After spending the last two decades at Oakland Zoo in California, Osh — a 30-year-old African elephant — has finally been allowed to retire, per ABC 7 News. This retirement is not just a personal milestone for Osh, but also a significant event in elephant welfare. Osh will spend the rest of his days at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, enjoying his favorite foods — watermelons, pineapple, and beet pulp — while being in the company of fellow elephants, which is a crucial aspect of their social nature.
Born in captivity in 1994 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in England, Osh lived with 14 other elephants before being moved to the United States. At Oakland Zoo, he had three female companions: Donna, M’Dunda, and Lisa. M’Dunda died in 2019 and Lisa was euthanized in March of 2023. Six months later Donna was moved to The Elephant Sanctuary, and now the zoo has finally allowed Osh to join her.
In anticipation of Osh’s arrival, the sanctuary built the Bull Barns and Habitat. Osh and Artie, the Sanctuary’s other male African elephant, each get 3000-square-foot barns and 3.5 acre habitats to roam. The two will be separated by a fence until they get accustomed to each other.
After a 46-hour journey from the Zoo, Osh reached the Sanctuary in Tennessee, and his new life began.
“Just hours after arriving, Osh ventured into his habitat, sampling the vegetation Tennessee has to offer and began pushing against trees,” The Elephant Sanctuary posted in an update on Instagram. “Artie even made an appearance, watching with apparent curiosity from across the transition yard as Osh explored his new environment.”
And Osh has new friends coming soon!
In the next year, two more elephants — Mikki and Punch — will leave the Louisville Zoo behind for happy new lives at The Elephant Sanctuary, as reported by Lady Freethinker. The great hope is that more zoos will follow suit, granting more elephants the life they deserve — spending their days roaming acres of land, splashing in ponds, rolling in mud, and enjoying the companionship of other elephants.
Lady Freethinker applauds the work done by The Elephant Sanctuary and thanks them for giving Osh a new home to live out his days. And we appreciate the Oakland Zoo recognizing Osh rightly deserves the vast open space, care, and companionship The Elephant Sanctuary can provide for him.
