restrictions that went beyond the necessary zoning approvals. Fellsmere has increasingly looked to its natural environment as a major asset for future economic development while conserving resources, such as through ecotourism.

Other governments in the region have taken steps toward ecotourism but few have embraced ecotourism to the extent officials in Fellsmere have.

Another example was the approval late last year of a land-use change for the 86-acre Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve from commercial to conservation. The city hopes to use a $400,000 state grant to put in a visitors station as well as hiking and horseback-riding trails.

And, more recently, the city has applied for a $430,000 grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to build a facility that would include boat trailer and car parking, a dock and two boat ramps, along with restrooms and picnic areas along a 10,000-acre lake being developed by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Mayor Susan Adams said, "It carries on our vision of creating ecotourism hot spots in our area. It fits perfectly into the big picture; it's another puzzle piece. I think it is positive and I hope we get the grant."

The National Elephant Center will certainly be putting Fellsmere on the map. So will the new lake, which will be next to the center, and which is currently being called Headwaters Lake.

By combining the use of natural resources and conservation efforts with tourist-related activities that depend upon the natural attractions, Fellsmere is setting an example of environmental stewardship and its potential in the area of economic growth opportunities.

Fellsmere officials seem to have a vision for the direction they want their city to take. That can't be said for all local governments in the region.

26-Apr-03 9:00 AM

The National Elephant Center Breaks Ground in Fellsmere

noemail@thenationalelephantcenter.org — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT

FELLSMERE, Fla. (April 4, 2012) - Wildlife professionals from accredited zoos across the country joined local community members today in Fellsmere, Florida to officially break ground on Phase One of The National Elephant Center, a new model supporting excellence in elephant care. When completed, The Center will be a professional elephant care facility focused on advancing the care of elephants in North America. A collaborative effort with support from 73 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), The Center will support population management for North American elephants at AZA-accredited zoos across the country; serve as a centralized training facility for elephant caretakers; contribute to husbandry research to advance elephant welfare in human care, and participate in conservation projects in partnership with accredited zoos and elephant conservationists worldwide. This is a big day for Fellsmere, and an even bigger day for elephants, said...

The National Elephant Center Announces New Home in Fellsmere, Florida

noemail@thenationalelephantcenter.org — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The National Elephant Center Announces New Home in Fellsmere, Florida Innovative Center Will Advance Elephant Care FELLSMERE, Fla. (Sept. 8, 2011) - The National Elephant Center, a new model for excellence in elephant care and conservation, will soon break ground in central Florida. The National Elephant Center's board of directors today filed site development permits with the City of Fellsmere to build the facility on a 225-acre site. The land currently supports a citrus grove and is surrounded by farmland. The Center will be a professional elephant care facility focused on advancing the care of elephants in North America. A collaborative effort with support from 73 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), The Center will: Support population management for North American elephants cared for in AZA-accredited zoos across the country. For example, The Center will provide a flexible habitat for bull elephants, herds and social groupings...

Site Plans

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:46:36 GMT

Located in Fellsmere, Florida, the future site currently supports a citrus grove and is surrounded by farmland.

This location offers excellent conditions with good drainage, close proximity to other elephant facilities, and a central location all of which makes the site ideal for elephants and our operations.

The National Elephant Center will be unlike anything ever created for elephants. The master site plan includes four barns, quarantine facilities, a keeper work center, a conservation/education center, elephant overlooks and a group pavilion. The full site includes 225 acres for the elephants with a series of varied yards and large meanders designed for optimal flexibility. Four barns will house the elephants and allow for veterinary procedures. Natural enrichment zones with waterholes and large elephant meanders will be ideal for foraging and mud wallowing. There’s no doubt elephants are going to love this location.

Phase One construction will encompass about 25 acres, including one barn with attached paddocks and four interconnected pastures ranging from four to five acres each. All barns will be capable of holding both African and Asian elephants.

History

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:58:12 GMT

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 73 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. After exploring several promising locations, the board determined a site in Fellsmere, Florida offered the best location for elephants.

