What a difference a year (and real freedom) makes… this is Duma, the elephant’s journey to freedom!
South Africa (25 September 2024) – After more than forty years in captivity, first in a circus, then in a zoo, Duma (originally named Charlie/Charley), the elephant, has finally been given the chance to live the life he was always meant to. Once named the “saddest elephant in the world, Duma is finally free and thriving! Thanks to the unwavering dedication of the EMS Foundation and their Towards Freedom Programme, Duma has been relocated to a private wildlife reserve in Limpopo, where his journey of healing and rediscovery has already begun.
Torn from his family when he was just two years old, Duma spent decades confined to spaces that stripped him of his natural behaviours. Loud music, crowds, and forced interactions left visible trauma, expressed through stereotypic movements like swaying, a silent cry of distress.
But in August 2024, after four years of careful negotiations and immense collaboration between animal welfare experts, government officials, and global specialists, Duma’s chains were finally broken.
His relocation marked not only a physical shift but an emotional one: the start of self-determination, choice and freedom.
Within two weeks of his arrival, Duma stunned his team by doing something so ordinary, yet so extraordinary for him: he buried his tusks deep into the mud, wallowed and covered himself in nature’s protective coat. For over four decades, he had been denied this simple, instinctive joy. Now, he does it daily, protecting his skin from insects and the sun while finally allowing his body to heal. His stress lines have softened, his body condition has improved remarkably, and he now spends his days wandering freely through his rehabilitation camps, browsing on grasses, bushes and trees of his own choosing. Supplemented with healthy food and vitamins, he is stronger, healthier, and, perhaps most importantly, calmer.
Experts believe Duma is nearly ready for the next step. Moving into a 200-hectare boma that opens into the greater reserve. This area will give him the chance to cover greater distances and also to meet the resident herd, if he chooses to.
For the first time in over forty years, he has the freedom to decide.
The EMS Foundation has acknowledged the incredible network of specialists who made this possible… from veterinarians and behaviourists to logistics experts and conservationists. Names like Dr Joyce Poole, Dr Keith Lindsay, Dr Marion Garai and Dr Toni Frohoff stand out among those who fought for Duma’s release, while his veterinary team, led by South African experts alongside international collaborators, ensured his safe relocation.
Today, Duma is cared for by a dedicated team at Shambala Private Game Reserve in a protected, non-public environment, where his safety and wellbeing are at the heart of every decision. His journey is being closely monitored by scientists and behaviourists to ensure that his future remains one of healing, growth, and freedom.
Duma’s life is a reminder that change, while often slow and hard-fought, is possible. What was once a life marked by trauma is now becoming one filled with choice, dignity and the rhythms of nature.
And it’s not just about one elephant. It’s about what happens when compassion, science and determination come together. Duma is living proof that even after decades of hardship, freedom and joy are still within reach.
And that is something worth celebrating.
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