Pretoria Zoo elephant relocated to Limpopo reserve

Charley, an African elephant from Pretoria Zoo, has been relocated to a reserve near Vaalwater in Limpopo to carry out the rest of his years.

Charley arrived at his new temporary abode, a boma at the 10 000-hectare Shambala Private Game Reserve, on Monday.

Leaving the zoo was challenging due to a passionate display by protesters who wanted Charley to stay, says the vet from Four Paws who oversaw the relocation, Dr Amir Khalil.

“We understand the emotional response from the caretakers, and we are sure that once they can see him in a natural habitat, with the proper space appropriate for an elephant, they may feel differently for Charley and his future,” says Khalil.

He says that once on the open road, the journey to the reserve went smoothly.

“When the crate was in place, Charley walked out calmly and started to explore his boma. Charley had a good first night and is being monitored by the team of experts,” says Khalil.

The global animal welfare organisation Four Paws, Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation and Shambala Private Game Reserve worked together to ensure the 42-year-old African elephant’s retirement.

The transition marks the first phase in a new chapter of Charley’s life.

He will be sheltered in the boma before being given the freedom of the reserve.

“We are so pleased to have been able to partner and collaborate with Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation and Shambala Private Reserve and provide our expertise and support for the retirement of Charley so that he [can] live out his golden years in freedom in a natural species-appropriate environment,” says Fiona Miles, director at Four Paws South Africa.

She also thanked Narend Singh, the deputy minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, for the department’s support and assistance during Charley’s relocation.

Charley was born in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

Captured as a youngster along with nine other elephants, he was imported by the Boswell Wilkie Circus in 1984.

For 16 years, he performed in the circus before being transferred to the Natal Lion Park in May 2000. He arrived at the Zoo on July 30, 2001.

Over the past 23 years, Charley has witnessed the deaths of his four elephant companions and has shown signs of distress, including repetitive head-swaying, a behaviour commonly found in captivity.

Experts designed a comprehensive relocation plan to ensure an optimal transition for Charley’s retirement.

Located three hours from the zoo, the reserve has a proven track record of successfully reintegrating captive elephants into the wild.

Since 2015, it has rehabilitated and released elephants previously used for elephant-back safaris and is now home to a thriving population of elephants.

“This retirement is an important milestone for Charley, but also for better animal welfare in South Africa.

“We strive for sustainable long-term solutions, advocate for the most favourable legal framework protecting wild animals and improve the lives of as many animals as possible,” says Four Paws chief executive officer and president Josef Pfabigan.