“The case of Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane — the three African elephants being kept at the Johannesburg Zoo under reportedly distressing conditions — is a deeply tragic one. In 2019, Ramadiba and Mopane were transferred from captivity in the Eastern Cape to the Johannesburg Zoo, where reports now indicate that they are displaying signs of distress, frustration and listlessness associated with prolonged confinement and unnatural living conditions. The environment does not speak for itself, and if we as human beings fail to act as its custodians, we risk accelerating the destruction of species, ecosystems, rivers, forests and oceans that future generations will depend on. As renowned activist Jay Naidoo has noted, elephants carry deep cultural and spiritual significance across many traditions, including among South Africa’s diverse peoples. This is why ActionSA would support any lawful and appropriate legislative or legal intervention — including the matter currently before the courts concerning the Johannesburg Zoo — that advances the dignity, humane treatment and long-term preservation of South Africa’s invaluable wildlife heritage. ActionSA remains concerned that sections of government are increasingly failing in their duty to protect South Africa’s rich environmental and wildlife heritage, too often allowing commercial interests and institutional convenience to take precedence over ethical conservation and animal welfare. ActionSA is actively engaging with environmental stakeholders, conservationists and concerned South Africans as we work to table an updated version of our already first-in-class environmental policy. South Africans deserve a clear understanding of which political parties are genuinely committed to protecting our wildlife, oceans, mountains and forests — and which continue to neglect the constitutional responsibility to preserve them for future generations.” — Alan Beesley MP, ActionSA Member of Parliament – at Johannesburg, South Africa

Professor Kristen Stilt and Dr Montez Franceschini, Harvard legal scholars have joined the battle to free Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane from the Johannesburg Zoo. “The City of Johannesburg continues to defend the elephant’s captivity in court a move seen as many as both fiscally irresponsible and ethically indefensible”dailymaverick.co.za/article/…

A life behind bars: The silent suffering of South Africa’s zoo animals iol.co.za/lifestyle/2025-06-… #TowardsFreedomJohannesburgZoo @AnimalLawReform @enviro_lawyers @IOL @SABCNews @ProEleNetwork

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!! @IOL Judge granted permission for @Harvard to join our legal case yesterday. Harvard Law School academics seek to join court case for release of elephants from Johannesburg Zoo iol.co.za/news/crime-and-cou…

Finally free: Tswale finds his wild home after 20 years in captivity citizen.co.za/lowvelder/news… We are so thankful to everyone involved @Mtpatourism @WeWildAfrica #TowardsFreedom

One year in the wild: Pretoria Zoo elephant celebrates his new Limpopo life citizen.co.za/rekord/news-he…

A CRISIS IN MADIKWE? Or an excuse to hunt? EMS Foundation conducted its own onsite research but North West Province Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism refuses to answer our PAIAS dailymaverick.co.za/opinioni…

URGENT in person round table discussions between @EZEMVELOKZNWild the owners of Mawana, the Leaders from the affected Communities and NGO’s involved to AGREE on sustainable long-term safety of humans and these elephants @GoodThingsGuy @ProEleNetwork