There are three elephants at the Johannesburg Zoo—Lemi (47 years old), Ramadiba (28 years old), and Mpani (26 years old)—who are the last elephants in a traditional South African zoo. These animals have become the focus of ongoing litigation as animal welfare organizations insist on their relocation to a reserve instead of keeping them in the zoo environment.
The three elephants entered their enclosure in a line, with fruits and vegetables scattered on the ground to stimulate natural foraging. For visitors to the popular Johannesburg Zoo, this was an opportunity to see Africa's largest land animal live. However, for animal activists, this scene represents cruelty that they are trying to stop through legal action demanding the trio be freed to live in a rewilding reserve.
In May, the campaign presented the court with observational data indicating that Lemi, Ramadiba, and Mpani show signs of stress and depression. The parties behind the case stated: 'These elephants possess high intelligence, a complex social structure, and are sentient beings living in conditions that harm their well-being, resulting in distress.' They argued that the court should 'allow their immediate release into a suitable reserve... where they can recover.'
Megan Carr, a senior researcher at EMS Foundation involved in the filing, reported that a decision is expected in the coming weeks. She emphasized that these three elephants are the only ones remaining in the urban zoo setting on the continent. Carr noted: 'They are the last three elephants presented within the exhibition framework of a traditional zoo setting in South Africa and Africa.'
This legal initiative followed the success of activists who managed to secure the release of a 42-year-old elephant from the Pretoria National Zoo into a private reserve in 2024 after years of negotiations with the South African government. This individual animal spent 40 years in the institution.
When the AFP team visited the Johannesburg Zoo, a group of small children approached the viewing platform, shouting, 'Elephant! Elephant!', while the three animals moved through their enclosure. Lemi, who is solely focused on food, was born at the zoo, which is one of the few cases in South Africa among numerous state and private reserves or game reserves. Ramadiba and Mpani arrived in 2019.
A representative from the Johannesburg City Parks, Jenny Mudli, reported that the trio of elephants is under good care and recently underwent a clean medical examination. According to the official, who declined to speak to the media, the facility can accommodate up to five elephants, and each animal receives attention from two keepers, while food is hidden throughout the enclosure to encourage walking and foraging.
The administration of the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo does not wish to release the elephants, arguing that they are adapted to captivity, especially Lemi, who has never lived elsewhere. Tunduksol Mendreu, the managing director, stated in documents submitted to the court following failed negotiations that if the animals are relocated, the zoo will lose the ability to provide important research and public education opportunities. He added that having animals in the zoo program allowed schoolchildren, especially from less affluent backgrounds, to see them live.
Carr countered this position by asking, 'Why show a compromised elephant to a child when it is much easier for them to watch elephants on video or television?' She stressed that 'they require vast space to remain healthy and strong, and no enclosure can offer that to an elephant.'
According to activists, the elephants spend the night in two communal bomas or enclosures, each measuring 160 square meters, which is smaller than a medium tennis court. During the day, they are allowed to move freely in an unenclosed area, which is significantly larger, approximately the size of a football field. The government reported last August that there are about 44,000 African savanna elephants in South Africa, of which about 6,000 belong to private individuals or communities.
The rainy season is considered favorable for plant growth and maintaining their green condition. Thanks to the air humidity and cool weather during the monsoon season, many plants begin to actively produce new leaves and branches. Tulsi is also among these plants, for which rain is an ideal time for rapid growth. However, relying solely on rain is not enough; excess water, constant humidity, and lack of sunlight can lead to root rot and yellowing leaves.
If you want your indoor tulsi bush to be not just green, but very dense with many branches, you need to slightly adjust your care approach during the rainy period. By following a few simple rules, you can significantly improve the growth of tulsi.
To achieve a dense and green appearance, tulsi requires regular pruning. Gently pinching the top growing tip with your fingers stimulates the appearance of new side shoots from below. This allows the plant to develop as a shrub rather than just growing one long stem.
It is also recommended to timely remove flower stalks or flowers that appear on the tulsi. This directs the plant's energy not towards seed formation, but towards the development of new leaves and branches.
During the monsoon season, the greatest harm to the tulsi plant can be caused by excess water. Since constant rain already makes the soil in the pot moist, additional external watering is not required. Before watering, check the top layer of the soil with your finger; water only if the soil is dry. Furthermore, the pot must have drainage holes so that water can flow out freely. Waterlogging leads to the rotting of tulsi roots.
For good tulsi development, a sufficient level of light is necessary. During rainy days, there are often cloudy periods, so the plant should be placed in a spot where it receives as much natural light as possible. If possible, expose the tulsi to a sunny spot for several hours daily. Good lighting promotes the retention of healthy leaf color and improves overall plant growth.
For tulsi to become dense, it is necessary not only to fertilize it but also to ensure the correct soil composition. The soil should allow water to pass through easily, rather than stagnating. To do this, you can mix garden soil with sand or fine gravel and add well-rotted organic compost. This prevents the soil from becoming heavy and ensures air access to the roots, which is especially important during the rainy season.
When the plant is actively growing in the monsoon season, it needs nutrients. Small amounts of vermicompost or well-rotted organic fertilizer can be added to the soil periodically. Excessive fertilization can harm the plant instead of benefiting it, so it is better to fertilize in moderate doses, based on the plant's needs.
Under conditions of high humidity during the rainy season, small insects or fungal problems may appear on the tulsi. Therefore, it is worth inspecting the leaves and stems every one or two weeks. If pests are found, a neem spray can be used.
In a special edition of the CGTN series 'Inside El Niño,' a report was presented on the state of Bahia in Brazil, which is a historical center for cocoa cultivation. Producers are closely monitoring the development of a strong El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean after a previous major event led to crop destruction due to severe drought.
On traditional farms where cocoa has been cultivated for generations under the Atlantic Forest, the sensitivity of this harvest to drought periods means that any disruption during the long production cycle can sharply reduce yields and seriously undermine farmers' livelihoods.
Although the industry continues to cope with the aftermath of past fungal outbreaks, which previously significantly reduced production, researchers are working on developing drought-resistant varieties and considering a shift to drier territories as a long-term strategy for ensuring crop security.
As Brazil aims to supply high-quality specialty cocoa and chocolate to growing markets such as China, the stakes extend beyond local plantations, affecting global supply chains and the economic sustainability of communities dependent on this climate-vulnerable crop.
The appearance of flower stalks on tulsi is common, but if the goal is to obtain a denser bush with more leaves, regularly removing old or excessive flower stalks will be beneficial. It is also important to remove dry, yellow, or damaged leaves.
Caring for tulsi in the monsoon season is not just about watering and fertilizing. If the plant is provided with proper lighting, limited watering, soil with good drainage, timely pinching, and balanced nutrition, its growth can be significantly improved. The most important thing is to avoid overwatering due to excessive attention to the plant during the rainy season.
