Freedom at last: ex-circus and zoo elephant returns to the wild after 40 years
Charlie the elephant was being held in South Africa’s national zoo, but was finally freed after the country’s government reviewed scientific evidence that showed elephants suffer in zoos and that they do not belong in captivity.
Charlie at the zoo during the rescue. Credit: EMS Foundation
An elephant who spent over 40 years in captivity has been released back into the wild.
Campaigners had long called for the release of Charlie, a 42-year-old African elephant, who was being kept alone at South Africa’s national zoo.
He was originally born in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, where he was taken from the wild at a young age and imported into South Africa by the Boswell Circus back in 1984.
Charlie spent over 15 years being forced to perform in the circus before being transferred to the zoo in 2001. At the zoo, he witnessed the premature deaths of three elephant companions, as well as the loss of his daughter when she was less than a month old.
Animal welfare groups had highlighted how Charlie was showing signs of distress including repetitive head-swaying, a behavior commonly found in captivity.
Now, after what rescuers called a “nail-biting” four hour trip, Charlie the elephant has arrived safely at his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo Province.
Members of the rescue team feeding Charlie. Credit: EMS Foundation
The reserve covers almost 10,000 hectares and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna including a thriving population of elephants. It also has a proven track record of successfully reintegrating captive elephants back into the wild, including elephants who were previously used for elephant-riding safaris.
“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 EMS Foundation, one of the groups involved in the rescue, said in a statement.
Charlie in his bespoke transport cage arriving at the reserve. Credit: EMS Foundation
The historic rescue is the result of years of negotiation with the South African government. The EMS Foundation says it provided scientific evidence to the government that elephants suffer in zoos and that they do not belong in captivity.
Charlie was the last elephant in South Africa’s only national zoo, and the first to be released back into nature. The EMS Foundation confirmed that the zoo’s elephant “exhibit” will now be permanently closed.
“This retirement is an important milestone for elephant Charlie but also for better animal welfare in South Africa”, said Josef Pfabigan, CEO of FOUR PAWS, who also collaborated on the rescue. “Together with our partners, we have been working tirelessly to end the loneliness of elephant Charlie to see him thrive in his new species appropriate home.”
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