Mundi is a wild-born African savanna elephant, one of 63 young African elephants brought to the United States by eccentric millionaire Arthur Jones in 1984. Jones orchestrated a rescue mission to bring the calves to his Jumbolair estate in Ocala, Florida after mass culling organized by the Zimbabwe government left them orphaned.

In 1986, Jones broke up the young herd and sold them to zoos, circuses, and private individuals. Following a brutal attack that left her with one blind eye and a permanently damaged tusk, Mundi was sold to the zoo in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Mundi has been on display at the zoo since 1988. For nearly 35 years, she has lived alone in an area of about 15,000 square feet with access to an enclosed shelter where she is chained at night.

The zoo has been closed to the public for years, resulting in growing financial difficulties and the loss of its USDA license.

In 2018, Mundi was under contract to come to ERNA, but the struggling government imploded, and all contracts were canceled.

Finally, in February 2023, the US Department of Justice ordered the zoo's closure and the relocation of all the remaining animals to reputable sanctuaries. Shortly after, we were once again asked to accept Mundi. Mundi will be Elephant Refuge North America's third elephant and first African.