Nation's Last 4 Circus Elephants Just Got Good News

Ramboline, Lara, Djunga, and Jenny should be jumping for joy with the news that Denmark's last four circus elephants are now government property. The country's Ministry of Environment and Food has paid two circuses the equivalent of $1.6 million to acquire the elephants, reports the BBC. Their future had been uncertain because of a ban on wild animals in circuses expected to take effect later this year. They are now to receive a comfortable, well-deserved retirement.

An animal rights group will care for the elephants until the government finds a facility capable of "the highest level of welfare," per the Copenhagen Post, which hints at adverse reactions among taxpayers given that the final price came in above the initial offer of $1 million. The elephants are to be moved in four to eight months, and at no cost to the approved facility. Benny Berdino—manager of Circus Arena, which owned three of the elephants—tells the AP he hopes the animals enjoy retirement. Still, it's "sad to have to say goodbye." (This circus now opts for holograms.)