Elephant Refuge in Ozark Mountains of Arkansas

Deep in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, a couple established a refuge for elephants gone bad. When elephants got injured, or come down with a disease or develop dangerous behavior, they might have ended up here. Scott and Heidi Riddle established the refuge in 1990 and their refuge accepted any elephant regardless of species, gender, or disposition. The sanctuary closed around 2020 after the death of its last rescued elephant.
This Arkansas elephant sanctuary housed Asian elephants
and African elephants, and both males and females. Elephant care
and management was taught at this elephant haven in the
peaceful Arkansas countryside. Programs included Elephant Experience
Weekends and an annual International School for Elephant Management.
Major goals of the sanctuary included the care of the resident elephant
herd, but also elephant conservation in general, helping to ensure the
long-term survival of these magnificent and highly endangered species.
Video journalist Ed Fillmer spent a couple of days on their refuge in 2001 to tell this story of elephant experts and volunteers who kept elephants gone bad in a peaceful environment.