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(Created page with "History Bunka is a solitary Asian elephant living in captivity at the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia. He was born in captivity to parents Malka and Bacho at the Tbilisi Zoo in Georgia on the 30 December 2007. Bunka's father Bacho died in August 2008 at Tbilisi Zoo of autointoxication caused by peritonitis and hemorrhagic of duodenum. Bunka was originally intended to be transferred to Antwerp Zoo but this did not go ahead, possibly as a result of biosecurity import restrictions...")
 
 
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History
{{Infobox animal|name=Bunka|image=Bunka elephant 3.jpg|species=Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)|gender=Male|birth_place=Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia|residence=Yerevan Zoo, Armeni|alt=Bunka the elephant at the Yerevan Zoo, Armeni. Photo: Mark Stratton|caption=Bunka the elephant at the Yerevan Zoo, Armeni. Photo: Mark Stratton|birth_date=Dec 30, 2007|parents=Mother: Malka Father: Bacho}}
Bunka is a solitary Asian elephant living in captivity at the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia. He was born in captivity to parents Malka and Bacho at the Tbilisi Zoo in Georgia on the 30 December 2007. Bunka's father Bacho died in August 2008 at Tbilisi Zoo of autointoxication caused by peritonitis and hemorrhagic of duodenum.


Bunka was originally intended to be transferred to Antwerp Zoo but this did not go ahead, possibly as a result of biosecurity import restrictions at the time. Bukna was transferred to the Yerevan Zoo on the 9 July 2014 to replace Grand who was suffering with dental problems and two broken tusks.
[[File:Bunka elephant 2.jpg|alt=Bunka at Yerevan Zoo, Armenia. Photo credit: Mark Stratton|thumb|Bunka at Yerevan Zoo, Armenia. Photo credit: [https://www.markstrattontravels.com/ Mark Stratton]]]'''Bunka''' is a solitary Asian [[elephant]] living in captivity at the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia. He was born in captivity to parents Malka and Bacho at the Tbilisi Zoo in Georgia on the 30 December 2007. Bunka's father Bacho died in August 2008 at Tbilisi Zoo of autointoxication caused by peritonitis and hemorrhagic of duodenum.


Born Free UK describes Bunka's conditions as:
Bunka was originally intended to be transferred to Antwerp Zoo but this did not go ahead, possibly as a result of biosecurity import restrictions at the time. Bukna was transferred to the Yerevan Zoo on the 9 July 2014<ref>[https://archive.ph/58nTY Elephant Bunka Has Left For Erevan Zoo]</ref> to replace Grand who was suffering with dental problems and two broken tusks.


poor conditions, made worse when combined with the freezing winter temperatures in Armenia, provide a bleak existence for elephants. In 2021, Bunka was seen shut in his small inside quarters as snow fell outside, pacing in endless circles. His available outside area is a baren pen with nothing for him to do or stimulate his sad life in any way.[1]
Born Free UK describes Bunka's conditions as:<blockquote>poor conditions, made worse when combined with the freezing winter temperatures in Armenia, provide a bleak existence for elephants. In 2021, Bunka was seen shut in his small inside quarters as snow fell outside, pacing in endless circles. His available outside area is a baren pen with nothing for him to do or stimulate his sad life in any way.<ref>[https://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/bunka-the-elephant Bunka the Elephant] Born Free</ref></blockquote>Mark Stratton a British travel writer, broadcaster and photographer started Friends of Bunka with Tina Papadopoulou in April 2021. They began the campaign 'Free Bunka' with a mission to relocate him to a sanctuary.An assessment by Friends of Bunka was performed in November 2022. During the inspection for the report, Bunka's physical health was found to be poor, with signs of malnutrition, weight loss, cracked nails, and dry skin. The lack of proper enclosure and enrichment resulted in boredom and vacuum behavior.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3hqIPTTrx4 Free Bunka the elephant with Mark Stratton] YouTube</ref> The report stated:<blockquote>We recommend Yerevan Zoo consider the option of releasing Bunka to an established elephant sanctuary. This would be the best option for his future because credible sanctuaries offer large natural spaces that support elephants’ innate behaviours. They also have established management practices that support elephants to re-assert a degree of autonomy and offer opportunities for socialisation and more natural living.<ref>[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6280f68033208a366cb1e98c/t/63fbd38f9bac5336e38300e1/1677448086131/Assessment+report_+Asian+male+elephant+Bunka+6+Feb+2023.pdf ASSESSMENT REPORT Asian male elephant Bunka] Friends of Bunka</ref></blockquote>
Free Bunka
Help raise awareness for Bunka. Download this image and share Bunka's story using #FreeBunka Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
Mark Stratton a British travel writer, broadcaster and photographer started Friends of Bunka with Tina Papadopoulou in April 2021. They began the campaign to Free Bunka and relocate him to a sanctuary. An assessment by Friends of Bunka performed in November 2022 concluded:


We recommend Yerevan Zoo consider the option of releasing Bunka to an established elephant sanctuary. This would be the best option for his future because credible sanctuaries offer large natural spaces that support elephants’ innate behaviours. They also have established management practices that support elephants to re-assert a degree of autonomy and offer opportunities for socialisation and more natural living. [2]
==Transfers==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Date
!Origin
!Destination
|-
|9 July 2014
|Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia
|Yerevan Zoo, Armenia
|}
==Previous elephants at Yerevan Zoo==
*Vova who was killed aged 43 after destroying a barricade and escaping the zoo.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxvsvI7TmCA&ab_channel=%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B6%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6%D5%B0%D5%A5%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%A8%D5%B6%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%2F%D4%B1%D6%80%D5%AD%D5%AB%D5%BE The fight ended with Vova's defeat] YouTube</ref>
*Candy whose cause of death is unknown.
==See also==
 
