The Lone Elephants
Elephants are highly intelligent and sentient (self-aware) beings. They develop life-long bonds with family and/or friends just as humans do. Elephants suffer severe depression, extreme boredom, zoochosis and many exhibit self-harming behaviors like chewing on their metal bars or banging their heads against their concrete walls from being in absolute isolation. To be in a zoo without any companionship, is not any different than a criminal sentenced to solitary confinement, except the elephant didn’t commit any crime. We consider a person in solitary confinement for years as undue malice and cruelty - mentally and physically. Why is this not applied to ALL sentient beings?
For years people have advocated and pushed for change of elephants living alone. Currently, rules concerning captive elephants in zoos in many countries, including ours, dictates that elephants may no longer be allowed to be in complete isolation. Unfortunately, these wanted changes have either been slow in coming, or "excused" based on the notion that the elephant is "too old" or "physical hardship due to chronic conditions" or "too engrained living alone that he/she cannot be integrated with other elephants" or in some countries/zoos, there are few regulations regarding how captive elephants are cared for.
In a recently published article (February 2022) by National Geographic, the toll of isolation and being a lone elephant is evident. Elephants suffer. Here is the link to this important article "Nothing to do, Nowhere to go"
Sanctuaries take in elephants all the time that have come from horrific physical/mental abuse, have TB, severe health issues related to their abuse and/or captivity (i.e.: chronic very painful foot ailments - joints, malnutrition, wounds. blindness, disabled, and advanced arthritis) and even some that lived their entire lives alone (i.e.: Nosey and Kaavan) and some elephants that are quite elderly, rescued from their life of hard labor or entertainment late in life (i.e.: H'Blu - age 62, Noi Nah - age 70, Raju - age 50) and have integrated just fine and are quite social with other elephants.
Many zoos and venues world-wide (United States included) continue to keep elephants in small, concrete and/or totally inadequate enclosures and completely alone without another elephant for companionship.
Some of these lone elephants are older than you, or the same age as your children. Imagine living to age 45 without ever talking to another soul, never seeing another of your own kind, and living in total isolation, lack of stimulus, concrete, sadness, physical pain from living conditions, and mental decline/mental stress. Elephants need other elephants, space to roam and natural habitats. Right now, they are merely existing, NOT LIVING.
Some of the lone elephants listed below have links to petitions where you can help. Other have links to more information about the elephant's plight.
Below are zoos and parks with their one lone elephant:
LUCY
| Name: | Lucy |
| Species: | Asian |
|
Age: (year 2023) |
47 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
46 |
| Location: | Edmonton Valley Zoo, Alberta, Canada |
| The Story: | Save Lucy Website Facebook - Lucy Group (LEAP) |
INDU
| Name: | Indu |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
58 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
2 |
| Location: | Phoenix Zoo, Arizona, United States |
| The Story: |
Largest Privately Owned Zoo in the United States. |
MONDULA
| Name: | Mondula (Mondy) |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
52 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
7 |
| Location: | Blair Drummond Safari, Scotland |
| The Story: |
Arrived at Blair Drummand Safari in 1997 from Erfurt Zoo in Germany. Toto arrived that same year from Basel Zoo in Switzerland in 1997. To read more about lone elephants in the U.K. UPDATE: August 2023 - Five has company. A 23 year old African male elephant, Coco is now living at West Midland Safari Park. |
ANNE
| Name: | Anne |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
69 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
12 |
| Location: | Longleat Safari Park, United Kingdom |
| The Story: | Former abused circus elephant. Action for Elephants U.K. PETITION Facebook Group - Anne Needs Elephants |
LAMMIE
| Name: | Lammie |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
45 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
5 |
| Location: | Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa |
| The Story: | (suffers from severe depression and grief) - lost all her family. Her companion, Kinkel, died in September 2018. Sad Story of Lammie PETITION |
HAPPY (left) / PATTY (right)
Neither Happy or Patty socialize together and are kept separately at the Zoo.
