Cher writes to Armenia's president about an elephant in the room
Bunka arrived at Yerevan zoo in 2017 as a seven-year-old, brought in to replace Grant, the zoo's famous elephant, who had suffered from his solitude. Now, campaigners argue that Bunka faces the same challenge, suffering psychological harm, and are advocating for his relocation to a more suitable sanctuary outside Armenia.
The campaign, established in 2022, however, made big headlines last week when Cher, the iconic American-Armenian singer, turned her attention to the matter. In an email addressed to the Armenian President and top government officials, Cher wrote, ”His wellbeing is in your hands, and I believe the Armenian leadership has the heart to make the right decision.” Cher's voice adds to the growing momentum of the FreeBunka initiative, which has already gathered 85,000 signatures.
The Yerevan municipality has resisted calls to relocate Bunka, instead promising a new space for the elephant as part of the zoo renovation plan. However, advocates for Bunka's release argue that sanctuaries are the only viable option to guarantee the elephant's long-term wellbeing. As the campaign to free Bunka continues to grow, the Armenian government faces a choice: invest in a new enclosure or grant the elephant a chance to live freely in a sanctuary.
The elephants at the Yerevan zoo haven't had much luck. In 1970, the zoo's first elephant, Vova, made international headlines after escaping onto a nearby avenue. Historic photos show the elephant wandering the city as a Soviet-era military tank attempted to stop him, a tragic episode that became the last for Vova. More recently, Grant, the previous resident, fell ill and was sent to Tbilisi after losing his companion. Environmental activists argue that the lack of suitable partners and inadequate conditions continue to harm the wellbeing of Yerevan's elephants.