Keep Charley the African Savanna Elephant at the Pretoria Zoologigal Garden

Keep Charley the African Savanna Elephant at the Pretoria Zoologigal Garden

Started
26 April 2024
Petition to
Shonisani Munzhedzi (CEO SANBI EXCO) and
Signatures: 1,186Next Goal: 1,500
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by Anonymous Pretoria

Charley, is an African male elephant, who was born in Hwange National Park in 1982, was captured and exported to the Brian Boswell Circus in South Africa in 1984 and was sent to the National Zoological Gardens on the 30th of July 2001.

Since then Charley is the centre of attraction for all the visitors at the Pretoria National Zoological Garden. 

All visitors from far is asking: "Where is Charley?" He is their first stop.

Now SANBI and Minister Creecy wants to relocate him and take opportunities away from children who does not have the means to see elephants in a wildlife reserve.

Several studies were undertaken by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and experts brought from Pro Elephant Network (PREN): "The recent comprehensive medical assessment of Charlie covered haematological and blood chemistry analyses, faecal glucocorticoid metabolites analysis, bronchoalveolar lavage and a trunk wash, radiology of distal extremities, a dental and eye examination, as well as screening for tuberculosis (TB) – all showing that the elephant is in good health." (https://kormorant.co.za/plans-to-retire-loved-pretoria-zoo-elephant-charlie/ (https://www.pretoriazoo.org/sanbi-pursues-options-for-retirement-of-charley-the-african-elephant-at-the-pretoria-national-zoological-garden/

Other studies show that any animal who grew up in captivity do not have a long lifespan if relocated due to stress and other factors (https://www.bbcearth.com/news/can-captive-animals-ever-truly-return-to-the-wild

"Release to the wild is not automatically in the best interests of the animal”

Dr Chris Draper HEAD OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND CAPTIVITY AT BORN FREE

"If we release an elephant by itself it would be more likely to return to the villages and create conflicts. They don’t develop ties to the new forest they are released in and might get scared of other groups of elephants in the region." (https://www.elephantconservationcenter.com/bringing-elephants-back-to-the-wild-a-closer-look/

CAPTIVE/MANAGED ELEPHANTS RELEASED ONTO RESERVES WITH NO INTERACTION /
CONFINEMENT


1. 05 March 2013 - Thandora – elephant cow of 23 years held at Bloemfontein Zoo – moved to
Gondwana Game Reserve, Mossel Bay, Western Cape for release – died June 2013.

Do we need this for a happy, healthy elephant who does not have stress or unnecessary conflict.

If  the biggest concern is that Charley is alone then why can’t we get companionship for him?

Charley needs to stay at the Pretoria National Zoological Garden for the future generations to see an elephant close by and help with the protection of Endangered Species (https://www.iucn.org/news/species/202103/african-elephant-species-now-endangered-and-critically-endangered-iucn-red-list (https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/endangered_species/elephants/african_elephants/

We need to stop this release before Charley is moved for his safety and welfare.

 

Support now
Signatures: 1,186Next Goal: 1,500
Support now
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Decision-Makers

  • Shonisani MunzhedziCEO SANBI EXCO
  • Prof. Edward NesamvuniChairperson South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
  • Minister Barbara CreecyMinister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, South Africa