Protesters at Joburg Zoo demand freedom for Lammie the elephant
The 39-year-old has lived her entire life in captivity and is now alone following the death of her mate Kinkel.
Kinkel was very much liked by visitors. His enclosure was one of the most visited at the Zoo.
A picket is taking place on Thursday afternoon at the Johannesburg Zoo with protesters calling for the release of Lammie the elephant.
Concerned environmental activists said Lammie should be released into a wildlife sanctuary, as she is now alone following the death of her mate Kinkel earlier this year.
Lammie has lived her entire life in captivity so far.
WATCH: A lawful picket is underway outside the Johannesburg Zoo today, 20 September, as a call to release Lammie the elephant into a wildlife sanctuary. Sandton Chronicle journalist, Sarah Koning is on scene to capture the action.https://t.co/uNDOhT1lTk
— Sandton Chronicle (@Sandton_News) September 20, 2018
Even South Africa’s Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, better known for fighting for Palestinian freedom got involved.
Animals lives matter.
Lammie the lone Elephant, has been in @JoburgParksZoo for 39 years.#FreeLammie pic.twitter.com/OjSj2UNVFN
— #Africa4Palestine (@Africa4Pal) September 20, 2018
A Plea to the Johannesburg Zoo to release lonely Lammie the Elephant. https://t.co/mJ5khLzHru
— Liezel Burger (@LiezelBurg) September 20, 2018
Kinkel, a 35-year-old male elephant, died unexpectedly at the beginning of September after a short illness, Rosebank Killarney Gazette reported at the time.
MMC for community development Nonhlanhla Sifumba said: “Staff worked late on Monday night and Kinkel was supervised throughout the night by his keeper, Alice [Masombuko], but yesterday morning sadly lost his battle.”
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His companion Lammie, who recently turned 39, restlessly nudged Kinkel in the hope that he would show signs of recovery.
Masombuko said that Lammie’s grief was tangible as she paced up and down their once shared enclosure following Kinkel’s death.
Distraught at the unexpected loss of one of her favourite animals, Masombuko cried as she kissed her friend goodbye: “It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to one of our friends. All the elephant keepers have lost a good friend and brother.”
Sifumba said that staff who looked after Kinkel will receive counselling as they were all very emotional about the sudden loss.
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