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The Last Trio: S.Africa's Zoo Elephants Await their Fate
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

The Last Trio: S.Africa's Zoo Elephants Await their Fate

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Animal welfare campaigners are seeking the release of South Africa's last three zoo elephants to a sanctuary.
  • The elephants, aged 26 to 47, are reportedly distressed and depressed in their Johannesburg Zoo enclosure.
  • A court ruling is expected soon, following a previous successful campaign to release an elephant from Pretoria's national zoo.

The fate of the last three elephants in a traditional South African zoo hangs in the balance as animal welfare campaigners petition courts for their release into a sanctuary. The elephants, Lammie (47), Ramadiba (28), and Mopane (26), are the sole remaining elephants housed in an urban zoo setting on the African continent, according to the EMS Foundation, which is part of the legal bid.

These elephants are highly intelligent, socially complex and sentient beings who are living in conditions that are damaging to their well-being, and who are, as a result, in a state of distress.

— Parties behind the caseDescribing the elephants' condition and well-being.

Campaigners argue that the elephants are intelligent, socially complex beings suffering from distress and depression due to their confined conditions. They presented their case in May, urging the court to authorize the trio's immediate transfer to a suitable sanctuary for rehabilitation. Judgment is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Johannesburg Zoo officials, however, contend that the elephants are well-cared for and suited to captive life, particularly Lammie, who was born at the facility. A city parks spokeswoman confirmed the animals are in good health, with dedicated keepers and enrichment activities designed to encourage natural behaviors. The zoo also emphasizes the educational and research opportunities the elephants provide to the public, especially schoolchildren from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The court should 'authorize their immediate release to a suitable sanctuary... where they can rehabilitate'.

— Parties behind the caseThe campaigners' request to the court.

This legal challenge follows a successful campaign in 2024 that resulted in the release of a 42-year-old elephant from Pretoria's national zoo into a private reserve after four decades in captivity. The outcome of the current case could set another precedent for the welfare of large, intelligent animals in urban zoos across South Africa.

They are the last three elephants showcased within an exhibition in a traditional zoo-type setting in South Africa and Africa.

— Megan CarrHighlighting the unique status of the elephants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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