UPDATE: Home still sought for retiring 43-year-old Pretoria elephant

After 23 years at the national zoological gardens, the SA national biodiversity institute (SANBI) is looking for a new home for Charley the elephant (42) to retire to.

SANBI spokesperson Nontsikelelo Mpulo said the institution was still evaluating its options for retiring Charley.

“We are still evaluating options.”

The national council of societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (NSPCA) said in a statement it was opposed to the keeping of wildlife in captivity and would continue to work with SANBI to expedite Charley’s retirement with his welfare the main consideration.

“The NSPCA has been advocating for Charley’s removal from the zoo to an accredited sanctuary for a number of years and the council now plays an influential role in the planning of Charley’s retirement,” said NSPCA senior inspector, wildlife protection unit manager Douglas Wolhuter.

“After having been held in captivity for the sole purpose of human entertainment for his entire life, Charley’s retirement will give him the opportunity to live a life that emulates that of a ‘free’ elephant for the very first time.”

Wolhuter said further that captive-held elephants did not live as long as wild elephants.

“Charley is approaching his 43rd birthday and the NSPCA urgently awaits SANBI’s announcement of a retirement date for Charley in the near future.

“We can only imagine what the future holds for Charley after a lifetime of confinement, to a life where he will be relatively ‘free’ to make choices of his own. Charley deserves to experience the company of his own kind, he deserves to be able to express normal behaviour and learn how to fully be an elephant,” Wolhuter said.

SANBI has been mulling “retiring” Charley into wildlife since July last year due to his advanced age.

Charley has been at the zoo for over 22 years and about 20 years in the circus environment.

“The retirement had also included giving Charley the opportunity to have a new partner following the death of Landa in 2020.

Charley is reportedly in good health and the suitable retirement venue for him is in the wild.

On his retirement, SANBI said his comprehensive medical assessment had covered haematological and blood chemistry analyses, faecal glucocorticoid metabolites analysis, bronchoalveolar lavage and a trunk wash, radiology of distal extremities, a dental and eye examination, as well as screening for tuberculosis (TB).

SANBI facilitated requisite pre-release protocols such as psychological and behavioural assessments.

SANBI board chairperson Professor Edward Nesamvuni said: “The date for retirement will be announced once all processes are finalised”.

Several organisations have motivated for the elephant bull to be moved as soon as possible “before he becomes another dreadful statistic”.

Pro Elephant Network (Pren) and EMS Foundations called for the move as concerns for Charley’s health mounted over the years.

It was alleged that he suffered from colic, which could be fatal.

Pren coordinator Stefania Falcon called for an end to Charley’s trauma.

“Zoos are incapable of offering elephants the space they need to stay healthy.”

Falcon said elephants needed to walk great distances and forage for the correct diet.

The members of the two organisations have written several letters to Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy calling for Charley to be afforded adequate healthcare.

DA shadow minister of environment, Dave Bryant said he was delighted that consistent pressure by civil society and the DA had finally resulted in Charley being considered for release from the zoo.

“It is now imperative that the minister look into similar situations elsewhere in the country, including the case of the three elephants currently confined at Johannesburg zoo,” said Bryant.

In October 2020, a 36-year-old elephant cow died at the Pretoria zoo.

Landa was believed to have contracted acute colic and had been part of the Pretoria zoo family since April 1986.

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