Backlash as court rules ‘distressed’ elephants must remain at Johannesburg Zoo
· The South African
The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that three elephants – Lammie, Mopane and Ramadiba – must remain in captivity at the Johannesburg Zoo, for now. The news has been met with backlash by animal activists, political parties and the public, who have voiced their concerns over the animals’ mental and physical well-being.
BACKLASH AS COURT RULES THREE ELEPHANTS MUST REMAIN IN CAPTIVITY
Last week, the Gauteng division of the High Court in Pretoria dismissed an application by an animal welfare group to relocate and rewild the three elephants held in captivity at the Johannesburg Zoo to a sanctuary in Limpopo.
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The court ruled that the animals will remain at the zoo under their existing permits. The application was dismissed primarily because of legal and procedural issues.
In their bid, the group – consisting of the EMS Foundation, Animal Law Reform South Africa and Khoi chief Stephen Fritz – argued that animals had shown signs of “psychological stress”
The application detailed claimed that the elephants have limited shade, insufficient space, minimal stimulation, inadequate food quality and variety, and safety risks.
The City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo initially responded to the bid, stating that the elephants were healthy, properly cared for, and suitable for life in captivity. The zoo raised concerns about whether relocating animals accustomed to captivity would necessarily improve their welfare.
In a statement, the EMS Foundation expressed its “deep disapproval” of the court’s judgment.
It shared: “[The court’s ruling] should not be represented as a finding that the applicants’ welfare concerns were disproved. The court did not resolve the contested expert evidence about the elephants’ well-being or determine that they are thriving in captivity.
“The immediate consequence is that Lammie, Mopane and Ramadiba remain at the Zoo. The concerns that prompted this litigation – including the effects of confinement on their psychological well-being and their ability to live in ways appropriate to their species – remain unresolved. Animal well-being must translate into meaningful protection”.
They intend to appeal the ruling to keep the elephants
The animal activists referenced their recent victory in the Constitutional Court, which upheld legal provisions recognising that animals’ well-being includes their mental health, quality of life and ability to cope with their environment.
JOHANNESBURG ZOO: ‘AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOUNTER WILDLIFE’
In a statement, the Johannesburg Zoo welcomed the High Court’s judgment dismissing the application seeking the release of Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane, which it claims are being held under valid and legal permits.
The zoo is committed to prioritising the well-being of the elephants through their caregivers and the veterinary team based on site.
The zoo also emphasised the significance of offering the public “an opportunity to encounter wildlife”, which they believe had educational and conservation benefits.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Managing Director, Thanduxolo Mendrew said: “That encounter carries a wider responsibility: to deepen respect for animals, explain the pressures facing species in the wild and inspire care for the natural world. Accessible conservation learning must be matched by professional animal care
“JCPZ recognises the public concern for animal welfare surrounding this matter and remains committed to respectful engagement, transparency and continued improvement in the care of the animals at the zoo”.