With site development at Fellsmere now underway, The National Elephant Center will soon break ground on the first phase of its development.

Board of Directors

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:44:22 GMT

The National Elephant Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit managed by a Board of Directors. The Board establishes strategic direction, partnerships and governing policies and will manage The Center. The Board is responsible for fundraising to support capital development and operations. Members of The National Elephant Center board of directors are:

Rick Barongi, Chairman
Houston Zoo

Craig Piper, Vice Chairman
Denver Zoo

Dennis Pate, Treasurer
Henry Doorly Zoo

Mike Blakely, Secretary
Little Rock Zoo

Mark C. Reed, Past Chairman
Sedgwick County Zoo

Dr. Anne Baker
Toledo Zoological Gardens

Dr. Bob Dale
Butler University

Martha Fischer
St. Louis Zoo

Dr. Bill Foster
Birmingham Zoo

Gregg Hudson
Dallas Zoo

David Jones
North Carolina Zoological Park

Kim Smith
Oregon Zoo

Steve Taylor
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Keith Winsten
Brevard Zoo

Staff

John Lehnhardt
Interim Executive Director

Jeff Bolling
Chief Operating Officer

Former board members:

Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, President and CEO, St. Louis Zoo
Mike Crowther, President/CEO, Indianapolis Zoo
Mike Fouraker, Executive Director, Ft. Worth Zoo
The late Clayton Freiheit, President/CEO, Denver Zoo
Dr. Deborah Jensen, President/CEO, Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle)
Mike Keele, Deputy Director, Oregon Zoo
Jerry Borin, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Help us care for elephants

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:17:43 GMT

We care deeply about elephants. Unfortunately, today they face an uncertain future. That’s why we’re building a new model supporting excellence in elephant care, unlike anything else.

By educating millions of people each year and contributing vital funds to conservation initiatives around the world, accredited zoos advocate for elephants everywhere. The National Elephant Center takes this commitment to a new level to help ensure a future for elephants.

We need your support to make it a reality and to help the elephants.

or mail donations to:

The National Elephant Center
c/o Brevard Zoo
8225 North Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL 32940

Frequently Asked Questions

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:16:19 GMT

What is The National Elephant Center? The National Elephant Center is a new model supporting excellence in elephant care. Specifically, The Center is a professional elephant care facility focused on advancing the care of elephants in North America. A collaborative effort with support from 73 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), The Center will: Support population management for North American elephants cared for in AZA-accredited zoos across the country. For example, The Center will provide a flexible habitat for bull elephants, herds and social groupings and help support the elephant programs in the 73 zoos with elephant programs. Serve as a centralized training facility for elephant keepers, veterinarians and others. Conduct and contribute to husbandry research to determine the best methods of animal care, and; Participate in conservation projects in partnership with accredited zoos and elephant...

Join us in creating a future for elephants

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:40:01 GMT

Our goal every day is to make a real difference for future of elephants. In order to be successful, we need the involvement of people like you who care about helping elephants. Join our advocacy team and support elephant care and conservation today with a donation to The National Elephant Center. Your contribution will help us ensure that elephants are in our future.

Join our Advocacy Team

Make a Donation to the National Elephant Center

Video Gallery

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:43:21 GMT

ZOO PROGRAMS

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:58:35 GMT

Accredited zoos are taking critical steps to ensure a future for elephants through education programs and conservation projects designed to draw attention to the plight of elephants and make a real impact in their home ranges.

In addition to inspiring millions of visitors each year to care about elephants, today’s accredited zoos are providing vital resources to help elephants. They support more than 85 elephant research programs that directly address many of the issues affecting elephants in the wild. Others are studying the animals to learn how we can best protect them. For instance:

A study on elephant vocalization at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is yielding clues in female elephant fertility patterns, important for successful breeding to maintain elephant conservation programs.
At the Oakland Zoo, researchers are discovering how elephants hear distant seismic vibrations and perceive them as environmental threats. This study illuminates how people can better protect wild elephant habitats, and shield elephants in this country from urban noise.
The St. Louis Zoo developed a means of using cell phone towers to track elephants in the wild.
An elephant vocalization study at the Pittsburgh Zoo is yielding insight into how the animals are affected by relocation from one habitat to another. This knowledge will help elephant conservationists work successfully.

