By Chris Ndaliso – The Witness
While non-lethal measures remain the priority, Ezemvelo said culling could become unavoidable if alternatives are not secured.
Hundreds of elephants may need to be relocated from KwaZulu-Natal’s flagship game reserves as conservation authorities scramble to prevent an ecological crisis.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has issued an urgent appeal to conservation partners and reserves to assist in relocating surplus elephants from several protected areas, including Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, Tembe Elephant Park, Ithala Game Reserve and uMkhuze Game Reserve.
Ezemvelo says elephant numbers in these reserves have exceeded ecological carrying capacity, despite years of population control measures such as contraception and attempts to expand available habitat.
Ezemvelo has described the situation as “ecologically unsustainable”, warning that rising elephant populations are placing severe pressure on vegetation, biodiversity and water resources.
The appeal comes amid growing public concern following reports that the agency could resort to culling.
Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo said while the board has agreed that elephant numbers must be reduced, no final decision has been taken on how this will be done.
He said translocation remains the preferred solution, but hinges on finding suitable reserves, locally or internationally, that can accommodate the animals.
“If viable relocation options are not secured, other interventions may need to be considered,” Mntambo said.
He pointed to developments at Madikwe Game Reserve, where overpopulation led to extensive environmental damage and the deaths of more than 70 elephants due to starvation.
Ezemvelo warned that similar conditions could emerge in KwaZulu-Natal if urgent action is not taken.
Beyond ecological damage, rising elephant numbers also increase the risk of human-wildlife conflict, particularly when animals breach reserve boundaries and come into contact with nearby communities.
Ezemvelo has called on conservation organisations and stakeholders to urgently propose “viable and ethical” solutions, including range expansion and relocation.
While non-lethal measures remain the priority, Ezemvelo said culling could become unavoidable if alternatives are not secured.
Ezemvelo’s head of biodiversity conservation operations, Vuyiswa Radebe, said their attempts to get other countries on board have had no positive results so far.
Radebe said they have approached all the countries within the SADEC region with no luck. “This is the first call we are making locally. We have approached the SADEC countries, but I think it was Angola that showed interest in taking some elephants. The distance, however, became a challenge in terms of transporting the animals. We are hoping for positive feedback this time around,” said Radebe.
