Elephant residing in Argentina finally secures her long-awaited liberation
In the heart of South America, a significant milestone was achieved in the world of animal conservation. Kenya, the last captive elephant in Argentina, has found a new home at the Global Sanctuary for Elephants in Brazil, marking the end of 136 years of elephant captivity in Argentina's second largest country.
Kenya, an Asian male elephant, spent his entire life in captivity at the Ecopark of Mendoza City. Purchased at the age of four in 1984, he lived alone, a deeply gregarious species, in the Mendoza Zoo. The Mendoza Zoo, once a hub for captive wildlife, closed in 2016 and was transformed into the Ecopark, a centre designed for the conservation of endangered native species without keeping them in captivity.
The relocation of Kenya was made possible by a 2016 Argentine law that mandated the closure of zoos and the relocation of exotic animals to sanctuaries or rescue centres. This law was a beacon of hope for elephants like Kenya, who carried psychological wounds from their past, including being victims of "selective culls" during the 20th century.
Veterinarian Johanna Rincon, who worked closely with Kenya, found hope in the sadness of captive elephants. She learned to interpret Kenya's gestures and established a respectful relationship with him. Despite not showing signs of enjoyment or playfulness in the last three years of working with her, Kenya's behaviour drastically changed upon arrival at the sanctuary. She frolicked, bathed, and rolled in the red earth, behaviours that were absent in her captive life.
Sadly, Kenya's journey was not without loss. Tamy, another Asian male elephant who had completed his rehabilitation process, died just a few weeks before Kenya's trip this year. Pelusa, the first elephant selected for relocation, died in 2018 just days before her transfer to the Global Sanctuary for Elephants. African elephant Kuky passed away in 2024 while waiting for international permits for relocation and cross-border travel. Merry, an Asian elephant kept in a private zoo who performed in a circus, died in 2024.
The Franz Weber Foundation, an organization working towards the liberation of elephants in other countries, with a particular focus on those still in captivity in Switzerland, is not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, such organizations are often animal welfare groups or elephant advocacy organizations, dedicated to the liberation of captive elephants worldwide.
The transport crate for the elephants is designed with a restraint system to keep them comfortable and safe during their journey. Closing the crate can be a tense moment for the elephants, but Kenya responded favourably to the confinement.
Kenya is now connecting with her neighbour Pupy and showing signs of healing, such as exercising more, hiking hillsides, and rolling in the mud. Haudet, director of the Mendoza Ecopark, believes that people need to understand that what they saw at the zoo wasn't an elephant, but just an appearance of one.
The average age of a healthy elephant in the wild is between 60 and 70 years, but for elephants forced into captivity, this average significantly decreases. The Franz Weber Foundation continues its work towards the liberation of captive elephants, providing a beacon of hope for these majestic creatures, ensuring they can live out their days in freedom and peace.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
