OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE:

PRETORIA’S CHARLEY THE ELEPHANT PREPARES FOR NEW BEGINNING

Pretoria’s Charley the Elephant Prepares for A New Beginning

[Tshwane, Pretoria: 29 July 2024]: The South African government agreed to pursue options for the retirement of African Elephant Charley from the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria to a suitable wildlife sanctuary or similar setting.  

On the 17th of May 2023, interested parties were publicly requested to submit proposals in response to an advertised call for an Expression of Interest to find Charley a suitable retirement home.  Michele Pickover, Executive Director of the EMS Foundation, confirmed that Shambala Private Game Reserve and the EMS Foundation had submitted an extensive response to the government call, which was accepted in March 2024.

Pickover noted that because of Charley’s advanced age, the programme, which includes the preparation for his relocation, the relocation to a naturally secured environment, is not without risk.

“In preparation for Charley’s new life the EMS Foundation and Shambala are partnering with a highly qualified and experienced team of international elephant trainers and South African and international veterinarians,” says Pickover, adding that “this significant undertaking has been supported by elephant experts from the Pro Elephant Network from its inception in 2020.”

The Programme Lead, Megan Carr, stated that their international experts are gently and cautiously preparing Charley for his departure from the Pretoria Zoo.  When Charley is ready, the team, including South African translocation specialists, will transfer him to Shambala, Africa’s first state-of-the-art extensive release area, 

At Shambala, Charley will be cared for by international and South African veterinarians and elephant behaviour experts. 

For more information contact: 

Megan Carr, Towards Freedom Programme megan@emsfoundation.org.za

Michele Pickover, Executive Director michele@emsfoundation.org.za

NOTES TO EDITORS

About EMS Foundation

The EMS Foundation was established by Tjaart and Louis Steyn and named in honour and recognition of their mother Elizabeth Margaret Steyn (EMS). The Mission of The EMS Foundation is the advancement and protection of the rights and general welfare of wild animals, children, elderly persons and other vulnerable groups in South Africa and Africa, to alleviate suffering, disrupting inequality in all of its forms, raising public awareness, empowering and providing dignity. The EMS Foundation (South Africa) was established as a Trust in November 2014 (registration number: IT 222949/14). As our Foundation was established for public benefit purposes we have Not for Profit Organisation (NPO) status (registration number: 168-304NPO) and have Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) with section 18(a) status. EMS PBO Reference Number: 930053286.

About Shambala Private Game Reserve

‘Shambala’ is a Tibetan word, meaning ‘Paradise on Earth’. 

Shambala Private Game Reserve covers over 10,000 hectares under the watchful guardianship of the picturesque, malaria-free Waterberg mountains, and the magnificent African bushveld is home to a wide variety of remarkable flora and fauna. Whether you discover it in the bush, the mountains or the silence; whether you feel it in the air or see it in the magnificent, proud wildlife of this land, your paradise is here, deep within the heart and soul of Shambala.

Image: Charlie at the National Zoological Gardens 29th July 2024 ©EMS Foundation 2024

©EMS Foundation 2024. All Rights Reserved.