Peru Approves Health Standards for Elephant Import, Sparking Zoo Return Hopes
Peru’s National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) has approved stringent health requirements for the import of elephants from the United Mexican States, paving the way for potential additions to the nation’s zoos. The resolution, published this Friday, January 23 in the Official Gazette The Peruvian, establishes a mandatory health framework designed to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases that could threaten animal, public, and agricultural health within the country.
The new standard, issued by Senasa’s Animal Health Directorate, is grounded in both the General Law of Agrarian Health and the provisions of the Andean Community regarding agricultural health. According to the official decree, any elephants imported must possess a health certificate of export issued by the Mexican authorities. This certificate must verify, among other criteria, that Mexico is currently free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination and that no cases of Rift Valley fever have been recorded within the 12 months preceding the shipment.
Furthermore, the regulations stipulate that imported elephants must have lived in captivity – specifically in zoos or other regulated establishments – since birth, or for at least six months prior to export. This requirement aims to minimize the risk of introducing diseases from wild populations. Traceability is also a key component, with each elephant requiring individual identification. The origin establishment must be free of diseases such as rabies, smallpox, anthrax, and the potentially fatal elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV).
A minimum 45-day isolation period is mandated before export, during which the animals will undergo testing for salmonellosis and receive both internal and external antiparasitic treatments. Senasa retains the authority to issue health import permits and implement additional health measures as deemed necessary to ensure full compliance. Upon arrival in Peru, a mandatory 30-day quarantine will be enforced, potentially including further diagnostic tests and treatments. Given that elephants are a threatened species, adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – including the necessary permits and certificates – is also compulsory.
The news has ignited speculation that the Parque de las Leyendas (Park of Legends) in Lima is poised to welcome elephants back to its grounds. The Municipality of Lima announced the Senasa approval via its Facebook account, and has been subtly hinting at the possibility for months. “Everything indicates that his new home would be in the Park of Legends,” a statement released by the municipality suggested, referencing clues and public curiosity surrounding the potential arrival.
While a formal announcement remains pending, observers note that the approval of these health standards represents a significant step forward. “If the Park of Legends has shown anything in recent years, it is that when it generates expectations, it usually lives up to it,” one analyst commented.
The return of elephants would mark a significant moment for Peruvian wildlife conservation. The last elephant to reside in Peru, an Asian elephant named “Dumbo,” was a beloved attraction at the Parque de las Leyendas for many years before his death in 1998. His passing left a void in the country’s zoological landscape, and the prospect of a new generation of elephants now captivates the public imagination.
Mexico currently houses elephants in several zoos and conservation centers. The San Juan de Aragón Zoo in Mexico City, for example, is home to three African elephants – Ely, Gipsy, and Annie – who share an enclosure exceeding international standards for captive care. Africam Safari in Puebla has emerged as the largest African elephant reserve in Latin America, currently housing 17 specimens and having welcomed four babies during the pandemic.
Image of an elephant’s foot published by the Municipality of Lima
The successful import of elephants will depend on continued collaboration between Senasa, Mexican authorities, and the Parque de las Leyendas, but the recent approval of health standards signals a promising future for these majestic creatures in Peru.
