Culling 'only an option'

2008-02-27 21:14

Cape Town - The elephant management norms and standards published this week are not a decision to cull, and should not be interpreted as such, conservation organisation the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said on Wednesday.

It said it welcomed the rules, which would provide a uniform framework for the management of elephants in South Africa.

Decisions for population management should be based on thorough consideration of all options.

However, culling should remain an option if there was evidence that a non-lethal approach would not be as effective in managing elephant populations.

"WWF does not advocate culling as the preferred population management alternative, but recognises that government managers may deem it necessary after consideration of all other options has been exhausted.

"Each of these options has inherent advantages and disadvantages and there is no 'one-step' solution to the matter of local over-population."

Culling 'a management option'

The options included, in order of preference, allowing elephants more space; conserving migration corridors; translocation and contraception.

WWF said that whereas in Central and West Africa elephants remained threatened, in Southern Africa many years of wise investment in conservation had lead to an increase in numbers.

However, in some cases elephant populations were becoming so abundant that they were causing problems such as the destruction of habitat from over-grazing and damage to water sources.

Announcing the norms on Monday, Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said the moratorium on elephant culling instituted in 1995 would be lifted from May 1 this year under certain conditions.

"Our department has recognised the need to maintain culling as a management option, but has taken steps to ensure that this will be the option of last resort that is acceptable only under strict conditions," he said.

The minister's announcement was .criticised by the Earth Organisation on Wednesday.

"The Minister's approval to kill perhaps thousands of elephants in South African game reserves is incorrect and will be firmly rejected by the public locally and internationally," said Earth Organisation founder Lawrence Anthony.

Elephants 'conquered, overwhelmed'

He said the minister's decision was portrayed as the result of a lengthy consultative process not designed to find solutions to but rather "to find the best way to sell the kill to the public".

"The great elephant herds that not so long ago roamed freely in South Africa have been conquered and overwhelmed and are no more - and all remaining elephant are locked up in game reserves which account for little more than two percent of their former ranges. And now they will start killing them there as well," Anthony said.

South Africa's elephant population is currently about 18 000, with 14 000 of the elephants living in the Kruger National Park.

- SAPA