Elephant Management and Poaching in South Africa

[RogerFraser]

http://lowvelder.co.za/298644/elephant- ... in-kruger/

SKUKUZ A – Twelve elephants have been poached in September and this month so far in the Kruger National Park.

The total since the beginning of 2015 is 19.

Also read: Celebrating World Elephant Day

“We are saddened by the latest developments in the northern part of Kruger where the majority of the elephants were poached so far. We lost two elephants at the beginning of this year. We had no incidents for four months until July when three elephants were poached. This was followed by another two in August, seven in September and then five this month so far, which brings the total number of elephants poached this year to 19,” Mr William Mabasa, General Manager of Communications and Marketing in the park.

South African National Parks (SANParks) expressed its shock at the first confirmed elephant poaching incident in the KNP in well over 10 years in May 2014 at Pafuri section of the Park. The KNP lost 2 elephants the whole of last year.

Also read: Update: Elephant a target where rhino are scarce

“Given the situation in the rest of the continent pertaining to widespread poaching of elephants, we cannot allow this destabilization of our keystone species to continue further. We are confident that the dedication and efforts which our rangers and partners in the security sector have displayed towards the fight against rhino will prevail over this latest problem”, concluded Mabasa.

[nan]

no end.... never ending

[nan]

the same like Amoli

never ending

[Richprins]

Why is anyone shocked?

[Richprins]

One must remember, there are similarities but also differences between poaching rhino and elephant, as the status quo is now.

IMO, the northern wannabe Moz rhino poachers don't find any rhino, especially as cellphone reception is limited, and have tested the waters re ellie poaching, found little response as most antipoaching is further south, and have sorted their MO out now, and will go big.

Also, added to the mix, is the fact that Far Northern Moz wild-west types, Renamo, have wiped out the ellies there, with which they fund themselves, and are coming south to keep their "blood ivory" going.

This is largely separate from rhino poaching, a bigger threat, and will expand fast in the months to come.

But don't worry, our local "entrepeneurs" and insiders and higher-ups will join that feeding frenzy too.

All just my opinion.

[Flutterby]

I agree, this is just going to get worse and very fast!!

[Richprins]

Also, Zimbabwe not involved, IMO...they are slaughtering their own ellies, and have networks in place, if one looks at the various reports. But presumably those ellies will also eventually be finished? Should take a year at least?

[Toko]

http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=56511

Media Release: 19 Elephants killed by poachers in the KNP

Date: 2015-10-23


Kruger National Park (KNP) has lately become a target for elephant poaching, with 19 elephants killed since January, and 12 of those in September and October 2015.

“We are saddened by the latest developments in the northern part of the Park where the majority of the elephants were poached so far. We lost two elephants at the beginning of this year then it went silent for four months until July when three elephants were poached. This was followed by another two in August, seven in September and then five this month; which brings the total number of elephants poached this year to 19”, said General Manager: Communications & Marketing, William Mabasa.

South African National Parks (SANParks) expressed its shock at the first confirmed elephant poaching incident in the KNP in well over 10 years in May 2014 at Pafuri section of the Park. The KNP lost 2 elephants the whole of last year.

“Given the situation in the rest of the continent pertaining to widespread poaching of elephants, we cannot allow this destabilization of our keystone species to continue further. We are confident that the dedication and efforts which our rangers and partners in the security sector have displayed towards the fight against rhino will prevail over this latest problem”, concluded Mabasa.

Issued by:
Communications & Marketing Department, Kruger National Park

Media enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
E-mail: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

William Mabasa
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

[Richprins]

Thakhule said in yesterday's paper some of these ellie poaching incidents are from SA...western boundary locals.

[RogerFraser]

See there other animals involved in this too from Facebook post :
VulPro
4 hrs ·
49 Vultures poisoned on an elephant carcass in Kruger National Park in the northern parts of the Park during the last few weeks. We will not win until we have the poaching and poisoning under control