After 40 Years of Performing in a Circus and Being Trapped in a Zoo, Duma the Elephant Arrives at His Forever Home

Illustration by The Epoch Times, The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

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” is an African word that roughly means “to be dominating and thunder-like,” according to The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn (EMS) Foundation.

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.

He used to share an enclosure with a female African elephant named Landa when he was at the zoo. But, Landa “died prematurely” in October 2020.

Duma's enclosure at the zoo. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

The EMS Foundation learned of Landa’s death and grew increasingly concerned about the welfare of Duma. The founding members of the Pro Elephant Network (PREN), who were also part of The EMS Foundation, decided to voice their concerns.

In December 2020, they wrote to South Africa’s then-minister of forestry, fisheries, and the environment. In the letter, they requested the release of Duma “into the care of animal protection organizations.”

Duma at the zoo, before he was rescued. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

Two months later, a change.org petition was launched to free the solitary pachyderm from the zoo. Carr said the minister asked the administrators of the zoo in March 2021 to “open a discussion” with The EMS Foundation and members of the PREN.

“This intense negotiation process lasted from March 2021 until July 2024,” Carr said. “Despite the fact that in July 2022 the South African government announced their decision to retire [Duma].”

In May 2023, the government announced a tender process open to all South Africans to help offer Duma a “suitable retirement home,” Carr told the newspaper. A month later, The EMS Foundation and Shambala Private Reserve submitted a “substantial” report that included findings from experts about Duma’s health and welfare.

Finally, a year later—in May this year—they were officially granted permission to “educate, relocate, and rehabilitate” the elephant.

Moving to a New Home

Several factors were considered in choosing to release Duma, not the least of them being his solitary state. Carr explained that no elephant should live alone because they are “highly intelligent, sentient, and incredibly social.”

In August, Duma was transported in a custom-built relocation crate under mild sedation. He was trained in how to move in and out of the crate. Despite doubts from some people that he'd even be able to walk into the crate, he did.

The 3.5-ton crate arrives at the zoo to evacuate Duma, who weighed approximately 5.5 tons. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

Duma walks into the crate on July 24, 2024. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

“[He] surprised everyone by entering the crate bravely and entirely on the second day,” Carr said.

Still, no one was expecting a particularly easy road ahead.

“Despite the protest at the zoo, the cavalcade of trucks, crane, support vehicles, [and the] medical team departed from the zoo on Aug. 19, 2024, and arrived safely at Shambala five hours later,” Carr said.

Dr. Frank Goertiz from Four Paws International checks on Duma as the truck prepares to move the crate from the zoo. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

After four decades, the rescued jumbo was making the three-hour journey to freedom. And, defying the beliefs of some who believed he would pass away during the evacuation process, he reached Shambala safely.

“[Duma] reversed out of his crate the moment the crate was positioned in front of his new enclosure, and the doors were opened,” Carr said.

“He acclimatized quickly to his new environment where he was supported by a team of elephant experts from Shambala and representatives from his medical team.”

Duma reverses out of his crate into his temporary enclosure at Shambala. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

Duma in his temporary enclosure at Shambala. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

Living at Shambala

Duma’s new environment is a bespoke rehabilitation enclosure at Shambala. There, he enjoys living among nature and eating his favorite foods, including natural browse.

“There is a marked difference between Shambala and the zoo,” Carr said. “Long gone are the traffic noises, noises of the parties, and events held at the zoo with loud music.”

The elephant enjoys living in an area free from human eyes with a space all of his own and a level of privacy he hasn’t enjoyed in decades. And he is steadily adapting to this new environment.

Carr says Duma "quickly became accustomed" to the sounds of his natural surroundings at Shambala. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

Duma enjoying his mud bath. Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

After arriving at Shambala, Duma took his first mud bath in forty years. He also began foraging for his own food, something that he hadn’t had to do at the zoo or circus. Carr has also witnessed him rumble and make trumpeting noises, which she never saw him do at the zoo.

“He has seen warthogs and waterbuck and baboons, who are all wild animals that he has not encountered for forty years,” she said.

Duma still needs to build up his “stamina and muscle tone” before he can go to a larger environment. He has also not met any other elephants yet. Carr says only experts will advise when Duma is ready to meet other elephants.

“We hope that he will choose to meet the elephants living at Shambala, but this is a decision that he will make for himself,” she said.

Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation

A member of the PREN, Carr is dedicated to elephants and their well-being. She has served at The EMS Foundation since 2019. During Duma’s last four years at the zoo, she visited him regularly, and since July 22 of this year, she has been with him daily.

“Duma’s story is one of hope for all elephants that are stuck in captivity and for all those humans who are trying to free them,” Carr said.

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