Since August, 80 elephants have starved to death at the Madikwe Game Reserve in the northwest.
Plans are underway to euthanize starving elephants at the Madikwe Game Reserve in the northwest, on the border with Botswana.
Peter Nel, an ecologist with the Northwest Parks and Tourism Bureau, said 80 elephants have starved to death since August, according to the agency's database.
Madikwe Futures Company, a non-profit organization contracted to support the parks and tourism board, said drought and uncontrolled growth in the elephant population were the main causes of deaths in Madikwe.
Long-term plans over the next four months include the possibility of culling some of the reserve's estimated 1,600 elephants.
Nel said protocols are in place to identify animals that are unwell and starving. “As field guides and rangers work, the animals are identified and we have a set of criteria that we use to determine whether the elephant needs to be culled.”
He said that at the direction of the Minister of Forests, Fisheries and Environment, a task team had been formed to address the situation in Madikwe and Pilanesberg National Parks in the short and long term.
“Managing the growth in elephant numbers is difficult because there are very limited options in terms of park expansion or relocation,” Nel said. “One of the issues we have to consider is culling.”
Nel said having too many elephants in a reserve has a negative impact on the entire ecosystem. “I think Madikwe has shown what happens when you cross that threshold.”
He noted that the elephants showed no signs of stress earlier this year. “Then in August and September, things escalated and there were deaths. You see there's a very delicate balance and the moment you cross that threshold, everything collapses. ”
Madikwe's administrator said the number of elephant deaths had increased sharply since August and that “with an estimated 1,600 elephants in the reserve, the situation is dire and urgent.”
The SPCA National Council's Wildlife Conservation Division visited the reserve and described the situation as a “wildlife tragedy”.
The NSPCA said its team observed signs of overgrazing and poor grassland management. “There is an abundance of nutritious vegetation outside Madikwe's fences, which is in stark contrast to what Madikwe provides for the animals within the reserve.”
“This is not 'nature' or 'nature's way.' It is a man-made disaster due to years of inaction against overpopulation, lack of vegetation, and increased brush encroachment,” said Douglas Wolfter, NSPCA Wildlife Conservation Division Manager and Chief Inspector. he said. .
The NSPCA team came across a baby elephant in such a weakened state that it was unable to move in front of humans. The calf was euthanized.
During another inspection on December 3, two more elephants were euthanized by NSPCA veterinarians. A flight over the reserve revealed more dead animals, including a giraffe lying in the water. Two white rhinos in poor condition were also spotted.
“It is a travesty that this sanctuary is unable to ensure the well-being and well-being of these animals,” Wolfter said, adding that sanctuary managers “watched the suffering unfold before their eyes and did nothing. ” he added.
Nel said the ecological impact of Madikwe's elephants was expected as there had never been any elephants in or around the area adjacent to the reserve.
“Clearly, we need to reduce numbers significantly in order for the system to properly recover and get back to a situation where the big trees and all of that can come back,” he said.
He noted that there was a conscious decision to use non-lethal methods to manage the elephant population, but “we must admit that the desired results were not achieved.”
“There were some real opportunities to expand the park, and some opportunities to relocate it, but unfortunately that didn't materialize and we've reached the situation we are in now. We now have to consider other options, including fatal options. there is.”
He said the necessary documents have been completed and are on their way to the minister. “Let's see how the process unfolds.”
The animal sanctuary was created 30 years ago as a partnership between government, the private sector, and the local community. The Department of Parks and Tourism manages the reserve and its conservation activities. The lodge owners and Madikwe Futures Company are not responsible for managing the elephant population.
For the local community, the reserve supports over 1,000 jobs.
The Madikwe Futures Company, which provides support for anti-poaching, road construction, bush clearing and community projects, says the reserve's vegetation, like that of other reserves in southern Africa, is supporting a growing elephant population. He said he was under pressure.
“Other elephant reserves, including those in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe, are in a similar situation, especially due to the current drought,” said Hector Magome, director of Madikwe Futures Company. said.
Madikwe has received some rain in recent weeks and the vegetation is starting to grow back, but “we are still waiting for the heavy rains to arrive,” Magome said. “Despite the harsh conditions, almost all wild animals, including elephants, are surviving…but the fundamental problem remains.”
Koos Potgieter, managing director of Madikwe Futures Company and owner of the lodge, said: It is a tipping point and requires urgent intervention. However, we are extremely concerned that the way this issue has been covered in the press is broadly condemnable and will undermine the good that Madikwe has done and continues to do. I am concerned about this. ”
Southern Africa faces the problem of having too many elephants, he said. “Not everyone is looking for an answer to this problem; [only] At the Madikwe level…this is an issue that needs to be addressed and talked about from Southern Africa to East Africa.
“Everyone is finding small ways to deal with this problem. [elephant] There is no clear answer to population growth other than it is extremely emotionally stressful. ”
