Looks like Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane, Joburg Zoo’s elephants, will remain at the facility for now.
This is after Friday’s High Court judgement dismissed a case brought jointly by Animal Law Reform South Africa, the EMS Foundation and Chief of the Khoi- Stephen Fritz.
The case was first lodged back in June 2022.
Speaking after the court’s decision, Thanduxolo Mendrew, Managing Director of the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) said “our responsibility to Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane, is a daily commitment. It rests with the people who care for them, the professionals who assess their wellbeing and a city that must remain accountable for the animals entrusted to it. JCPZ accepts the judgement with a clear understanding that the welfare of our animals, take precedence and guides our decisions.”
Dada Morero, Mayor of Joburg, affirmed the work of the JCPZ, for serving communities in the City.
But Megan Carr, of the EMS Foundation, expressed disappointment at the court’s judgment, saying the Court did not resolve the contested expert evidence about the elephants’ well-being or determine that they are thriving in captivity.
She also said in a statement “the dismissal of this application does not require the City of Johannesburg or Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to retain these elephants indefinitely. It remains open to them to reconsider their position and engage constructively with a suitable alternative.”
Picture: Supplied