Dear Ms Creecy

I find myself confused, astounded and dismayed at your lack of integrity and your failure to respond to international demands by those far more knowledgable than I, to re-home Charlie the elephant stranded in barbaric conditions at the Pretoria Zoo because of your failure to act.

How do you, someone who has previously acted to help free others who were subjugated and oppressed under apartheid, fail to see that you're now inflicting oppression on another creature? How have you failed to see the opportunity to help this depressed elephant as a a fundamental part of your responsibility? Yes, yours, personally, as much as your arguably bureaucratically crippled department.

It appears that your department, under your guidance, has often allowed elephants to die in avoidable circumstances. I hope you will reflect deeply on the consequences of your lack of action and act soon to help Charlie by finding him a home and a herd.