MUST READ: NSPCA says they received mixed reports regarding the Joburg Zoo’s intention to acquire another elephant

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) says it will take legal action against the Johannesburg Zoo following information that they intend to bring in another elephant in the immediate future.

UPDATE:

Head of the Johannesburg Zoo Lombard Shirindzi said, “This information is news to us. The NSPCA has information that we as custodians of the zoo do not have.”

“We are still assessing the situation with Lammie and have not yet reached a decision… We will do everything within the legal framework of the environmental legislation.”

Shirindzi said he is uncertain where the NSPCA received this information, which he said is false.

Trade and trafficking portfolio manager for the NSPCA Karen Trendler said, “We have been receiving mixed reports from the zoo and felt it was necessary to take action before the elephant arrives. The Johannesburg Zoo has not played open book with us in the past.”

Trendler said that she has received enough information from sources to take action, although she was not willing to disclose these sources.

“We have resigned from the ethics committee because the Johannesburg Zoo does not play open book with us.”

She said that the NSPCA sent a letter to the zoo stating that if they are going to get another elephant in the imminent future, the NSPCA will launch an interdict. Trendler said that if this is not the case, the NSPCA will go through normal processes.

EARLIER:

Male elephant Kinkel died (read more here) in September last year, leaving their only remaining elephant – Lammie – alone in the enclosure, where she has lived her whole life.

Kinkel’s death sparked a number of protests (read more here) by activists and community members demanding that the zoo release Lammie from the captive environment and place her in an elephant sanctuary.

According to a statement by the NSPCA released on 17 January, “The captive environment for elephants at any zoo, including the Johannesburg Zoo, is detrimental to any elephant’s wellbeing.”

The NSPCA further stated that they had addressed a legal communication to the Joburg Zoo informing them that if they are to obtain another elephant, they would launch an application in the High Court to interdict this action.

Trade and trafficking portfolio manager at the NSPCA Karen Trendler said, “It is impossible to fulfil the basic five freedoms for elephants in captivity, from environmental requirements to social needs – a life in this zoo that is conducive to the elephants’ welfare is unattainable and it would be completely irresponsible of the Johannesburg Zoo to continue to deprive elephants of a good life.”

The NSPCA said that international standards outline the need for replicating the physical and social norms of elephants to ensure their welfare is sufficiently catered for in captivity. According to the NSPCA, experts have said that elephants should be kept in social groups of no less than four elephants, which the Johannesburg Zoo is not equipped for.

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Joburg Zoo says they have no intention of moving Lammie out of the zoo