Oakland Zoo to Relocate Last Elephant to Sanctuary
- Oakland Zoo successfully raises $500,000 to relocate African elephant to a sanctuary.
- The elephant, Osh, will embark on a 40-hour journey to a sanctuary in Tennessee in the fall.
- This fundraising effort highlights the importance of animal welfare and conservation at Oakland Zoo.
The Oakland Zoo in the San Francisco Bay Area has successfully raised $500,000 to facilitate the relocation of its last elephant, Osh, to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The move, scheduled for this fall, will result in the closure of the zoo's elephant exhibit, which has been a part of the facility for 73 years. Zoo officials and visitors expressed their sadness at the departure of the 15,000-pound elephant, who has been a resident for two decades. Osh's transition to the sanctuary is expected to enhance his quality of life, allowing him to socialize with other elephants. Colleen Kinzley, the zoo's vice president of animal care, conservation, and research, emphasized the importance of social interaction for elephants, noting that they communicate over long distances using low-frequency vocalizations. The sanctuary, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is preparing for Osh's arrival by constructing two new barns and a specially designed air-conditioned trailer for the journey. Once in Tennessee, Osh will have the opportunity to meet Artie, a 41-year-old African elephant, and potentially reunite with Donna, another female elephant. The zoo's CEO, Nik Dehajia, stated that the future of the elephant program requires more than what the current facilities can offer, prompting the decision to close the exhibit and seek new options for the space.