约翰内斯堡动物园:最后一头大象应留下还是离开?

（单词翻译）

 In Johannesburg Zoo, Should the Last Elephant Stay or Go?

The last African elephant at the Johannesburg Zoo, Lammie, lost her male partner to a sickness in September.

Lammie was born in the zoo 39 years ago. She had lived for 17 years with Kinkel, who died at age 35. Kinkel had been rescued in the wild after his trunk was caught in a trap in 2000.

Around the time of her partner’s death on Sept. 4, Lammie had stopped eating. The day before Kinkel died, she was seen trying to help him get up.

Elephants are known for their intelligence, strong social ties and even the ability to mourn. Some people argue Lammie should be sent to another place where she can be with other elephants.

Audrey Delsink is wildlife director of Humane¹ Society International/Africa. She said Lammie “is in desperate need of a happier existence and the chance to live out her years with other elephants.” Delsink added that a wildlife rescue place is ready to take Lammie if the Johannesburg Zoo agrees to let her go.

But the zoo says Lammie is staying. The zoo says it serves an educational purpose, especially for the poor who cannot pay to visit wildlife parks.

Michele Pickover disagrees. She is director of the EMS Foundation, a South Africa-based African wildlife rights group. She said “nobody learns anything” by seeing an elephant in captivity². She said that watching a film about elephants would be more educational.

But, a spokeswoman for the Johannesburg Zoo, Jenny Moodley, says it is looking for a new partner for Lammie. She said the zoo is following guidelines³ in its search set by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums⁴.

She added that experts are closely observing Lammie and that the elephant might not adapt well to a new environment.

Moodley said of Lammie: “She is coping incredibly well, considering that she has lost her partner.”

I’m Caty Weaver⁵.

Words in This Story

desperate – adj. very severe or strong

adapt – v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

cope – v. to deal with problems and difficult situations and try to come up with solutions

incredibly – adv. extremely