But from the moment Tarra the elephant met Bella the dog, they were inseparable. The Elephant Sanctuary south of Nashville is more than 2, acres of freedom for elephants. But for a resident named Tarra, there's not enough room in Tennessee to escape the bad news she got last week. Pictures: Unlikely friendship of Tarra and Bella. Tarra displayed all the symptoms you'd expect to see in someone who lost a good friend - which is exactly what happened.

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Hohenwald, Tennessee, south of Nashville, lies in an area of forests, lakes, and rolling fields. All of the elephants currently living at the Sanctuary were originally taken from their herds in the wild when they were infants. Most come to the Elephant Sanctuary after years of performing in circuses and other entertainment venues. Many arrive with chronic illnesses or unresolved injuries. All have suffered from inadequate care, poor housing, isolation, and stress.

Tragedy struck a pair of unlikely friends who had captured the hearts of caretakers and animal lovers. Last week, Bella was believed to have been attacked by coyotes and died, leaving Tarra to mourn the loss of her best friend. Bella and Tarra played and ate together, and often had sleepovers in a barn, according to the Leavenworth Times. Sanctuary caretakers believe Tarra found Bella's body after the attack and carried her to the spot they often spent time together.