Kruger must cull elephants
2003-08-07 08:53
Nelspruit - Unless the number of elephants is not drastically reduced, very little will be left of the Kruger National Park in five years time.
Therefore culling seems almost inevitable in order to stop extensive habitat destruction, David Mabunda and Josias Chabani, the park's most senior officials said on Tuesday.
Mabunda, the director of the park, said: "The growing elephant population concerns me more than anything else. We have tried contraception and relocation, but these are only temporary solutions."
At present there are an estimated 11 000 elephants in the park, while the capacity allows only 7 000. The elephant population grows by between 7% and 10% a year.
"Even if people don't see a single elephant while visiting the park, they cannot fail to see the destruction they cause. This is a perfect example of what happens when one ignores scientific research," Chabani said.
As a result of pressure by animal rights groups, no elephants have been culled in the park since 1994.
However, the park's management plan makes provision for the culling of elephants in certain areas, while unbridled increase is allowed elsewhere.
Mabunda said all interest groups supported the plan, which should have given the green light for culling. But as a result of politicking (by rights activists) it has so far not been implemented.
Relocation
The relocation of elephants to Mozambique's Limpopo reserve is at present one of the most important ways of reducing numbers in Kruger. But the reserve can accommodate only a limited number of elephants.
Also, relocation is expensive and only small groups of elephants can be moved at a time.
Mabunda said he respected the debate around the removal of the Kruger head from the park, but the elephant issue deserved greater public awareness because of the immediate threat it holds for the park.
"Most people should be aware of the problem, but they choose to ignore it. If they understood the magnitude of the challenge, they would have been more sympathetic towards culling," Mabunda said.