Press Release - 9 Elephants Culled in Northern KZN
04th September 2024
Following the brutal destruction of 9 elephants in Northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), on the farm Vreesniet owned by a Mr. Sithole, the Human Elephant Foundation wishes to place on record that it appears that there was no formal, legal approval given for the decision to destroy these elephants, which is regulated, governed, and required by South African law.
In a meeting held at the Stedham community hall in the Edubekeni district KZN, on 24th August 2024, where the Human Elephant Foundation and other NGOs were invited to contribute towards an amicable solution to elephants entering community land, National Government represented by Thomas Mbedzi, shared that National Government was the only authoritative body able to provide strict guidelines and approval for elephant herd destruction. Furthermore, their decision (if it was to cull the herd) would take approximately one month to approve.
Further Mr Mbedzi commented that National Government would study reports provided by Ezemvelo, the community, NGOs, as well as consider the dialogue provided at the Stedham community meeting, before deciding on appropriate action. NGO’s, including Human Elephant Foundation, and farm owners in the area, have been working tirelessly since a community member was injured by an elephant in the area. Our priority as Human Elephant Foundation has been to ensure no further harm to community members, as well as support the safety of the res nullius family of elephants.
The Mawana Elephants, as they are known, moved off the farm where they were resident, due to fences being broken and damaged, and not repaired on the farm. NGOs immediately stepped in to collar the elephants for safety and security purposes and build additional fences to help ensure the protection of both community members and the elephants.
Every citizen in South Africa has the right to protect themselves against a wild animal threatening their life. Mr Mbedzi shared with the community this fact, and further emphasised that nobody has the right to take the life of any animal if their life is not in direct danger. Mr Mbedzi concluded his address by saying that if a wild animal was killed due to a person’s life being in danger, then reporting protocols must be followed to explain and justify the occurrence.
The Human Elephant Foundation, like many other Conservation NGOs in South Africa, receive funding from international doners for the safe keeping and protection of wildlife and natural areas. Human Elephant Foundation’s mandate is to help facilitate dialogue and understanding between communities and endangered wildlife areas, to help promote prosperity within these communities, as well as encourage protection and longevity of natural wilderness.
Funding that the Human Elephant Foundation receives from local and international donors has been used to purchase and lease land for the purposes of expanding the space required for approval of an Elephant Management Plan (EMP) and Threatened or Protected Species permit (TOPS). Further, funds have been used to build fences, collar elephants, and set up high sites to monitor the movement of elephant and other endangered species. The Human Elephant Foundation, with permission from local community authorities, has employed many local people to help clear areas for fences – and then assist in building such fences.
As an NGO caring about both the people and animals within their defined living areas, we were devastated to hear that a cull / kill order had either been approved unilaterally in KZN, or independently by local authorities, to kill 9 members of the Mawana elephant herd. At the time of this Press Release being written, it has not been confirmed which organisation or person/s had given the destruction order.
NGO’s have recognised the vulnerability of the remaining family members of the once 45 elephants, as well as the possibility of the same organisation or local authorities to enact a further destruction order against the remaining elephants, and as such have applied for an urgent court interdict, to help ensure the herd’s safety.
Using questionable examples where an elephant has caused harm to people as the principal motivation for the removal of the entire herd of elephants, is contrary to the guiding principles of the Norms and Standards as outlined in South African law for the protection of endangered species and (NEMBA).
The Human Elephant Foundation, and other aligned NGO's, condemn the massacre of 9 members of the Mawana herd in the strongest terms and will do all within its constitutional mandate to protect the remaining elephants and seek redress for the brutal, illegality thus far enacted.
The Human Elephant Foundation Board david@drg.co.za
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