Her name is Baby, she is an elephant and is over forty years old. Her story begins far away, when she was just two years old and was taken from her wild life. Since then, its existence has been a long sequence of exploitation: traveling circuses, fairs, film sets and photo shoots. A path built entirely around human enjoyment, without ever considering their physical and psychological needs.
From spectacle to condemnation
For decades Baby has been used under circus tents and in the most disparate contexts, often subjected to coercive tools, symbols of a management based on control and fear. The turning point came when her trainer was condemned by French justice, with a definitive ban on continuing to exploit her. But instead of true liberation, a new chapter of isolation has opened for the elephant.
Exile in Tunisia
After the conviction, Baby was transferred to the Belvédère zoo in Tunis, where she has been since May 2023. Here she lives alone, separated from her peers, in an enclosure which, according to animal rights associations, does not meet the minimum needs of an elephant. An empty basin of water, fundamental for his health, and the absence of environmental stimuli aggravate an already fragile condition.
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A life characterized by physical pain and psychological suffering
Baby has always suffered from a serious disability in his left hind leg, a direct consequence of being captured at a young age. Today the organizations that monitor her fear that her right front leg is also compromised, making every movement painful. Added to this are obvious signs of psychological stress, such as repetitive and stereotyped movements, indicators of profound and chronic suffering.
Exposed and vulnerable
Despite her age and health conditions, Baby continues to be exhibited to the public. According to the Free Life association, the elephant is frequently the victim of harassment by visitors, who throw food, stones and waste at it. A situation that highlights the total lack of protection and respect for an animal that is now extremely vulnerable.
Fundraising for an alternative
Free Life has already identified a specialized sanctuary ready to welcome Baby and offer her adequate care and an environment closer to her natural needs. The goal now is to secure the elephant’s urgent relocation and end its lifelong captivity. A fundraiser has been started to support the legal, logistical and monitoring costs, not only for Baby but also for other elephants in similar conditions.
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