Kruger won't cull elephants

2004-05-27 22:34

Sharon Hammond

Pretoria - The 1995 moratorium on elephant culling in the Kruger National Park has not changed, despite the increase in elephant numbers, says chief executive of South African National Parks (SANParks), David Mabunda.

He said recent debates in the media between the park's former conservation head, Dr Willem Gertenbach, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) about possible culling were "misguided".

"We would like to point out that Dr Gertenbach was, in this matter, talking in his own personal capacity," said Mabunda.

"There has been no change in the policy decision...to put a moratorium on the culling of elephants in national parks."

He said a national forum of NGOs, community organisations, academics, private and public conservation authorities was expected to meet within three months to explore an appropriate, comprehensive elephant management strategy "rather than just culling."

Contraception to control numbers

The park's elephant population has surged to over 9 000 of the approximately 12 000 African elephants in protected areas in South Africa.

The ideal elephant population for the Park is about 7 000, to prevent damage to the park's biodiversity.

The park's existing management plan prefers the translocation of elephants and contraception to control numbers.

Dr Gertenbach is reported to have suggested that recent elephant attacks on people may be result of stress brought on by overpopulation in the park, and that a properly implemented culling policy was needed.

This raised the concern of IFAW, which is opposed to culling.

- African Eye