'Mundi has lived alone at the zoo for 35 years, in an area of about 15,000 square feet, slightly more than a quarter of an acre, with access to an enclosed shelter. 'In 1988, Mundi was moved to Mayaguez Zoo in Puerto Rico and has been on display in isolation at the zoo for nearly 35 years,' Oliver said. In 1986, the young herd was separated and sold to zoos, circuses and other private individuals. Millionaire Arthur Jones subsequently bought the 63 baby elephants and transported them to his property in Ocala, Florida. Mundi was one of 63 African savannah elephants orphaned during a mass culling by the government of Zimbabwe in 1984, when she was just 2 years old. She reportedly loves eating pineapple, watermelon and broccoli. Mundi, who stands 8 feet tall and weighs 8,000 pounds, has a 'calm and curious' personality, according to WAP. 'Most importantly, she will never again be forced to perform for visitors.' 'In a sanctuary, she will have more freedom to roam and autonomy over her life in as natural an environment as possible for an elephant in her circumstances,' Lindsay Oliver, with World Animal Protection, U.S., told Newsweek. Mundi became the third elephant resident at the sanctuary, which is able to accommodate 10 individuals at any one time. There are live-stream cameras placed throughout the refuge, however, enabling the public to unobtrusively observe them and learn about their behavior. The sanctuary is not open to the general public and the animals are able to choose how they spend their time. Elephant Aid InternationalĪt the refuge-which welcomes elephants retired from zoos and circuses-the needs of the animals come first and they receive individualized care, taking into account past traumas. After 35 years in captivity at the zoo, Mundi has been rescued and relocated to an elephant sanctuary in Georgia. Mundi the elephant at Mayaguez Zoo, Puerto Rico. The climate is suitable enough in the region that the elephants can be outside almost all of the year. The elephant sanctuary, which is run by the EAI, extends across 850 acres of rolling hills, lush pastures, and dense forests, and also features spring-fed lakes, creeks and streams. The rescue and relocation were planned and carried out by non-profit organizations Wild Animal Sanctuary and Elephant Aid International (EAI), with assistance and funding provided by World Animal Protection (WAP). She was eventually sold to Mayaguez Zoo in Puerto Rico where she lived in isolation for decades while being exploited for entertainment purposes, sometimes having to perform for visitors.īut on Friday, Mundi was transported to the Elephant Refuge North America sanctuary (ERNA) in Attapulgus, Georgia.

The 41-year-old female elephant, known as Mundi, was orphaned at a young age and later captured from the wild. An elephant that was held in captivity for 35 years at a zoo in Puerto Rico has finally been freed and arrived at her new forever home on Friday.

Mating in captivity