* [[The effects of captivity on elephants]]
* [[List of captive elephants]]
* [[Lists of captive animals]]
* {{See also/elephant}}
 
== Interviews ==
 
* [[Interview:Free Bunka with Mark Stratton|Free Bunka with Mark Stratton]]
 
==External links==
* [http://www.freebunka.com/ Free Bunka] Friends of Bunka
* [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6280f68033208a366cb1e98c/t/63fbd38f9bac5336e38300e1/1677448086131/Assessment+report_+Asian+male+elephant+Bunka+6+Feb+2023.pdf ASSESSMENT REPORT Asian male elephant Bunka] PDF Friends of Bunka
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y83MhMRHk-An-qMgTHNKUhEY2q6I7buk/view Letter from PREN to the Zoo Management] Friends of Bunka
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUBRSXqv8-M Bunka inspection - Day 2] YouTube
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZoQhinKBDo Bunka The Elephant] YouTube
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoWDf875j70 Bunka the elephant in Yerevan Zoo] YouTube
* [https://www.theanimalreader.com/2022/12/03/elephants-living-alone-in-zoos-around-the-world/ Elephants living alone in zoos around the world] The Animal Reader
* [https://allaboutanimalsradio.com/latest-podcasts/Bunka-with-Mark-Stratton-2/#wbb2 Free Bunka with Mark Stratton] All About Animals Radio
* [https://allaboutanimalsradio.com/all-about-elephants/bunka/#wbb5 Mark Stratton & Bunka]  All About Animals Radio
* [https://econews.am/?l=am&p=12146 Բունկայի ընկերները»․ 70 000-ից ավելի մարդ կոչ է անում օգնել Երևանի կենդանաբանական այգու փղին (տեսանյութ) Նյութի աղբյուրը` Econews.am] ["Friends of Bunka". More than 70,000 people call to help the elephant of the Yerevan zoo]
* [https://www.bornfree.org.uk/publications/elephants-in-zoos-report Elephants in Zoos: A Legacy of Shame] Born Free
* [https://lonelyelephant.co.uk/ Lonely Elephant]
 
== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Elephants]]
[[Category:Yerevan Zoo]]
[[Category:Armenia]]
[[Category:Captive animals]]
[[Category:Captive elephants]]
[[Category:Captive elephants - living]]
[[Category:Solitary zoo elephants]]

Latest revision as of 21:06, 3 February 2024

Bunka
Bunka the elephant at the Yerevan Zoo, Armeni. Photo: Mark Stratton
Bunka the elephant at the Yerevan Zoo, Armeni. Photo: Mark Stratton
SpeciesAsian elephant (Elephas maximus)
SexMale
BornDec 30, 2007
Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia
Captive atYerevan Zoo, Armeni
Parent(s)Mother: Malka Father: Bacho
Bunka at Yerevan Zoo, Armenia. Photo credit: Mark Stratton
Bunka at Yerevan Zoo, Armenia. Photo credit: Mark Stratton

Bunka is a solitary Asian elephant living in captivity at the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia. He was born in captivity to parents Malka and Bacho at the Tbilisi Zoo in Georgia on the 30 December 2007. Bunka's father Bacho died in August 2008 at Tbilisi Zoo of autointoxication caused by peritonitis and hemorrhagic of duodenum.

Bunka was originally intended to be transferred to Antwerp Zoo but this did not go ahead, possibly as a result of biosecurity import restrictions at the time. Bukna was transferred to the Yerevan Zoo on the 9 July 2014[1] to replace Grand who was suffering with dental problems and two broken tusks.

Born Free UK describes Bunka's conditions as:

poor conditions, made worse when combined with the freezing winter temperatures in Armenia, provide a bleak existence for elephants. In 2021, Bunka was seen shut in his small inside quarters as snow fell outside, pacing in endless circles. His available outside area is a baren pen with nothing for him to do or stimulate his sad life in any way.[2]

Mark Stratton a British travel writer, broadcaster and photographer started Friends of Bunka with Tina Papadopoulou in April 2021. They began the campaign 'Free Bunka' with a mission to relocate him to a sanctuary.An assessment by Friends of Bunka was performed in November 2022. During the inspection for the report, Bunka's physical health was found to be poor, with signs of malnutrition, weight loss, cracked nails, and dry skin. The lack of proper enclosure and enrichment resulted in boredom and vacuum behavior.[3] The report stated:

We recommend Yerevan Zoo consider the option of releasing Bunka to an established elephant sanctuary. This would be the best option for his future because credible sanctuaries offer large natural spaces that support elephants’ innate behaviours. They also have established management practices that support elephants to re-assert a degree of autonomy and offer opportunities for socialisation and more natural living.[4]

Transfers

Date Origin Destination
9 July 2014 Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia Yerevan Zoo, Armenia

Previous elephants at Yerevan Zoo

  • Vova who was killed aged 43 after destroying a barricade and escaping the zoo.[5]
  • Candy whose cause of death is unknown.

See also

Interviews

External links

References

  1. ↑ Elephant Bunka Has Left For Erevan Zoo
  2. ↑ Bunka the Elephant Born Free
  3. ↑ Free Bunka the elephant with Mark Stratton YouTube
  4. ↑ ASSESSMENT REPORT Asian male elephant Bunka Friends of Bunka
  5. ↑ The fight ended with Vova's defeat YouTube
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