The last elephant in South Africa’s national zoo has been released back into the wild after 40 years of captivity.
The elephant, named Charlie, was captured in 1984 from Zimbabwe’s Hwange national park when he was two years old.
He was taken to Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa and trained to perform tricks. In the early 2000s he was transferred to the country’s national zoo.
In recent years, animal welfare groups have pushed for the elephant to be freed due to concern for his health.
It said the “historic event” followed years of negotiation with the South African government, after EMS Foundation and its partners provided scientific evidence to show that elephants suffer in zoos.
The elephant’s new home is a 10,000-hectare reserve with a thriving population of elephants, known to successfully reintegrate animals back into the wild.
While there, Charlie will be closely monitored by veterinary and behavioural experts.
Source: BBC
