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Meet Osh: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee’s new 15,000-pound friend

The elephant made the ~2,250-mile trek from Oakland, CA to the sanctuary, arriving in Hohenwald, TN on Friday, Oct. 18.

An African elephant walking on dirt in front of the rails of the exterior of its habitat. Another elephant looks on in the distance.

Here’s a look at Osh exploring his Tennessee habitat for the first time. | Photo via Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary

Here’s a trunk-load of information: Not only did The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee welcome a new 15,000-pound addition over the weekend, you can get involved with the organization (even from 80 miles away).

Meet Osh

The 30-year-old African elephant journeyed ~2,250 miles to Hohenwald, TN from California’s Oakland Zoo, where he’s resided since 2004. The zoo decided to relocate Osh so that he could socialize with other elephants, including his former herd mate, Donna.

Osh’s Friday, Oct. 18 arrival made him the sanctuary’s second permanent African male elephant and marked 34 residents in total. Watch Osh and other elephants on the livestreaming EleCams.

Join in

Beyond volunteer opportunities and visits to the Discovery Center, there are ways to connect with the creatures without leaving your home. Plan your virtual trip:

  • Distance learning | Schedule a program designed for different age groups. Pro tip: There’s also a Lifelong Learner’s Program.
  • Virtual events | Keep an eye on social media or the Discovery Center webpage for opportunities to participate from afar.
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