Dulary Finds New Home at The Elephant Sanctuary

After four decades living in a decrepit 1940s-era exhibit at Philadelphia Zoo, 43-year-old Dulary finally arrived last week at her wonderful new home -- The Elephant Sanctuary (TES) in Tennessee! Here, she will have the chance to socialize with 15 other Asian elephants and finally be able to stretch her legs on the 2,200-acre habitat.

Almost as soon as she stepped out of the trailer that transported her to TES, Dulary made fast friends with Tara, another one of the sanctuary's elephant residents—a great start to her brand new life! "Dulary has remained in the constant company of her new sisters; eating, napping, sharing affection, and exploring her new habitat," writes TES founder Carol Buckley in Dulary's Diary. "Her assimilation into her new life has been remarkably instantaneous."

While Dulary enjoys her new life and friendly welcome, 46-year-old Ruby will make the journey from Los Angeles Zoo to the PAWS sanctuary in Northern California later this month! Soon she will enjoy the company of other African elephants on 70+ acres of natural landscape— more than 500 times the space of her current enclosure!

IDA is proud to have played a role in freeing Ruby and Dulary from the stultifying confinement of their zoo enclosures. Change is happening for elephants around the country, and together we are making a big difference! Thank you to everyone who called, wrote, signed petitions, and demonstrated on Ruby and Dulary's behalf, especially Friends of Philly Zoo Elephants and the Los Angeles Alliance for Elephants.

Learn more about the plight of elephants in zoos and how sanctuaries can provide them with a vastly better quality of life.