YULEE, Fla. — White Oak Conservation is working on a new 2,500-acre home for the largest elephants in the Western Hemisphere.
Thirty Asian elephants, which most recently traveled throughout the U.S. with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, are expected to arrive in the northeastern Florida refuge in 2021.
Philanthropists Mark and Kimbra Walter are the owners of the Walter Conservation, which is home to White Oak.
Mark Walter said, “Our family is committed to improving the lives of individual elephants and ensuring the survival of elephants in the wild.”
Kimbra Walter said, “For too long, humans have decimated the native habitats, poached and removed these animals from their natural home.” She also added, “Elephants are majestic and intelligent animals, and they are in dire need.”
White Oak has brought in an expert team to design the facilities and care for the elephants. Nick Newby is the leader of the team.
Newby is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Elephant Taxon Advisory Group, and is an instructor in the AZA’s Principles of Elephant Management program.
There will be nine interlinked areas open for the elephants on White Oak Conservation’s 17,000 acres.
These areas include multiple habitats the elephants can choose from, including wetlands, meadows and woods with a variety of vegetation.
Elephants will be able to have space to wander and exercise.
There will be 11 water holes and three barns, all designed specifically to suit the elephants’ needs. They will be easily accessible and have high-tech veterinary equipment.
Making a home for natural behavior and social bonds is part of White Oak’s philosophy, and keeping family groups together is very important.
The calves, their mothers and siblings will be in the same areas, as well as the grandmothers wherever possible.
Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, has supported the move to the new location and has provided care, food, and expertise throughout the transition.
“We are proud of our partnership with White Oak to transfer the elephants in our care to their facility to further expand their endangered species conservation efforts,” said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. “White Oak is one of the world’s most well-respected conservation organizations, and we know their dedicated staff will continue to care for these magnificent elephants for years to come.”
Feld Entertainment has been committed to the care and conservation of endangered Asian elephants since the company was founded in 1967.
In 1995, the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in Polk County, Florida was founded to continue the commitment Feld Entertainment made.
After the elephants retired in 2016, the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation continued to take care of them. They partnered with other conservation organizations to continue to gain knowledge and expertise on helping to save the endangered elephants.
Michelle Gadd Ph.D., the leader of the Walters' global conservation efforts, said, “Asian elephants are endangered in the wild… only 30,000 to 50,000 elephants remain in the wild in less than 15% of their historic range. Where they do survive, they continue to be threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation, conflict with humans, and poaching.”
Walter Conservation is using educational and training programs to continue their commitment to bring elephant education and awareness to the next generation of conservationists.
Deborah Olson, executive director of the International Elephant Foundation said, “White Oak’s commitment to conservation and animal care makes it the perfect forever home for this herd.”
Olson also noted, “The International Elephant Foundation looks forward to working with White Oak to improve the quality of life and viability of elephant populations everywhere.”
Cox Media Group
