The last elephant at South Africa’s national zoo, Charlie, has been released into the wild after 40 years in captivity. Captured in Zimbabwe in 1984 when he was just two years old, Charlie was initially trained for circus performances before being moved to the national zoo in the early 2000s.

Animal welfare groups have long pushed for Charlie’s release due to concerns about his health. On Tuesday, the EMS Foundation announced that Charlie was successfully relocated to the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo province after a four-hour journey. This move followed years of negotiations with the South African government, supported by evidence showing the harmful effects of captivity on elephants.

While at the zoo, Charlie experienced distress, particularly after witnessing the deaths of other elephants, including his own calf. Despite initial opposition from zoo management, animal welfare organizations eventually succeeded in securing his release. Now, Charlie lives in a 10,000-hectare reserve with other elephants, closely monitored by veterinary experts. Dr. Amir Khalil, who oversaw the transfer, is hopeful that Charlie will recover and adjust to his new environment, eventually integrating into the elephant community at Shambala.