Bunka (elephant)

Species: Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

Captive at: Yerevan Zoo, Armenia

Sex: Male

Date of birth: Dec 30, 2007

Origin: Captive born

Location of birth: Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia

Mother: Malka

Father: Bacho

History

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 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.^[3]