FLORA

Birthday: March 3, 1982
Birthplace: Zimbabwe, Africa
Birth status: Wild born, orphaned when she was 2
Current Height: 8' 9"
Current Weight: 10,125 lbs.
Favorite Food: Watermelon
Current Status: Residing at a sanctuary in TN

Flora was born in Zimbabwe on the African continent at a time when the elephant population was being decimated by ivory poachers and government sanctioned cullings. Flora lost her mother and her entire family, and was relocated to the United States where she was purchased by and elephant broker.

Upon her arrival in America, Flora was adopted by David Balding, who became her guardian and surrogate "mother". Flora soon found herself at the center of a circus that still bares her name. Flora performed in the circus for over 18 years, and while an assortment of human and animal friends provided a sense of a family life, David soon realized that she needed to be with other elephants.

In 2001, Ahali Elephants was formed and acquired Flora, who was then moved from the circus to Miami's MetroZoo, where she could be with other African elephants. Flora resided in Miami for nearly two-years, while Ahali executed a global search for the ideal elephant-retirement home. In 2004, a 300 acre sanctuary for Asian elephants in Tennessee expanded to 2,700 acres to provide room for African elephants. It was a dream come true for us all who had been searching for the right place for Flora to live out her life.

Ahali Elephants has an ongoing commitment to fundraise and provide for Flora's care at the sanctuary. We established Flora's Endowment Fund in 2001 and have raised over $100,000 to date.

If you are interested in ways to help support Flora please visit our donation page.