| Name: | Happy |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
52 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
17 |
| Location: | Bronx Zoo, New York, United States |
| The Story: |
September 12, 2019: In Defense of Animals (IDAUSA) filed Article 78 petition against New York City and are suing the Bronx Zoo over the treatment of their remaining elephants. September 19, 2019: December 17 2020: 2022: Times Article Happy the Elephant Lawsuit |
| Name: | Patty |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
53 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
5 |
| Location: | Bronx Zoo, New York, United States |
| The Story: | Maxine died in 2018. |
ASHA
| Name: | Asha |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
40-41 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
33 |
| Location: | Natural Bridge Zoo, Virginia, United States |
| The Story: |
Born in Zimbabwe somewhere between 1982-83 At Natural Bridge Zoo, Asha spends hours circling her yard, grazing quietly. Veterinarian Philip Ensley, who worked with elephants at San Diego Zoo for nearly 30 years, visited the zoo in September to observe her and assess her health for the nonprofit Free All Captive Elephants (FACE) one of many animal advocacy groups that has criticized Asha’s conditions. In a private report shared with National Geographic, he noted that Asha swayed back and forth, shifted her weight off certain limbs (potentially indicating arthritis or joint disease, which are common in captive elephants), and appeared “unstimulated” and “detached.” “It is inappropriate in the field of care and management of captive elephants to keep a female alone,” he concluded in the report. The lack of a companion “is causing Asha to suffer.” |
ELY
| Name: | Ely |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
42 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
7 |
| Location: | San Juan de Aragon Zoo, Mexico (former circus elephant) |
| The Story: |
Aragon Zoo purchased Ely in 2012 from a circus. Maggie the other elephant in the enclosure was euthanized in 2016. https://worldelephantalliance.org/the-faces-of-captivity/ |
SHANKAR
| Name: | Shankar |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
27 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
18 |
| Location: | National Zoological Park (formally Delhi Zoo), New Delhi, India |
| The Story: |
Chained upwards 17 hours a day and beaten. Living in a small enclosure. In 1998, a 26 month-old male, Shankar, was presented as a diplomatic gift by Zimbabwe to India. |
BUBBLES
| Name: | Bubbles |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
40 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
39 |
| Location: |
Myrtle Beach Safari, |
| The Story: |
Bubbles was born in 1983. The Myrtle Beach Safari, headed by Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, acquired Bubbles in 1984 when she was bought from the Hollywild Animal Park. She is forced to perform and have close contact/interaction with people visiting Myrtle Beach Safari. She is exploited and hasn't seen another elephant since 1984. |
BUNKA
| Name: | Bunka |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
16 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
9 |
| Location: |
Yerevan Zoo (Zoological Garden of Yerevan), |
| The Story: |
Bunka was born Tbilisi Zoo in Georgia. At age 7, he was taken from his mother and sent to Yerevan Zoo. His life is in abject misery. To read more please click on the link below. |
MUNDI
| Name: | Mundi |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
39 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
34 |
| Location: | Mayaguez Zoo (Juan A. Rivero Zoo), Puerto Rico - ZOO IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED (ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 28, 2023) |
| The Story: |
UPDATE - June 2023: Mundi shares 850 acres with the two Asian elephants, Tarra and Bo, at ERNA. She is not separated from them. March 30, 2023 - Mundi is being re-located to Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) sanctuary in Georgia. ERNA is founded and operated by Carol Buckley. Mundi is still considered a lone elephant because ERNA has no other African elephants. Mundi will be alone and isolated without companionship of other African elephants. There are two Asian elephants and a dog at ERNA but Asian and African elephants are separated in sanctuaries and do not communicate the same and can have behavioral differences that cause them to clash. Mundi has been alone she she arrived at the zoo in 1988. After Hurricane Maria in 2017, EAI (Elephant Aid International) founded by Carol Buckley, had a contract with Puerto Rico government to take custody of Mundi and relocate her to ERNA. In February 2019, the contract was suddenly cancelled by Department of Natural Resources in Puerto Rico. EAI flew to Puerto Rico to appear in court to find out if the contract cancellation was legal. There is no update past March 2019 concerning EAI, the contract or having Mundi relocated. |
HORACE
| Name: | Horace |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
18 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
11 |
| Location: | Kyiv Zoo, Ukraine |
| The Story: |
Horace came to the zoo in 2012 from Rostov Zoo, Russia. UPDATE: currently his life is at risk. His keeper is sleeping with him inside his enclosure and Horace is on sedatives to try to keep him calm from the blasts and explosions from the invasion from Russia into Ukraine. |
To learn an extensive amount of information about LONE ELEPHANTS in JAPAN please read this report by Dr. Keith Lindsay
Website: Solitary Elephants in Japan Report
(115 pages PDF Download):
There is a 2021 Downloadable Update:
2021 Update Report
Japan has the most lone elephants in solitary captivity.
