After 40 Years of Performing in a Circus and Being Trapped in a Zoo, Duma the Elephant Is Finally Free

For Duma the elephant, life has never tasted so sweet. After 40 years in captivity, including 20 years working in a circus, this solitary African elephant is finally free and has arrived at his forever home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa. Previously named Charlie, Duma was given his current name by his rescuers—a name they think is more “suitable and respectful” for the giant African bull elephant. “Duma” is an African word that roughly means “to be dominating and thunder-like,” according to The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn (EMS) Foundation. Duma has been released into his first natural area at Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa. (Courtesy of The Elizabeth Margaret Steyn Foundation) “He is a very curious, incredibly intelligent, strong-willed, resilient, and brave elephant,” Megan Carr, senior researcher and lead of the Towards Freedom program at The EMS Foundation, told The Epoch Times....