After Four Decades of Circus Performances and Zoo Captivity, Duma the Elephant Is at Last Liberated
For Duma the elephant, life has never tasted so sweet. After 40 years in captivity, including 20 years working in a circus, this solitary African elephant is finally free and has arrived at his forever home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa.
Previously named Charlie, Duma was given his current name by his rescuers—a name they think is more “suitable and respectful” for the giant African bull elephant.
Duma has been released into his first natural area at Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa.Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation
“He is a very curious, incredibly intelligent, strong-willed, resilient, and brave elephant,” Megan Carr, senior researcher and lead of the Towards Freedom program at The EMS Foundation, told The Epoch Times.
“He is becoming territorial and more elephant-like with each passing day.”
The Backstory
Born in 1982, Duma’s story began in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, from where he was captured at age 2 and moved to South Africa to be trained for the circus in 1984. In 2001, he was transported to the Pretoria Zoo—where he lived until he was evacuated on Aug. 19 this year.
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