Argentina Leads the Way: A Country Without Elephants in Captivity
A movement is underway to end elephant captivity, and Argentina has taken a historic step forward.
In July 2025, Argentina became a nation without elephants in captivity, ending approximately 136 years of keeping these extraordinary animals in zoos.
This milestone was the result of years of public advocacy, government leadership, international collaboration, and a growing commitment to animal wellbeing.
Argentina’s story demonstrates something powerful: when communities rethink the purpose of zoos, meaningful transformation is possible.
From Buenos Aires Zoo to Ecopark
In 2016, the city of Buenos Aires made a bold decision to close its historic 140-year-old zoo and transform the property into an ecological park focused on conservation, education, animal rehabilitation, and environmental protection.
Rather than continuing to exhibit exotic animals, the city began the complex process of relocating them to sanctuaries and other appropriate facilities.
By April 2025, the Buenos Aires Ecopark had completed more than 1,000 animal relocations.
The transformation also created new possibilities for the historic property. Former animal enclosures and buildings were repurposed for veterinary medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, conservation research, and public education.
The Ecopark now supports programs protecting native wildlife, including threatened species, while preserving the site’s historic architecture and green spaces.
The vision shifted from displaying wildlife to helping protect it.
Explore the Buenos Aires Ecopark
A New Life for Argentina’s Elephants
Among the animals whose futures needed to be reconsidered were the elephants that had spent decades in captivity.
In 2020, Mara, an Asian elephant who had lived for years at Buenos Aires Zoo, was transferred to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, operated by Global Sanctuary for Elephants.
In April 2025, Pupy, an African elephant who had spent more than three decades at the former zoo, followed her to the sanctuary.
Her carefully coordinated journey covered approximately 2,700 kilometers over five days, involving veterinary specialists, government agencies, sanctuary experts, and animal welfare organizations.
Then, in July 2025, Kenya, the last elephant remaining in captivity in Argentina, was transferred from Mendoza Ecopark to the same sanctuary in Brazil.
Her departure marked a historic milestone: for the first time in more than a century, no elephants remained captive in Argentina.
These transitions took years of preparation and extraordinary cooperation.
Sadly, Pupy and Kenya both died later in 2025, only months after reaching sanctuary. Their deaths underscore the importance of veterinary care, careful planning, and the long-term health challenges facing elephants who have spent decades in captivity.
Their stories remain part of Argentina’s larger commitment to ending elephant captivity.
Read National Geographic’s coverage of Kenya’s journey
A New Purpose for Zoo Land
Perhaps the most inspiring part of Argentina’s transformation is that the story did not end when the animals left.
The former Buenos Aires Zoo continues to evolve into a place where people can connect with nature through education, conservation, and ecological restoration.
Its work includes rehabilitating injured wildlife, supporting threatened native species, conducting research, and protecting biodiversity.
The transformation has faced challenges, including difficult animal relocations and concerns about management. Yet it provides a working example of how a city can reconsider the purpose of an established zoo without abandoning its responsibility to animals or the community.
The land remains a public asset, but its purpose is being reimagined.
Read The Guardian’s report on the reinvention of Buenos Aires Zoo
Argentina Shows What Is Possible
Argentina’s achievement is more than the closure of elephant exhibits.
It is evidence that long-standing traditions can change when scientific understanding, compassion, public leadership, and practical solutions come together.
Its journey offers lessons for zoos and communities around the world: develop a clear vision, engage experienced partners, plan responsibly for each animal, and imagine new possibilities for the land.
A country once known for exhibiting elephants has become a country without elephants in captivity.
