An Entertainment Abuses Articles from All-Creatures.org

Mundi The Elephant Rescued By Sanctuary After 35 Years In Captivity

From SpeciesUnite.com
June 2023

The zoo struggled financially and has been closed to the public for several years after losing its USDA license for failing to employ a veterinarian and providing substandard care for its animals, many of whom are reported to have died. Then in February 2023, the zoo was ordered by the US Department of Justice to close and relocate all of its remaining animals to reputable sanctuaries.  

Mundi, the rescued African Savannah elephant, in her new home and meeting another resident. Credit: World Animal Protection

The 41-year-old elephant was cruelly trained to perform in circus shows before being kept in isolation for over three decades. Now, she has a second chance at happiness at a new sanctuary home in Georgia.

An elephant who was kept in isolation for over three decades at a controversial zoo in Puerto Rico has successfully been relocated to an elephant sanctuary in Georgia.

Named Mundi, the 41-year-old African elephant had been kept at the Mayaguez Zoo in Puerto Rico since 1988. She lived in isolation the entire time, in an area of about 15,000 square feet (around 1/4 acre).

The zoo struggled financially and has been closed to the public for several years after losing its USDA license for failing to employ a veterinarian and providing substandard care for its animals, many of whom are reported to have died.

Then in February 2023, the zoo was ordered by the US Department of Justice to close and relocate all of its remaining animals to reputable sanctuaries.

Now, Mundi has arrived at the Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) to start a new life where she can live in peace in a near-natural sanctuary habitat.

Located in Attapulgus, Georgia, ERNA has 850 acres of lush pastures, hills, forests and a spring-fed lake, and is currently already home to two other rescue elephants, Bo and Tarra.

“Seeing Mundi arrive safely is honestly a beautiful sight” said Dr. Jan Schmidt-Burbach, Head of Wildlife Research and Animal welfare at World Animal Protection, who helped fund Mundi’s relocation and care. “For almost 35 years, Mundi has been on display at the zoo. She lived alone in a small enclosure with access only to a dark indoor shelter. That is no life for any wild animal. I hope Mundi gets to live out her remaining years with the freedom and care she deserves.”

Originally born in the wild in Zimbabwe in 1982, a young Mundi was transported to Florida and then was forced to perform in a circus before being moved to Mayaguez Zoo where she has spent the majority of her life so far.

Mundi’s custom transport crate. Credit: Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA)

Her rescue from the zoo was an ambitious effort between local authorities and several animal welfare groups including Elephant Aid International (EAI), World Animal Animal Protection, and The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS). A dedicated 747 airplane delivered Mundi, who weighs 8,000 pounds and needed to be transported in her own custom transport crate. 

---

Return to Entertainment Abuses Articles