The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Asian elephant Shirley at age 72. Shirley retired to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in 1999 after spending 24 years in the circus and another 22 years as the sole elephant on exhibition at the Louisiana Purchase Zoo and Gardens in Monroe, LA.

At 72 years old, Shirley defied all odds as one of the oldest elephants in captivity and lived well beyond the life expectancy for a captive Asian elephant. Shirley was The Sanctuary's oldest elephant and, at the time of her passing, held the record for the second oldes...