Nicole, the Asian elephant, has moved from the San Antonio Zoo in San Antonio, Texas, to live her remaining years at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in Hohenwald, Tenn. Soon to be 48, Nicole was part of San Antonio Zoo's Asian elephant geriatric herd, lovingly remembered as The Golden Girls.

“We are going to miss Nicole dearly,” said Tim Morrow, president and chief executive officer of the San Antonio Zoo. “We are grateful for the years she spent with us as one of the Golden Girls. She and Karen bonded beyond expectations with Lucky and inspired visitors to care for and want to protect elephants from extinction.”

With the help of her animal care team at San Antonio Zoo, Nicole has spent the last month acclimating to a climate-controlled crate, which she will be transported in during her 800-mile journey to Tennessee. A veterinarian and support staff will accompany her on the trip.

Nicole’s new home, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, was founded in 1995 and is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

While elephants may be leaving San Antonio Zoo for now, the facility has plans to expand the previously occupied space into a world-class elephant habitat.

“We are currently in the largest growth period our 108-year-old zoo has ever seen, and elephants are a big part of our future plan,” said Morrow. “An inspiring new entrance will be opened later this year, with the largest gorilla habitat in the U.S. coming shortly after. Inspiring our community through education and conservation will continue to be our focus as we look to the next 100 years of securing a future for wildlife and wild places in Texas and worldwide."

Planning is underway to join the current elephant and giraffe habitats, allowing the Zoo to add more giraffes and other species to an expanded savanna. Until that construction begins, five Bactrian camels will move into that space shortly after Nicole's departure.

Photo Credit: © San Antonio Zoo

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