Elephant management plan to be published in 2006

An elephant population management policy framework will be published in 2006 for public comment, the department of environmental affairs and tourism said. Members of the public were encouraged to participate in this process.

J P Louw, the department's head of communications, said in a statement that Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the minister of environmental affairs and tourism, welcomed the submissions of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community organisations regarding the development of a national elephant management plan.

The Elephants Alive Coalition said it would argue that a plan to cull elephants in the park was "deeply flawed, ecologically and ethically". Animal rights organisations were strongly opposed to culling, whilst conservation and community organisations felt it could be justified.

Louw was pleased, however, that submissions also focused on non-lethal solutions such as translocation, contraception and range expansion. A total of 14 562 elephants were killed during culls in South Africa between 1967 and 1994, according to David Mabunda, the SA National Parks CEO. In the same period, 2 175 elephants were translocated to other parks.

The Kruger National Park is presently thought to have a population of 12 467 elephants. Had the culling not taken place there would be 80 000, Mabunda said. - Sapa