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South Africa expected to propose elephant cull

Public consultation could suggest killing to control population.

As part of a package of measures to control its spiralling elephant population, South Africa is expected to propose an elephant cull in a document to be released on 28 February.

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Posted by Nicola Jones on February 27, 2007
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If it is true that elephants have 'graveyards' - places where they go to die and living elephants visit, then this should be taken into consideration. Perhaps the bodies could be left there, or nearby. If the plan is to capture and relocate the elephants, I would hope they could move families or independent young elephants who have not formed families - except that the loss of elders might be a problem. Elephants are intelligent, highly social animals (not eusocial) and artificial manipulation must be managed so as to minimize its impact.

Posted by: Richard KeslerWest | February 28, 2007 08:45 PM

this sounds crazy. culling elephants in kruger when their numbers are dwindling in the rest of africa. surely the sensible thing to do would be relocate them??

Posted by: elephant man | March 2, 2007 05:51 PM

As an animal lover and biologist it is always tough for me to see the impact that humans have had on wildlife. It is my job to make sure that governments do the right things and I have dedicated my life to it. Truthfully culling humans, while not a practical option, would help to solve the problem of the overpopulation of many of the animals we have here in Africa. We haven’t had a serious disease, food shortage or war to help control our population in a long time. Unfortunately the Elephants here in South Africa now are rapidly developing the first two of these problems. The closest two pods have started losing weight from lack of food and one is seriously ill. Starvation and malnutrition drives diseases. We have to control the population now. I have been asking for support to be able to finance birth control for the whole area, but as it is we now have no choice but to reduce the population. I cannot stand to watch these animals starve to death and die very sick painful deaths. We must cull some of them now before the entire worlds population of elephants is threatened by disease from further starvation. I am also searching for support to raise money for tranquilizers to reduce the stress on the animals to be removed.

Posted by: Dr.B | February 28, 2008 01:17 AM

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