Osh was born in captivity at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Littlebourne, England in 1994. He spent his first nine years there with a herd of 14 elephants before being transferred to Oakland Zoo in California in 2004. At Oakland, Osh lived with African females Donna, M’Dunda, and Lisa. Donna, born in 1980, was transferred to The Elephant Sanctuary in 2023 after M’Dunda passed away in 2019 at age 50, followed by Lisa, age 46, in 2023.

In a decision primarily focused on Osh’s long-term care and companionship, Oakland Zoo chose to relocate him to The Elephant Sanctuary, where he would join Donna and have continued social opportunities.

On October 18th, 2024, Osh became the 34th resident and The Elephant Sanctuary’s second permanent African male elephant.

Weighing 15,000 pounds and standing 11 feet 2 inches tall, Osh is most recognizable by his single tusk and prominent cheekbones. Osh has joined Artie, an African male elephant, at The Sanctuary’s Bull Barns and Habitat.

Osh can often be seen on The Sanctuary’s live Elecams exploring his habitat, pushing over small trees and munching on plenty of browse. He does well with his Protected Contact training and is known for making soft “bubble” noises when interacting with Caregivers. Care Staff report that Osh is almost always covered in mud, finding mud wallows everywhere he explores. He has a preference for beet pulp, pineapple, and very large watermelons!

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