KUKY & PUPY
Female African Elephants
WAITING FOR SANCTUARY
credit for all photos on this page: Tomás Francisco Cuesta
Ages
32 years old. They were both born in 1990.
Current Location
Ecoparque Buenos Aires, Argentina
Personalities
Kuky is dominant over Pupy, but they get along fairly well. Pupy is curious and peaceful. Kuky is expressive and energetic.
Histories
They arrived at the zoo in 1993 from Africa and have lived at the zoo most of their lives.
Health
Kuky has some GI troubles. Pupy has an issue with her back right ankle.
Body Conditions
Both elephants are overweight and appear older than their years.
Factoid
They both arrived together and were welcomed by a female Asian elephant named Norma, who adored them, but passed away in April of 1995. Mara arrived in November 1995.
Their Story From Zoo...



Kuky and Pupy, former enclosure mates with Mara, reside in what was once known as the Hindu Temple of Elephants in the Buenos Aires Ecoparque. According to records, the two arrived at the ecoparque together in 1993 from Kruger National Park in South Africa. There is no known reliable documentation on their date of birth, or if they are related, but both African elephants are believed to be in their 30s. Pupy and Kuky are deeply bonded.
The two elephants, referred to by ecoparque staff as “the Queens,” will eventually share a space with Kenya, the female African elephant from Mendoza.
The girls are very curious about anything new in their environment. As with most African elephants, both have strong character. Even so, we are told Kuky and Pupy are patient and calm during their veterinary check-ups at the ecoparque. Though we’ve had limited interactions with the two, Kuky seems to be a bit more playful and perhaps slightly more dominant. However, on our last trip to the ecoparque, Pupy’s personality seemed to show more spark. It is difficult to know who they are, though we anticipate they will blossom at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil.
Kuky and Pupy love watermelon and, during the summer, the caregivers at the ecoparque make them fruit popsicles (fruit cut up into a bucket of water and frozen). They also enjoy dry tree branches, bamboo, and Pupy especially loves grass hay.
We look forward to watching Kuky and Pupy transform after they make the journey to sanctuary. We are working closely with the ecoparque, which supports their move to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. The open space, trees, and grass, will certainly provide them with many opportunities to grow and discover who they really are.
To Waiting for Sanctuary.
Rescue Status
Agreement Signed
Done
Habitat Construction
Phase 1 of their habitat is complete.
(they will share a space with Kenya)
Brazilian License Obtained
In process
CITES Permit
Argentinian export permit obtained. Waiting on Brazilian import permit.
Quarantine Training
Mostly done
30-Day In-House Quarantine
No