sniktawk

On Thursday night my wife and I attended a presentation by John Hanks (Chief Professional Officer for the Natal Parks Board; Professor and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, then the first Director of the Institute of Natural Resources at the University of Natal; the Director of the Africa Program for WWF International (based in Gland, Switzerland); the Chief Executive of WWF-South Africa; the first Executive Director of the newly established Peace Parks Foundation.)

John Hanks lives in our village. The subject was the proposals for Elephant Management in South Africa, a subject on which there has been much debate on this forum.

It is evident that the massive publicity against South Africa was based on entirely false interpretations of the plans of the South African government.

The news arose from the publication in February 2008 of the "Norms and Standards for Elephant Management", a summary of which can be found here

http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2008/08022516451001.htm

The full document can be found here

http://www.environment.gov.za/HotIss...(26-02-07).doc

There is nothing in either of these documents that indicates that South Africa intends to start culling! In fact just reading the summary should enable you to understand the serious scientific approach that is being taken and that culling will only be considered as a last resort after all other avenues have been explored.

This document shows that South Africa is considering all options only one of which is culling, I am afraid that once again everyone has gotten hot under the collar following irresponsible press sensationalising.

Others agree?

Another not widely publicised report from WWF and EMOA
http://www.panda.org.za/print.php?id=506
And from the NSPCA
http://www.nspca.co.za/other.aspx?Id...nd%20Standards
and IFAW
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/def...spx?oid=208777
“Animal Welfare Groups welcome Elephant Management Plans”

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/sc...nagement_plans


Finally another not widely reported comment from Richard Leakey

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7301195.stm

divine54

a friend of mine was spending almost 2 weeks in krueger in july.
she is not a newbe to kruger as she spends at least twice a year a couple of weeks there. and she is a sa certified field guide.
she noticed during the whole kruger stay big truck traffic during each and every night!
she furthermore observed heli cruising in the northern more less visited areas of the park!

the conclusion is yours.

div

sniktawk

I know that I have been asked not to be rude to this poster but it is very difficult.

I try to introduce sensible debate in this serious matter by directing people to sources of facts and the first response is as expected.

Can anyone believe that there are "dark forces" at work gunning down elephants from the sky and carting them away in lorries. All this is apparently being undertaken without anyone noticing other than a "friend".

Would anyone like to make a serious comment on this matter?

divine54

humans tend to believe or trust that source which serves the personal opinion best! being it financial investments and listeing to fund managers or being it wildlife and listening to conservationists!

maybe we can agree that there are many conservationists serving either side.

so no need for you to call my post inadaquate or dubious.

regarding "gunning down from the sky" - that would not have been the first time! especially in kruger they are very much experienced in this.
maybe you do some research and find out for yourself!

div

sniktawk

Divs Nemesis,

Thanks for that.

If somebody clearly believes that the head of WWF for Africa is a liar then there is nothing that can be done about it.
It would of course be far more sensible to ignore the plans distributed by the South African government which say that there is no culling planned and trust the tabloid press. Even better ignore Richard Leakey!

luangwablondes

Quote "Can anyone believe that there are "dark forces" at work gunning down elephants from the sky and carting them away in lorries."

Yes. Me!!!!

PredatorBiologist

Snik: that must have been a very interesting presentation, I enjoy the one page commentary that John Hanks writes in Talking of Nature in each issue of Africa Geographic -- he clearly is very informed and involved in a lot of Southern Africa issues.

I totally agree that the media has misreported in typical sensationalizing style. Even the Leakey article by BBC states 'South Africa plans to allow culling after a 14 year absence' which is the type of phrasing that has people running around saying culling is starting again. The reality is laid out in the plan that you linked, what has occurred is the badly needed development of an elephant management plan. The plan lays out a number of management tools, which includes culling as a last resort. Articles are written as if culling is approved and about to happen but the plan has goals to try other tools first and then before culling can take place there is a separate approval process that must happen that includes the collection and anaylysis of scientific data to base the decision.

It's smart for managers to fill their tool box with as many options as they can. I think it is clear that all involved would like to avoid culling but as Leakey said it can be considered repugnant but still might be a necessary option is some cases. Anyone who wants to have a passionate opinion on elephant management needs to read that document, it is a great resource.

sniktawk

Luangwa Blondes
Who do think these dark forces are?
It would be most interesting for you to tell us who is doing this in Kruger without anyone knowing.I can then pass it on to John Hanks.

Bill,

ItThanks for reading the information,your conclusion is the same as mine. Culling is the last resort after every other avenue has been explored.

luangwablondes

There is a simple answer to that question. The Dark Lords decided not to inform you of everything obviously.

OF course I would believe they are gunning(darting) the ellies and carting them away. How else would SA donate 160 ellies to Lusenga Plains NP in Zambia. The timing is about right and SA is donating 160 ellies to the park to repopulate a park suffering from extensive poaching.

Doesn't mean that this is what the trucks in the park were about, but a possibility.

sniktawk

Luangwa Blondes

Very cryptic, but hardly conclusive as to culling being carried out now or in the future.

The matter that you refer to might best be described as translocation one of the methods of reducing Elephant populations that comes way above culling. Given that this was only announced on 24th July then I think that it is a little unkilely that it has started yet, but you never know.

Yet again another fine example of what SANPARKS is doing to restore animal populations to areas that have not been well looked after.

luangwablondes

Nothing cryptic about it. You asked a question and I answered it. It is entirely within the boundaries of what elephant management is or could be in SA.