Finally, and 30 years after democracy, the last elephant in South Africa's only national zoo has been freed.
After a nail-biting a trip lasting four hours towards freedom, the EMS Foundation has announce that Elephant Charlie has arrived at his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo.
Charlie, aged 42, is the last elephant in South Africa's only national zoo, and the first to be released back into nature. In addition, the zoo's elephant "exhibit" will be permanently closed.
This historic event is a result of years of negotiation with the South African government after the EMS Foundation (through its Towards Freedom Programme) and the Pro Elephant Network provided scientific evidence that elephants suffer in zoos and that they do not belong in captivity.
“The EMS Foundation would like to express appreciation to all the government officials concerned and to Barbara Creecy, the former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, and to Deputy Minister Narend Singh for their unwavering support of this project and for putting Charlie's interests first,” it said in a statement.
“We also thank Four Paws International for providing the highly skilled and dedicated international veterinary and elephant welfare team, without whom this project would not have been possible. Our deep appreciation is also extended to WeWild Africa for their amazing and vital support and logistical help.”
In the zoo, Charlie watched three of his friends die prematurely. He also lost his daughter when she was less than a month old. We hope that his rebirth onto his new land and new life will go some way to healing his wounds.
Going forward, the EMS Foundation, Shambala and partnering veterinary and behavioural experts will be closely monitoring and supporting Charlie.
“Our Dream is that at his own pace, Charlie will learn to be the elephant he was always meant to be, and that soon, he will meet up and integrate into the existing elephant community on Shambala,” the statement further read.
Charlie has been in captivity for 40 years. He was captured form his family in Hwange, Zimbabwe when he was only approximately two years old.
He was sold to Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa and used in the circus to perform tricks. In 2001 he was moved to the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria, South Africa.
The EMS Foundation was established by Tjaart and Louis Steyn and named in honour and recognition of their mother Elizabeth Margaret Steyn.
Its mission is the advancement and protection of the rights and general welfare of wild animals, children, elderly persons and other vulnerable groups in South Africa and Africa, to alleviate suffering, disrupting inequality in all of its forms, raising public awareness, empowering and providing dignity.