In a charming moment captured at a Thai elephant sanctuary, a young elephant enthusiastically approached a visitor for a cuddle, offering a playful interaction that delighted everyone watching The video shows a woman seated on the muddy ground when, unexpectedly, a baby elephant bounds over, eager to make her acquaintance. The audience can’t help but laugh as the calf cozily settles on her lap. A bystander comments that the woman seems to be enjoying the unusual encounter. However, the calf’s boundless energy keeps it moving around, occasionally shifting in ways that look a little uncomfortable for the woman. She smiles and strokes the baby elephant as it readjusts onto her thighs, embracing the affectionate moment. But when the calf rolls backward onto her shins, she lets out a soft “ow,” prompting a nearby person to step in and lend a hand. Unperturbed, the little elephant soon rolls f...
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The future of Lammie, the last African elephant at Johannesburg Zoo, is under scrutiny following losing her male companion to illness in September.
Many advocate for her relocation to a larger sanctuary to prevent her from spending her final years alone.
This debate is particularly poignant given elephants’ known intelligence, strong social bonds, and emotional depth. The zoo has announced that Lammie will remain, with efforts underway to find her a new mate.
Lammie’s situation parallels Happy, an Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo in New York, who has lived alone in her enclosure for over a decade.
While some activists push for Happy’s transfer to a sanctuary, the zoo maintains she is healthy and has established bonds with her caretakers and the other elephants.
For 17 years, Lammie shared her life with Kinkel, a rescued male elephant. Since his death on September 4, she has been solitary, prompting some conservation groups to argue for her relocation.
Audrey Delsink, wildlife director of Humane Society International/Africa, emphasized that Lammie deserves a chance to live among other elephants in a more suitable environment.
She pointed out that many zoos are reevaluating the welfare implications of keeping such complex animals in captivity.
The South African NSPCA has also called for an end to the confinement of elephants, stressing the need for humane treatment.
The zoo argues that it plays an important educational role, particularly for low-income visitors who may not have access to wildlife parks.
However, Michele Pickover, director of the EMS Foundation, criticized the educational value of observing a distressed elephant, suggesting that documentaries would provide a more informative experience.
In the wild, elephants face significant threats from poaching for ivory, underscoring the urgency of their protection.
The Johannesburg Zoo hopes to find another elephant for Lammie, adhering to guidelines set by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Spokeswoman Jenny Moodley noted that Lammie is being closely monitored, as introducing her to a new environment may pose challenges.
“She is coping incredibly well, considering that she has lost her partner,” Moodley remarked. However, Lammie did show signs of distress following Kinkel’s death, refusing to eat and attempting to help him in his final moments.
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