Roger Williams Park Zoo Will Move Elephants by 2027

The Providence zoo plans to relocate three aging female elephants to a large sanctuary in Tennessee.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Wildlife

Roger Williams Park Zoo Will Move Elephants by 2027

Live Poll

Should local zoos relocate aging animals to sanctuaries for better social environments?

Roger Williams Park Zoo will transfer its three 40-year-old African elephants, Alice, Ginny, and Kate, to a Tennessee sanctuary in late 2027. The zoo intends to cease its elephant program entirely following the move to ensure the animals have social companionship.

Why it matters

The relocation aims to prevent the elephants from eventually living in isolation at the Providence facility. By moving them to a larger habitat, the zoo hopes to provide the animals with better social opportunities as they enter their later years.

The three female African elephants each weigh approximately 5 tons and are roughly 40 years old. A public petition opposing this planned relocation has gathered 572 signatures.

The players

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Located in Providence, this is the current home of the three African elephants.

The Elephant Sanctuary

This facility in Tennessee spans 3,060 acres and serves as the destination for the elephants.

The details

Zoo officials plan to have the elephants meet their new caretakers ahead of the move, while current staff will continue to provide care in Tennessee for a period after the transfer. The move follows the zoo's decision to discontinue its elephant program, with the animals moving to a 3,060-acre sanctuary habitat.

The elephants originally arrived at the zoo around 1986.
The zoo officially announced the relocation plan in June 2026.
A petition opposing the transfer was posted online on July 31, 2026.
The relocation of the elephants is expected to occur in late 2027.

Culture Shift

This move mirrors a broader shift in modern zoology that prioritizes naturalistic, expansive habitats over traditional urban zoo enclosures. Such transitions reflect an industry-wide move toward enhancing animal welfare by ensuring long-term social companionship for aging species.

The transition will permanently remove the elephant exhibit from the Providence zoo experience for local families and visitors. Residents who wish to advocate for the animals or monitor the transition process can follow the zoo's public updates leading up to the 2027 move.

The takeaway

The decision to relocate these animals underscores the complex logistical and ethical considerations involved in managing aging zoo populations. Future updates from the zoo will provide clarity on the specific transition procedures and the final schedule for the move.