Joburg Zoo insists all processes were followed to obtain two new elephants
SAXONWOLD – Officials from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo reassured residents that the stringent processes of moving the elephants to the zoo have been followed.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has reassured residents that it followed all the necessary processes to obtain two new elephants at the Johannesburg Zoo.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo and the MMC for Community Development Nonhlanhla Sifumba hosted a press briefing at the zoo one day after the elephants arrived.
The NSPCA said that the two elephants, Ramadiba, a 22-year-old male and Mopani, a 19-year-old female, would be ‘condemned to imprisonment’. The elephants will be joining Lammie, who lost her partner Kinkel at the end of last year. Ramadiba and Mopani were previously in a captive environment in the Eastern Cape.
In a statement released by the NSPCA, they said, “In spite of the NSPCA addressing legal communications to the Johannesburg Zoo and enquiries with the permitting official, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, two elephants were relocated to the Johannesburg Zoo on 12 June 2019.”
City Parks and Zoo have addressed the concerns of the NSPCA and said that they have followed rigorous regulations to ensure that the entire process was completed correctly and above board. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo spokesperson Jenny Moodley said that the NSCPA’s stance was unfortunate as they had been made aware of the zoo’s intention to get two new elephants.
In order to obtain the elephants, the zoo had to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the National Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants, Gauteng Nature Conservation Ordinance and the Gauteng Zoological Gardens Stocking Rate Policy for elephant management, and follows a stringent code of ethics outlined by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Piet Lesiba Malepa, the manager for animal welfare at the zoo, explained that the process of deciding whether or not they could get another elephant to join Lammie began shortly after Kinkel died. He explained that as these animals are social creatures, it was important for Lammie to have company.
He explained that Lammie was monitored after Kinkel’s death to ensure that she was coping with his loss. Toward the end of November, they began engaging with authorities to find if there would be any elephants that could join her.
Following Kinkel’s death, there was an outcry from animal rights groups, demanding that Lammie be released. Bryne Maduka, the managing director of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, said that they have engaged with the animal rights groups.
“If they are unhappy with having elephants at the zoo they need to follow the process of petitioning council.”
Maduka said that there were about 300 000 signatures on a petition to have Lammie moved out of the zoo, however, he said that many of these people might not have even been to the zoo, which is why it is important to follow the council process and speak to people within the community.
The current elephant enclosure is being made larger. The rhino enclosure, which is next to the elephant enclosure, is being moved and the elephant enclosure will include the rhino enclosure.
Share your thoughts on the new elephants on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page
Related Articles:
Update: Joburg Zoo ecstatic after the arrival of their ‘two tons of fun’ [VIDEO]
