“Most of us who have gone to the Oakland Zoo know Osh—perhaps not by name, but we know he is Oakland Zoo’s only elephant and he is moving to a sanctuary in Tennessee this fall.” – Logan Bergmark, 7th grade
Oakland Zoo’s only elephant, Osh, is moving to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee this fall after 20 years with the zoo. Osh is a 30 year-old male African elephant who has been a valuable member of the Oakland Zoo. He will become the second permanent bull elephant at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, and will even get the chance to reunite with Donna, the Oakland Zoo’s elephant that moved there last year!
“Although it's difficult to say farewell to Osh, we're filled with joy knowing he's found a new home at The Sanctuary,” said Isabella Linares, Marketing Manager at the Oakland Zoo. “He will have the opportunity to socialize and develop relationships with many other elephants over his lifetime. Something that we could not offer him here. Those of us who know and love him, including our Oakland Zoo community, will miss him terribly.” He has been here for a long time, but he will have great opportunities at the sanctuary.
“Well, I’m kinda sad because there won't be any elephants at the zoo, at least not for a while,” states Alice Stewart, a Literary Arts student who has been going to the zoo since she was little.
“Although it's difficult to say farewell to Osh, we're filled with joy knowing he's found a new home at The Sanctuary,” said Isabella Linares, Marketing Manager at the Oakland Zoo. “He will have the opportunity to socialize and develop relationships with many other elephants over his lifetime. Something that we could not offer him here. Those of us who know and love him, including our Oakland Zoo community, will miss him terribly.” He has been here for a long time, but he will have great opportunities at the sanctuary.
“Well, I’m kinda sad because there won't be any elephants at the zoo, at least not for a while,” states Alice Stewart, a Literary Arts student who has been going to the zoo since she was little.
“Osh will eventually have the opportunity to get to know Artie across fence lines, as well as The Sanctuary's female African elephants, and we are hopeful that Osh and Donna will have the chance to reunite!” The Elephant Sanctuary shares, Artie was The Elephant Sanctuary’s only male African elephant before Osh came along
“People won’t be able to visit Osh in person, but The Elephant Sanctuary (has) multiple webcams available for people to keep up with Osh when he moves to his new home.” informs Linares. The link to the webcams is here. Although people won’t see Osh in person, Oakland Zoo feels that this is the best opportunity for Osh.
“The Zoo can explore different options for Osh’s former habitat, including bringing in a new species to take residence. The Zoo must invest significantly in renovating the 35-year-old habitat (including the barn and behind-the-scenes areas) and evaluate the long-term wellbeing of whichever species it commits to.” says Isabelle Linares in their article Saying Farewell to Osh: Oakland Zoo Prepares for the Departure of Their Beloved Male African Elephant. Despite Osh leaving the zoo, he will always remain in our hearts.
“People won’t be able to visit Osh in person, but The Elephant Sanctuary (has) multiple webcams available for people to keep up with Osh when he moves to his new home.” informs Linares. The link to the webcams is here. Although people won’t see Osh in person, Oakland Zoo feels that this is the best opportunity for Osh.
“The Zoo can explore different options for Osh’s former habitat, including bringing in a new species to take residence. The Zoo must invest significantly in renovating the 35-year-old habitat (including the barn and behind-the-scenes areas) and evaluate the long-term wellbeing of whichever species it commits to.” says Isabelle Linares in their article Saying Farewell to Osh: Oakland Zoo Prepares for the Departure of Their Beloved Male African Elephant. Despite Osh leaving the zoo, he will always remain in our hearts.
