Pretoria – Ageing African Elephant Charlie is being prepared for retirement at a suitable wildlife sanctuary.
The EMS Foundation on Monday said the South African government agreed to pursue options for the retirement of African Elephant Charlie from the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria to a suitable wildlife sanctuary or similar setting.
African Elephant Charlie is 44 years old.
Narrating events leading to the retirement agreement, the EMS Foundation said: “On the 17th of May 2023, interested parties were publicly requested to submit proposals in response to an advertised call for an Expression of Interest to find Charlie a suitable retirement home”.
Michele Pickover, Executive Director of the EMS Foundation, confirmed that Shambala Private Game Reserve and the EMS Foundation had submitted an extensive response to the government call, which was accepted in March 2024.
Pickover noted that because of Charlie’s advanced age, the programme, which includes the preparation for his relocation to a naturally secured environment, is not without risk.
“In preparation for Charlie’s new life the EMS Foundation and Shambala are partnering with a highly qualified and experienced team of international elephant trainers and South African and international veterinarians,” said Pickover.
“This significant undertaking has been supported by elephant experts from the Pro Elephant Network from its inception in 2020.”
The programme lead, Megan Carr, stated that their international experts are gently and cautiously preparing Charlie for his departure from the Pretoria Zoo.
When Charlie is ready, the team, including South African translocation specialists, will transfer him to Shambala, Africa’s first state-of-the-art extensive release area.
At Shambala, Charlie will be cared for by international and South African veterinarians and elephant behaviour experts.
The stated mission of The EMS Foundation is the advancement and protection of the rights and general welfare of wild animals, children, elderly persons, and other vulnerable groups in South Africa and Africa, to alleviate suffering, disrupt inequality in all of its forms, raising public awareness, empowering and providing dignity.
