JOHANNESBURG – The three elephants, Lammie, Mopane and Ramadiba, must remain at Johannesburg Zoo, Judge Noluntu Bam of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria ruled today.

They are the last three elephants kept at a zoo in South Africa.

The non-governmental organisations that brought an application in May seeking the elephants’ release and relocation to a rehabilitation centre expressed their “bitter disappointment” at the ruling but said they would appeal Bam’s decision. If the appeal fails, they will approach the Constitutional Court.

The EMS Foundation, Animal Law Reform South Africa and Khoi chief Stephen Fritz approached the High Court, asking for the release of the three elephants currently in the zoo’s care.

The organisations had already identified suitable land where the elephants could be rehabilitated before being released into the wild.

In her ruling, Bam said she could find no fault with the keeping permits issued for the three elephants by the City of Johannesburg.

She made no order as to costs.

• This story first appeared in Die Papier.

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