Additionally, accredited zoos provide the majority of the funding for the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports a wide variety of elephant conservation and related scientific and educational projects worldwide.

Armed with dedicated teams of scientists, researchers and passionate conservationists, accredited zoos are making a real difference for elephants. The National Elephant Center will support these causes while spearheading new initiatives and programs designed to ensure elephants remain part of our future.

Conservation and Research

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:57:02 GMT

Elephants are under a barrage of threats – from poaching to habitat loss, human conflict and climate change. Every year nearly 4,000 elephants are killed to sustain the illegal trade of ivory. In order to understand the best way to protect elephants in today’s world, additional support for research, education and conservation programs is needed to ensure their future.

The National Elephant Center is poised to become a leader in this effort through research, advocacy, education and conservation:

RESEARCH - Wild populations of elephants are increasingly becoming managed due to shrinking habitat, changing population dynamics and encroachment by human development. Population management research at The National Elephant Center will provide conservationists with tools and techniques for managing these populations in the wild.
ADVOCACY - The Center envisions becoming a voice for elephants nationally and internationally through advocacy and collaboration that will speak up for elephants on issues that affect their continued survival.
EDUCATION - Though not open to the public, The National Elephant Center will educate school children locally and support formal education programs at accredited zoos throughout the country, which teach millions of visitors each year about elephants and their status in the wild.
CONSERVATION - The Center will provide an important space for research that will help zoos aid the Asian and African elephant populations in the wild. North American zoos already help support more than 85 research projects in zoos and in the wild to learn more about elephants.

Our Mission

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:52:49 GMT

To improve the elephant population’s long-term viability and welfare by promoting excellence in elephant care and management. To accomplish this mission we will:

collaborate with AZA-accredited zoos and other professional elephant organizations, experts and advocates;
bring a scientific approach to husbandry research, professional training, and elephant reproduction; and
always provide exceptional care inspired by our deep commitment to the future of elephants.

Lorem ipsum survey

noemail@thenationalelephantcenter.org — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:16:36 GMT

Objectives:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diem nonummynibh euismod tincidunt ut lacreet dolore magna aliguam erat volutpat. Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tution ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis te feugifacilisi.

Duis autem dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit au gue duis dolore te feugat nulla facilisi.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci taion ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex en commodo consequat. Duis te feugifacilisi per suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex en commodo consequat.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diem nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut lacreet dolore magna aliguam erat volutpat.

Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci

Release Date: 2-May-08 5:16 PM
Expiration Date: 2-Aug-08 5:16 PM

Ut wisis enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci

Phase One Construction

Sun, 20 May 2012 12:14:58 GMT

The Elephant Center is located on a 225-acre site near the Blue Cypress Conservation Area. The land currently supports a citrus grove and is surrounded by farmland. Occupying approximately one-quarter of the full site, Phase One plans include a large barn with attached paddocks, a keeper work center and four interconnected pastures providing elephants more than 20 acres to roam. Each pasture will include ponds, mud wallows, dust bathing areas, shade, and other natural features used by elephants. The approximate cost for Phase One construction is $2.5 million. Dozens of elephants could be cared for in the future, though The Center will likely be home to less than ten animals for the initial year of operation.

The National Elephant Center Breaks Ground in Fellsmere

Sun, 20 May 2012 12:14:58 GMT

“This is a big day for Fellsmere, and an even bigger day for elephants,” said Rick Barongi, chairman of The National Elephant Center and director of Houson Zoo. “We’re thrilled to begin making our vision to improve elephant care a reality as we transform this place into a pachyderm paradise.”

Lorem ipsum

2008-05-02T22:16:35Z

Instructor: Instructor

Lorem ipsum