Three adult elephants at the Pretoria Zoo have been described by animal welfare organisations as suffering from severe depression, leading to a court petition to move them to a sanctuary . The filing, submitted on May 18, argues that the animals' mental health has deteriorated under current conditions, and seeks an urgent order from the High Court of Pretoria.

Three Pretoria Zoo elephants diagnosed with depression

According to the South African Animal Welfare Society (SAAWS), the elephants—named Nandi, Thandi and Kgomotso—exhibit signs such as loss of appetite, repetitive pacing and reduced social interaction, which veterinarians have classified as depressive behavior. The group cites a 2022 study by the University of Pretoria that linked captive elephant stress to limited space and lack of herd dynamics.

Legal petition filed in Pretoria High Court on May 18

As reported by the local news outlet News Headlines, SAAWS and the International Elephant Foundation jointly filed a petition requesting the court to order the zoo to relocate the trio to the Kruger National Park sanctuary within 30 days. The filing claims that the zoo’s enclosure, measuring 1,200 square meters, falls far short of the 5,000 square meters recommended by the World Elephant Conservation Council.

Zoo officials cite transport costs and safety concerns

The Pretoria Zoo’s director, Ms. Lindiwe Mthembu, told reporters that moving three mature elephants would cost roughly 12 million rand and pose logistical challenges, including the need for specialised trailers and veterinary supervision. She argues that the zoo has already implemented enrichment programs and that relocation could cause additional stress.

International animal welfare groups join the case

Beyond SAAWS, the European Elephant Welfare Alliance and the US-based Elephant Rights Network have issued statements supporting the petition, noting that similar cases in the United Kingdom and Australia resulted in successful relocations after court rulings. their involvement adds pressure on South African authorities to align with globaal standards for captive elephant care.

Will the court permit relocation?

One specific unanswered point is whether the High Court will accept the claim that depression qualifies as a legal basis for relocation under South Africa’s Animals Protection Act. the petition also hinges on a pending environmental impact assessment, which has not yet been completed. As the court date approaches, both sides are preparing expert testimony to address these gaps.