Towards Freedom Programme

09/05/2026

EMS Foundation
Cullinan & Associates Inc.
Chief Stephen Fritz
Shambala Private Game Reserve

30/04/2026

LET THEM ROAM - THE CASE FOR THE JOHANNESBURG ZOO ELEPHANTS

Lammie, Ramadiba and Mopane are three elephants currently living in a barren enclosure at the Johannesburg Zoo.

Lammie was born into captivity at the zoo.
Ramadiba and Mopane were purchased for captivity at the zoo.

All three have spent years in conditions that experts say cannot meet their physical, emotional, and social needs.

In June 2022, Animal Law Reform South Africa, together with the EMS Foundation and Chief Stephen Fritz, brought a case before the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) to challenge their continued confinement, and to have them released from the Zoo.

Nearly four years later, the hearings begin on 19 May 2026.

A relocation plan is already in place. A protected environment has been secured. If the court rules in their favour, these elephants could be moved to a place where their needs can finally be met and where they can live freely.

This is about more than three elephants. It’s about how we live alongside our fellow animals in South Africa today.

Over the coming weeks, we will share their individual stories, their lives, their conditions, and a peek at what their future could be.

Together, we hope to ensure that Lammie, Mopane and Ramadiba and all sentient beings are recognised, respected, and protected by the Constitution and laws that govern us all.

Follow their journey. Let them roam. Read more: https://www.animallawreform.org/letthemroam/

30/04/2026

24/03/2026

EMS Foundation

Towards Freedom a Vision of the EMS FoundationSince its inception the EMS Foundation has worked to free elephants from captivity. This focus area has develo...

12/10/2025

RIP PUPY

Sending love and condolences to everyone working with the Global Sanctuary for Elephants our collective hearts are broken for the entire team and for Kenya.

We’ve had an outpouring of support and shared sorrow from many of our sanctuary family. Pupy made an impact on thousands across the world and she never even knew–though we believe that she could feel the positive energy across the miles. We’ll continue to share our thoughts about Pupy as the days go by–and we will send updates on how Kenya is doing. We’ve created an In Memoriam page for those of you who would like to share your thoughts and memories of Pupy, sort of a virtual guest book. It will always remain posted so we can honor her life for all the days to come.
https://globalelephants.org/in-memory-of-pupy/

12/08/2025

EMS Foundation

12/08/2025

EMS Foundation

18/06/2025

HARVARD LEGAL SCHOLARS JOIN BATTLE TO FREE LAMMIE, RAMADIBA AND MOPANE FROM THE JOHANNESBURG ZOO

“A landmark legal bid to free three elephants from captivity in the Johannesburg Zoo has gained international traction, with heavyweight legal scholars from Harvard Law School stepping forward in support of the case.

Professor Kristen Stilt, Faculty Director of the Brooks McCormick Jr Animal Law Policy Programme and Dr Montes Franceschini, a visiting researcher at the Max Planck Institute, have formally applied to join the case as amicus curiae, offering their expertise in animal law and public policy. Their participation is intended to help the court understand the broader societal and ethical implications of the case, especially given the elephants’ complex cognitive and emotional capacities.

The Johannesburg Zoo however has pushed back asserting that the elephants receive adequate care and attention. The zoo claims that the groups behind the legal effort are driven by ideaolgy rather than concern for the animals actual welfare.

South Africans have voiced their anger on social media particularly given the City of Johannesburg’s broader financial and infrastructural crises. The Auditor-General recently reported more than R1 billion in wasteful expenditure, raising concerns about the cost of ongoing litigation.

Critics have pointed to the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo’s own Integrated Annual Report (2023/2024) which emphasises avoiding prolonged legal battles in favour of settlements that save public funds.

Despite this, the City continues to defend the elephants captivity in court, a move seen by many as both fiscally irresponsible and ethically indefensible.”

Cullinan & Associates Inc.
Daily Maverick

At the heart of the case is the claim that keeping elephants in the zoo violates South Africa’s Constitution, particularly the environmental rights provision, as well as existing animal welfare legislation.

18/09/2024

EMS Foundation