PICTURES OF EXPORTED TULI ELEPHANTS RELEASED FOR THE WORLD TO SEE

Animal rights activists from the Wildlife Action Group (WAG) have released shocking photographs of some of the seven Tuli elephants, which arrived in Europe on January 14 this year.

The photographs show the cramped conditions under which four of the young animals have been held in Dresden Zoo in Germany for the past eight months, isolated from their companions and living in near solitary confinement. The young elephants, who were flown out of South Africa in spite of worldwide protest, spent the first three months of their time at Dresden Zoo indoors because the zoo did not have a suitable outside run. Their current living space is three hundred square metres, a much smaller living area than they would have in the wild. In addition, a report about the appalling conditions under which the elephants are being kept, compiled by Dr Susan Boardman of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), has been rejected by the man who claimed to be ensuring the welfare of the elephants at African GameServices last year, Dr Hym Ebedees.

"Contrary to popular belief, the Tuli elephant issue is far from over," said WAG spokesman Clive Ramsbottom.

"WAG remains concerned about the conditions under which all the young elephants are being kept, with the exception of those at Marekele Game Reserve. It is vital that the public is made aware that all 30 animals have not been saved from a grim fate. Seven are languishing in jail-like conditions in European zoos, nine are living at a hunting lodge called Sandhurst Safaris in North West Province, and five could still go to one of Riccardo Ghiazza's friends, Craig Saunders, who witnessed the initial mahout training and testified on behalf of Mr Ghiazza in court."

Photographs showing the cramped conditions under which the young elephants were held, as well as some published on http://www.elephant.se/ of 2 of our Tuli elephants (Mogli & Lulu)  in the Dresden zoo and .