Charlie, the elephant who once entertained at the Boswell Wilkie Circus and previous resident of Pretoria Zoo, has embarked on a new journey.
Unsplash/Tshedza Muvhango
After a prolonged struggle for freedom, he has been relocated from the Pretoria Zoo to the Shambala Private Reserve.
His time at a national zoo also raised concerns for his well-being, and the quest for his release from these close confines has been a long journey. Several institutions, including the EMS Foundation and South Africa-based Pro Elephant Network (PREN), have negotiated to secure his freedom.
Their concerns were heard in July 2024, when the South African government declared the elephant retired and relocated to a nature reserve. The EMS Foundation has commented on this massive win and hopes Charlie will learn to integrate and thrive in his new surroundings:
“Our dream is that at his own pace, Charlie will learn to be the elephant he was always meant to be, and that soon, he will meet up and integrate into the existing elephant community on Shambala.”
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