Charley the elephant has finally made it to his ‘retirement home’ where he’ll spend his golden years after a lifetime of waiting for freedom:
Limpopo, South Africa (20 August 2024) — Last month, we shared the long-awaited news that Charley the elephant (also known as Charlie) was finally on his way to freedom and retirement after decades in captivity. A recent update informs that Charley’s relocation has been a success!
The news of Charley’s plans for freedom came as music to many ears of advocates who had been fighting long and hard for the 44-year-old elephant.
Born in Hwange National Park, Charley was captured as a young elephant along with nine others. In 1984, he was imported by the Boswell Circus, where, for 16 long years, he would perform in the circus.
In the early 2000s, he was transferred to the National Zoological Gardens, where he remained for the next 23 years.
When Charley’s story began garnering attention in the past few years, many raised their voices to support his freedom and relocation. There were petitions, letters to Environmental Ministers, and public outcries. At the helm of the ship supporting Charley were The Pro Elephant Network, the EMS Foundation, and FOUR PAWS, with many of these teams having put decades of work into freeing the elephant.
By 2023, the odds had turned in Charley’s favour when SANBI announced that Charley was going to retire at last. But, this was only the beginning of good news for his golden years; the actual relocation still needed to happen!
Relocation plans were designed by FOUR PAWs to make sure that the famous bull got the best and smoothest transition. The plan was that he would head to Shambala Private Game Reserve in Limpopo—a 10,000-hectare space where elephants are known to successfully reintegrate back into the wild and thrive together in the area. Of course, relocating an elephant of Charley’s age is no small task, but incredible people came together to make sure it would be the beginning of a happy ending.
And, as of today, FOUR PAWS is beaming with joy to report that Charley’s relocation has been a success!
Dr Amir Khalil, who made sure Charley got to his ‘retirement home’ safely, shares:
“Charley underwent crate training at his enclosure before his relocation. This process ensured Charley’s safe and stress-free transport. His further rehabilitation commences now that Charley is safely in his new home.”
Leaving the zoo wasn’t easy. As Dr Khalil reflects, there was an emotional response from the caretakers who did not want to see him go.
However, Dr Khalil adds: “We are sure that once they can see him in a natural habitat with the proper space appropriate for an elephant they may feel differently.”
Once on the open road, the transport to the reserve went smoothly, and soon, Charley walked out as cool as a cucumber to explore his new boma. His first night is said to have been a good one, and he is being monitored by a team of experts to ensure his well-being as he settles into his acclimation period.
“This retirement is an important milestone for elephant Charley but also for better animal welfare in South Africa. Together with our partners, we have been working tirelessly to end the loneliness of elephant Charley to see him thrive in his new species appropriate home. At FOUR PAWS, we strive for sustainable long-term solutions, advocate for the most favourable legal framework protecting wild animals and improve the lives of as many animals as possible,” shares FOUR PAWS CEO and President Josef Pfabigan.
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