Cher Appeals to Armenian President for the Release of Yerevan Zoo’s Lone Elephant, Bunka

Renowned singer and animal rights advocate Cher has urged Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan to facilitate the release of Bunka, the only elephant at Yerevan Zoo. In a heartfelt letter, Cher, who is also a co-founder of the animal welfare group Free The Wild, appealed to Armenia’s leadership to transfer the elephant to a sanctuary where it can thrive.

“His well-being is in your hands, and I believe the Armenian leadership has the heart to make the right decision,” Cher wrote, emphasizing the importance of compassion and ethical treatment of animals.

The movement to free Bunka has been gaining traction since 2021, led by Mark Stratton, a travel and environmental journalist. Stratton’s online “Free Bunka” campaign has so far garnered 85,000 signatures from supporters worldwide. The campaign highlights concerns about the elephant's well-being, advocating for its relocation to a more suitable environment outside Armenia.

Cher’s letter frames the act of releasing Bunka as a potential milestone for Armenia, portraying it as a country committed to animal welfare. “This act of compassion will be a wonderful reflection on Yerevan Zoo, highlighting Armenia’s commitment to animal welfare and strengthening its position as a global leader in compassion,” she wrote.

WATCH OUR REPORT ON BUNKA FROM 2023:

In 2022, independent experts raised alarms about Bunka’s physical and mental health. The elephant was reported to be underweight, with reddened eyes, foot issues, and signs of distress attributed to isolation. Elephants are highly social animals, and Bunka’s solitary existence has fueled criticism from animal welfare groups and international observers.

Despite these concerns, Yerevan’s municipal authorities maintain that Bunka is under constant professional care. The city announced that a specialized consultant, Tobias Dornbusch, is scheduled to visit in 2024 to assess Bunka’s condition.

The municipality has resisted calls to relocate Bunka, instead committing to constructing a new enclosure for the elephant at the zoo. The project is part of a broader AMD 200 million renovation plan for Yerevan Zoo in the 2025 budget. Officials also acknowledged the need for social enrichment, pledging to introduce another elephant to keep Bunka company in the future.

However, critics argue that these measures fall short of addressing the root problem: the inability of the zoo to meet the complex needs of such a large and intelligent animal. Advocates for Bunka’s release point to sanctuaries as the only viable solution to ensure the elephant’s long-term well-being.

Both the President's office and the Yerevan Mayor’s office have confirmed receiving Cher’s letter to The Armenian Report but have yet to issue a formal response. We reached out to both offices but was told no decisions or statements have been made regarding Bunka’s future.

Bunka’s plight has placed Yerevan Zoo under the international spotlight, with activists, celebrities, and the public urging Armenia to act decisively. As the campaign to free Bunka continues to grow, the Armenian government faces a choice: invest in zoo infrastructure or grant the elephant a chance to live freely in a sanctuary.