Africa Wild

The only real problem is that ellies are highly social, cows at any rate, so not very mentally healthy for her?

1. Maybe she is not alone

2. By now she must have become accustomed to it

3. Isn't she supposed to be rather old

Maybe there are others?

Nobody knows.

The decline of the Knysna elephants: Pattern and hypotheses


Moolman L, Ferreira SM, Gaylard A, Zimmerman D, Kerley GIH. The decline of the Knysna elephants: Pattern and hypotheses. S Afr J Sci. 2019;115(3/4), Art. #4805, 7 pages. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/4805

Abstract:
Understanding and identifying drivers of local population declines are important in mitigating future risks
and optimising conservation efforts. The Knysna elephants have, after being afforded protection since the
early 1900s, declined to near extinction today. We propose three hypotheses as to why the Knysna elephant
population declined. The refugee hypothesis suggests that anthropogenic activities forced the elephants
to take refuge in the forest and that the low-quality food acted as the primary driver of decline. The illegal
killing hypothesis suggests that the elephants adapted to the forest and its immediate fynbos habitat, with
the decline being a consequence of illegal kills. The stochastic founder population hypothesis postulates
that the population size and structure left it vulnerable to demographic stochasticity. We critically reviewed
available evidence for these hypotheses and found that, although the historical elephant range decline
most likely resulted through the refugee hypothesis, the weak demographic and life-history information
limits elimination of either of the other hypotheses. We touch on the implications for decision-makers and
draw attention to information requirements.

I have not finished it yet, but I have always had the conviction that the decline of wildlife in general and elephants and particular must be blamed on two things, apart from poaching of course:

1. Lack of territory

2. Animal/man contrast

In the end, the two comes down the same and IMO it's a contrast that cannot be resolved because there is not enough room for both and man will always win this "war". it will take too long to change a certain mentality and if/when finally it happens the animals will be gone..forever.

As always we wait too long before doing something about the problems. The first rocks must start falling from the escarpment before we start to make it safe. Same thing with the climate. Too many economic interests and postponing because "it might not be as bad as someone says" and then it is too late. No way that things are done in time, NEVER!

A different question. The Kruger national park was first founded in order to keep a sanctuary for wild animals that otherwise would disappear. Great! and luckily it was done. But then little by little, it was not enough anymore to keep the animals safe. Why not let people come and enjoy the animals that in a hundred years might not be found anywhere else. Great! Why not use this fact to make money at least to cover the expenses of the park. No harm was done. "Hey! you know, we can make a lot of money if we start to use the park as an attraction for EVERYBODY "
And this is where we are now: Luxury Lodges, game drives, tree houses, hotels, restaurants, bush dinners, concerts in the bush and whatever comes to your mind gets included. Oops! I forgot the interests of the communities: Lets kill some of all these animals walking around in the park doing nothing and make some nice meals.

We started with the animals, but they are not the primary subjects anymore

Klippies and Lis!

7 February 2019 4:58 PMby Qama Qukula

The large mammal apparently walks up and down the forest, interacting with loggers that look like elephants, SANParks revealed.
Just one elephant remains living in the Knysna forest, according to the South African National Parks (SANParks).

The announcement was made at a press conference at the organisation’s Knysna headquarters on Wednesday.

SANParks conducted a comprehensive study undertaken by a team of scientists over 15 months, using a network of 80 remotely activated cameras to track activity in the forest.

SANParks wildlife ecologist Lizette Moolman-van der Vyver says the lone female elephant has displayed concerning behaviour.

The large mammal apparently walks up and down the forest, interacting with loggers that look like elephants.

"We purchased 80 cameras and we scanned the entire elephant range between 2016 and 2017.
All the cameras were active for 15 months at about 40 stations.
We saw this female elephant walking from the eastern part of the range to the western part, up and down.
Her behaviour also strengthened the finding that there is one elephant."
(Lizette Moolman-van der Vyver, Wildlife ecologist - SANParks)

While the female elephant appears healthy, scientists say the elephant exhibits some signs that she's emotionally compromised.

Listen to the discussion on The Pippa Hudson Show:

http://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/3370 ... sna-forest

She must be so lonely!