MIYAKO
| Name: | Miyako |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
50 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
49 |
| Location: | Utsunomiya Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: | Born in 1973, arrived in Japan when 6 months old. She's been alone her entire life since 1974. Miyako's Story PETITION |
TERU
| Name: | Teru |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
45 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
23 |
| Location: | Yuki Park Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: | Mimi died in 2000. Teru Last Update 2019 |
SUNNY
| Name: | Sunny |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
44 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
34 |
| Location: | Nomi Ishikawa Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: |
About Sunny YouTube - Sunny PETITION |
MAC
| Name: | Mac |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
31 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
9 |
| Location: | Kobe Oiji Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: | Born in 1992 - Circus Knie in Switzerland. Came to Japan Zoo in 1995. Separated from companion Zuze since 2014. |
LALA
| Name: | Lala |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
41 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
5 |
| Location: | Tohoku Safari Park, Fukushima, Japan |
| The Story: |
MAO
| Name: | Mao |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
21 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
5 |
| Location: | Morioka City Zoological Park, Iwate Prefecture, south of Misawa |
| The Story: | Death of Taro (her mate) in 2018. The zoo is trying to artificially inseminate her. |
OSHI
| Name: | Oshi |
| Species: | African |
| Age: (year 2023) |
52 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
34 |
| Location: | Izu Animal Kingdom, Higashiizu, Japan |
| The Story: |
MIDORI
| Name: | Midori |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
24 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
9 |
| Location: | Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: |
Death of Taiyo (male elephant) in 2014. Was sent to Kobe Oiji Zoo to mate with Mac in 2018. In 2019, returned to Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo. |
FUKO
| Name: | Fuko |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
44 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
15 |
| Location: | Nagano Chausuyama Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: |
Death of companion Dumbo in 2008. Fuko |
FUKU-CHAN (FUKU)
| Name: | Fuku-Chan (Fuku) |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
25 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
22 |
| Location: | Fukuyama Municipal Zoo, Japan |
| The Story: |
Has TB- cannot be with other elephants that do not have it. Solitary entire life at zoo since age 3. |
FUJIKO
| Name: | Fujiko |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
55 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
41 |
| Location: | Okazaki-City Higashi Koen (Zoo), Japan |
| The Story: |
Fujiko moved to this zoo from the Fukuyama Municipal Zoo, home to Fuku-Chan, in 1982. Her keeper of 35 years retired in 2019 to further add to her isolation and loneliness. |
In Memoriam:
MALI
| Name: | Vishwa Ma'ali,(Mali) |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
50 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
48 |
| Location: | Manila Zoo, Philippines |
| Died: | November 29, 2023 "Mali had cancer and was seen rubbing her trunk against a wall, meaning she was in pain" - Dr. Heinrich Patrick Peña-Domingo, the chief veterinarian a the zoo, stated at the news conference announcing her death. |
| The Story: | Born 1974 - 1980 Sri Lankan elephant gifted to the Phillipines when she was 3 years old. Her enclosure was recently enlarged with an added pool. YouTube about Mali Philippine Star Article |
TWIGGY
| Name: | Twiggy (aka: Susan) |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: (year 2023) |
57 |
| Years Alone: (year 2023) |
26 |
| Location: | Belgrade Zoo, Serbia |
| Died: | September 4, 2023 |
| The Story: | Tiny Lone Zoo Enclosure |
HAMAKO
| Name: | Hamako |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 51 |
| Years Alone: | 14 |
| Location: | Hamamatsu City Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | September 15, 2022 |
|
The Story: |
Arrived at the zoo at age 1 in 1972. He had been alone since the death of companion and best friend Miyo in 2008. Cause of death is unknown but he was unable to stand the night prior to his death. His keeper found him next morning passed away. Hamako |
MERRY
| Name: | Merry |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 52 |
| Years Alone: | 50 |
| Location: | Ikeda Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | February 2016 |
| The Story: |
Brought to the zoo when she was 2 years old Lived alone in this small concrete enclosure her entire life Died of foot problems. |
HANAKO
| Name: | Hanako |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 69 |
| Years Alone: | 62 |
| Location: | Inokashira Park Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | May 2016 |
| The Story: |
Oldest elephant in Japan. Hanako's Life |
IZUMI
| Name: | Izumi |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 61 |
| Years Alone: | 53 |
| Location: | Kiryugaoka Amusement Park Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | April 2017 |
| The Story: |
Arrived at the zoo in 1964 and solitary her entire time there. Died when she couldn't stand up. |
HIROKO
| Name: | Hiroko |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 48 |
| Years Alone: | 4 |
| Location: | Osaka Tennoji Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | January 2018 |
| The Story: | Solitary since death of companion Haruko in 2014. Died of severe foot problems and died in tremendous pain. |
FLAVIA
| Name: | Flavia |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 47 |
| Years Alone: | 43 |
| Location: | Cordoba Zoo, Spain |
| Died: | March 2019 |
| The Story: | Flavia's Story |
HIMEKO
| Name: | Himeko |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 43 |
| Years Alone: | 26 |
| Location: | Himeji City Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | October 2020 |
| The Story: |
Arrived in1994 and solitary entire time at zoo. Died of foot related issues. Himeko |
MARY
| Name: | Mary |
| Species: | Asian |
| Age: | 31 |
| Years Alone: | 13 |
| Location: | Tokushima City Zoo, Japan |
| Died: | July 2021 |
| The Story: |
Arrived from Sri Lanka in 1996. Solitary since the death of Ranga in 2008. Died from unknown causes. Mary |
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