Vantara To Welcome 3 African Elephants From Tunisia
Achtaum, Kani, and Mina were transferred from Burkina Faso to Friguia Park in Tunisia over two decades ago, at just four years old, where they have lived as attractions for nearly 23 years.
Three African forest elephants—two females and one male, aged 28 to 29—will soon be relocated to a compassionate new home at Vantara, one of the world’s leading wildlife rescue centres located in Jamnagar, India. Founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara was approached by a private zoo in Tunisia that struggled to meet the elephants’ complex dietary, housing, and veterinary needs due to financial constraints.
Achtaum, Kani, and Mina were transferred from Burkina Faso to Friguia Park in Tunisia over two decades ago, at just four years old, where they have lived as attractions for nearly 23 years. All regulatory and legal requirements, including compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), have been fulfilled, and the elephants will be transported to India via a chartered cargo aircraft.
Despite being a highlight at Friguia Park, financial difficulties prompted the zoo to consider retiring the three elephants to help offset costs. The zoo acknowledged that, after years of captivity and reliance on human care, a return to the wild was neither feasible nor desirable. They sought a facility that could provide the elephants with a peaceful and fulfilling retirement, one that would meet their specialised health needs and offer the compassionate care they deserve. Ultimately, Vantara was identified as the ideal destination.
A recent health assessment conducted by Vantara’s veterinary experts revealed various healthcare challenges facing the elephants. Untreated skin conditions have led to hair loss and matted skin, highlighting the need for ongoing medical attention. Achtaum has a split tusk and a molar tooth infection requiring careful medical and surgical management, while Kani shows signs of cracked nails, likely due to prolonged exposure to hard flooring. Currently, the elephants live in a poorly ventilated concrete house and a paddock that lacks the essential enrichment necessary for their mental and physical well-being. Their diet has primarily consisted of dry hay, with limited access to clean water.
African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are native to the dense tropical forests of Central and West Africa, and there are no wild populations of this species in Tunisia. In their natural habitats, these elephants thrive in expansive forest landscapes, foraging on various foliage and enjoying mud wallows that benefit their skin health. Vantara has recreated these comforts through spacious, enriched enclosures featuring native flora, mud pools, and thoughtfully designed food enrichments that encourage natural foraging behaviours.
Their new home at Vantara will provide Achtaum, Kani, and Mina with an environment that closely resembles their wild habitat while offering specialised care to support their physical, psychological, and social well-being—a renewed opportunity for them to live a life filled with compassion.
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