Humane Society International urges the public to sign a petition to free Lammie
SAXONWOLD – Humane Society International calls for the authorities to close the elephant exhibit at the Johannesburg Zoo.
Animal protection groups including Humane Society International (HSI), the EMS Foundation and Elephant Reintegration Trust have joined hands to persuade Johannesburg Zoo to move Lammie the elephant to a rewilding sanctuary.
HSI urges all its supporters to take action by signing a petition urging authorities to close the elephant sanctuary at the zoo and relocate Lammie.
HSI said they have identified a suitable sanctuary, referred to as a rewilding sanctuary, that is ready and willing to offer Lammie a forever home.
“So far, the zoo has resisted moving Lammie and has even suggested that it may acquire another elephant. This would be a missed opportunity to do the right thing for Lammie, and a mistake, as the zoo is not able to meet the needs elephants have and should not have elephants on exhibit,” said HSI media and outreach manager Leozette Roode.
Spokesperson for the Johannesburg Zoo Jenny Moodley said the rumours about the Joburg Zoo acquiring another elephant are false. “We have not made a decision to secure a companion for Lammie at this stage.” She also said that the zoo has no intention of moving Lammie from the zoo, stating that Lammie would most likely not survive the move since she has lived at the zoo her whole life.
Wildlife director of Humane Society International/Africa Audrey Delsink said, “Elephants are highly intelligent, extremely social, sentient beings with complex family structures and bonds that last a lifetime. Now that Lammie has lost her companion, she is in desperate need of a happier existence and the chance to live out her years with other elephants.
“There is a rewilding sanctuary ready and waiting to offer Lammie a home where she can express normal elephant behaviours. There are many zoos around the world recognising the welfare challenges of keeping elephants, so we’re urging Johannesburg Zoo to make the compassionate decision for Lammie by letting her go to a sanctuary where she can spend the rest of her days with others of her kind and get the level of care that she needs.”
On 6 December, two days after the petition had gone live, 47 524 people had signed the petition. View the petition here
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