Far from Disney World, Cape Canaveral, Palm Beach or South Beach; there will soon be a 300 acre tract of open grazing land set aside for several African and Asian elephants to wander and survey while enjoying wallowing in some natural waterholes.  In February 2008, the National Elephant Center, with Center Board President Mark C. Reed, along with the Houston Zoo released a major announcement.  They will join with the Waste Management Company out of Houston to lease land WM owns in St. Lucie County, Florida for a future elephant conservation and care center.
    This elephant center will be in western St. Lucie County near the Okeechobee County border and will serve as an international facility for elephant care, research, conservation and study. The area is very similar to the native regions for most African elephants.  Approximately 7 to 15 elephants will be at the center at any one time but they could possibly have as many as 25, if necessary.  The elephants would not permanently live there but be transported to the center while zoos are being renovated or if an elephant needs some special care or additional sociability skills.  If it becomes essential, an elephant may eventually retire to this Florida habitat.
    The Waste Management Company is offering the center a 40-year lease at a very reasonable rate and donating $450,000 to the center over a three year period.  There will be no disruption to residents in the region by having the elephants nearby, in fact, the center hopes to offer tours to schools groups.  Elephants trainers from all over the world will be encouraged to visit the center to learn the proper care of elephants.
    With elephants on the endangered animal list and nearly 290 elephants in 77 North American zoos, there was a real need to have such a sanctuary.  Work on the center will begin the summer of 2008 and it is hoped the first group of elephants will arrive in October 2009.  There will be secure, comfortable buildings where the animals can be housed when they are not outdoors.  The center location will be just north of RT 70, near Bluefield Road  and 128th Avenue along the border with Okeechobee County.
    The western section of St. Lucie County is already home to the ‘Save the Chimps’ sanctuary made up of 200 acres.  It provides a protected and stimulating environment for about 135 chimpanzees.  Recently there was a similar home for big cats, called ‘Tigers for Tomorrow’ housed in St. Lucie County.  Those exotic animals are now being transferred to the new “Untamed Mountain” preserve in Alabama.
   
Author:  Alice L. Luckhardt, as a Florida native and resident of nearby Martin County, I was extremely pleased to learn of this new facility coming to the Treasure Coast area.  It will provide an excellent environment for the care and study of these elephants.   Hopefully, additional individuals and corporations will lend their financial support to this worthy cause.

Sources:
Derek Simmonsen of the TC Palm News - Scripps - February 7 & 8, 2008
Jeremy Ashton of the TC Palm News - Scripps - February 7, 2008
News Press Release from National Elephant Center & Houston Zoo - February 7, 2008
Maps by MapQuest

 The St. Lucie County Commission in Florida approved on January 26, 2010 the vast 300 plus acreage for housing elephants in the county.

The National Elephant Center agreed not to use the 'bullhook' tool at the center.  A good deal of public concern over its use was expressed and the County Commissioners made the request of no use of the bullhook before the final approval.  This is a public funded project and the Commission gave a 5-0 vote for the center to be established.

The National Elephant Center hopes to have everything complete by the end of 2010.  Besides the caring for elephants, the center will be an educational site for school children in the region.