Rhanee was captured from Thailand in 1969. She was sold to a circus where she spent the next three decades performing. The prosecution that ended her miserable life in the circus was brought about by an investigation by animal rights group, Animal Defenders, but although the other elephants were sold to zoos within the UK by their owner, Mary Chipperfield Promotions, Rhanee disappeared and her whereabouts were unknown.
However Rhanee was found. She lives at the Valwo Zoo in Spain (owned by Parques Reunidos). She previously had a companion, Costa who is now dead.
Rhanee lived in a dusty little yard alone. Although the zoo answered protests with a few changes. A pool was dug and a rudimentary shelter built.
At the beginning of 2004 Rhanee was sent to another zoo for a brief stay while her exhibit was renovated. She had a brief stay at another Parques Reunidos zoo, 'Selwo Adventure.’ Rhanee returned to Valwo Zoo on the 6th of April with Toto for company - another Female Asian elephant.
Although Rhanee seems to be at ease while with Toto there are still problems. Rhanee still displays a significant amount of disturbed, stereotypic behavior, such as weaving her head from side to side and head bobbing. These are the physical manifestations of the mental scars of isolation, deprivation, severe confinement and violence. Her yard is far too small for an animal that normally travels up to 50miles a day. She and Toto need the companionship of a herd of female elephants, which live in complex matriarchal herds.