The last elephant in South Africa’s national zoo, named Charlie, has been released into the wild after 40 years of captivity. Captured in 1984 from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park at age two, Charlie was initially trained for circus performances before spending recent years in the national zoo.
Animal welfare groups had long advocated for Charlie’s release due to concerns about his well-being. On Tuesday, EMS Foundation announced that after a “four-hour trip to freedom,” Charlie arrived at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo province. This “historic event” followed extensive negotiations and evidence provided by EMS Foundation and partners about the suffering of elephants in captivity.
Charlie witnessed the deaths of four other elephants at the zoo, including his own calf. Despite the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s claims that Charlie’s distress was due to past circus behavior, welfare groups disagreed.
The new reserve spans 10,000 hectares and has a thriving elephant population. Charlie will be monitored by experts and is expected to gradually reintegrate into the wild. Dr. Amir Khalil, who led the transfer, noted positive signs of Charlie’s adaptation and anticipated that he would gradually adjust to his new environment.
In addition to this release, EMS Foundation is also challenging the captivity of three elephants in Johannesburg Zoo and addressing broader concerns about elephant welfare in South Africa.
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