Wild Namibian elephants illegally sold into captivity in UAE

This week on The New Arab Voice, we have a special audio version of an investigation from The New Arab. 

In March 2022, a group of wild Namibian elephants landed in the UAE. The New Arab's investigation reveals that the sale serves only to simulate an African safari experience in Emirati zoos with no benefit for the animals and Namibian locals.

This investigation tracked the elephants, from the initial auction and sale, to their removal, and ultimate transfer to facilitates in the UAE, whose suitability has been questioned.

Along the way, the investigation team looked at the people involved in the transfer, the status of the elephants and the habitats from which they came, and how their removal might threaten the existence  of the species. 

You can read the investigation in full here. 

This podcast is by Hugo Goodridge. Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.