Ranger kills elephant in musth
SCHALK MOUTON | 13 Dezember, 2013
Kruger National Park will investigate the shooting of a bull elephant that charged a traffic officer in the park on Monday.
The shooting sparked outrage on social networks because it was thought that the elephant had been killed by poachers.
SANParks spokesman Ike Phaahla said the elephant was shot when it had charged a member of the park's protection services division 3km from the Phalaborwa gate.
"The protection services guys don't have firearms as they mostly man the speed traps in the park," said Phaahla.
The ranger who was with the traffic officer killed the elephant only after firing several shots in an attempt to frighten it away, said Phaahla.
"In the bush we are in their territory but unfortunately in situations like this the life of a human is more valuable than the life of an animal," said Phaahla.
A photograph of the dead elephant was circulated over social networks, prompting claims of " murder" and calls to "shoot the bastards".
SANParks released a statement on Facebook explaining what had happened.
"They had no choice, otherwise they were going to die," said park spokesman William Mabasa.
Phaahla said the elephant was probably in musth, a period when testosterone levels and sex drive hit a high and the animals can become extremely aggressive.
Phaahla said at the last count, in 2010, there were about 8500 elephant in the Kruger National Park.