Court to Decide Future of South Africa's Last Zoo Elephants

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Johannesburg: A South African court is set to decide whether the last three elephants kept in a traditional urban zoo in Africa should be moved to a wildlife sanctuary following a legal challenge by animal welfare groups.

Campaigners argue that the elephants, named Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane, are suffering in captivity and should be relocated to a rewilding sanctuary where they can live in a more natural environment. They say the animals show signs of distress and that their current conditions are harming their wellbeing.

The case, backed by international elephant experts, was heard in May, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has opposed the application, saying the elephants receive proper care, have recently been declared healthy and are well suited to life in captivity. Zoo officials also argue that keeping the animals allows schoolchildren and visitors to learn about wildlife and supports research and conservation efforts.

Animal welfare groups reject those claims, saying elephants require far more space than any zoo can provide and that educational value does not justify keeping them in captivity.

The legal challenge follows the successful relocation of another elephant from Pretoria's national zoo to a private reserve in 2024. The three elephants in Johannesburg are believed to be the last living in a traditional urban zoo setting anywhere in Africa.

Pic Credit: AFP