The Elephant Bull The relevant Act and Regulations Game Management Plan for the Greater Mabalingwe Stock photo from Google MABALINGWE COMMON PROPERTY ASSOCIATION (MCPA) UPDATE ON ELEPHANTS 24 JULY 2015 The MCPA s position on game (and elephant) management MABALINGWE NATURE RESERVE R516 Rooiberg / Thabazimbi Road Bela Bela 0480 T: 014 736 6935 (Matie) E: matie@wbpm.co.za www.mabalingwe.co.za
NEWS UPDATE FROM THE MCPA REGARDING THE RECENT ELEPHANT INCIDENTS In the past few days many stories relating to the shooting of a young elephant cow at Mabalingwe spread like wildfire after articles on the incident was published over the weekend of 17 July 2015 in the digital media under misleading headings such as Female elephant mistakenly shot by hunters and Female elephant killed at Mabalingwe in botched hunt for bull elephant. In some instances both the article and the resultant e-mails and messages contained the incorrect information. The Mabalingwe Common Property Association (MCPA), which represents the majority of the property owners in Mabalingwe, conducted investigations into the actual occurrences leading up to the incident as well as the relevant act and regulations and wish to report as follows: THE ELEPHANT BULL As from early 2014 the elephant bull showed heightened levels of aggression contrary to his typical behaviour in the previous 12 years since his relocation to Mabalingwe from the Kruger National Park. In March 2014 a pregnant rhino cow was killed by an elephant, presumably the elephant bull. The incident was confirmed by an official from LEDET (Limpopo Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment & Tourism) as the Official visited Mabalingwe on the same day to observe and document the killing of the pregnant rhino. The rains came fairly late in spring of 2014 leading to an extended winter. In the latter few months of the winter of the same year the elephants caused havoc in the Boekenhoutplaat / Elandsfontein area of Mabalingwe in uprooting many of the remaining trees and causing damage at a number of lodges in an attempt to get food and water. In a number of instances, 10 000 liter water tanks were smashed to pieces and water lines and pump installations damaged in the process. This was a change to what happened in previous years. The MCPA expressed their concern during November 2014 to the game owners and insisted that an elephant management plan be prepared that would specifically address the balance between the Mabalingwe ecosystem and the ever increasing number of elephant within the boundaries of Mabalingwe.
At the end of April 2015 the bull overturned and pushed the COIN security vehicle. Fortunately, the driver survived the attack unharmed. The broken-off tip of the bull s tusk, which was found next to the vehicle, confirmed the bull s involvement. The game owners consulted with a number of specialists, including those involved at the Kruger National Park. The consensus was that the aggressive behaviour may be caused by a continuous musth condition and it was recommended that the bull be treated with a prescribed hormone to take it out of musth and contain its levels of aggression. Unfortunately the treatment had little effect as the bull continued to charge at vehicles. Based on the incidents and the threat posed by the aggressive nature of the bull, LEDET was contacted to obtain a permit to remove the bull. The bull was declared a DCA (Damage Causing Animal) and a permit was issued to perform the hunt. The morning of the hunters arrival, the elephant herd was found on the northern side of the mountains on Serapa. The hunters, under the leadership of a professional hunger, stalked the bull on foot, and while they were approaching the herd, a young cow suddenly appeared from the bush and charged the hunting party. The hunters realized that this was a life threatening situation and responded to protect themselves. They were compelled to shoot the charging cow. As legally required, the incident was reported to LEDET. The bull was darted on 20 July by a veterinary surgeon and it was confirmed that no reason, including tooth problems, etcetera, could be found that may have been the reason for the bull s aggressive behaviour.
Although it was determined that the bull was not in musth on the day at the veterinary surgeon, in a further attempt to sedate the bull s aggressive behaviour, a second dose of the GnRHhormone treatment was administered. At this stage, the possibility still remains that the bull will be put down should the aggressive behaviour remain a problem. Should the bull be culled, two new elephant bulls will be introduced from the Kruger National Park, which will also lead to improved blood lines within the herd. THE RELEVANT ACT AND REGULATIONS A representative from the MCPA made contact with the LEDET who confirmed that the hunting permit was correctly issued in accordance with the relevant Act and Regulations, being: The national norms and standards for the management of elephants in South Africa as published under Government Notice 251 in Government Gazette 30833. Commencement date: 1 May 2008. The threatened or protected species regulations of 2007 as published under Government Notice R152 in Government Gazette 29657. Neither the Act nor the Regulations requires the LEDET to take charge of putting the animal down as was published in the recent article relating to the incident. Based on the information at hand it appears that the prescribed requirements in obtaining the permit and conducting the cull was in line with the relevant Act and Regulations. GAME MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GREATER MABALINWE The MCPA is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of a future management plan for all the game in the Greater Mabalingwe. The objective being to enter into a formal agreement regarding the game and veld management, so as to ensure the harmonious coexistence between the home- and timeshare owners as well as the game owners with measurable terms and conditions on the game management. A specie-specific management plan for the elephants will be prepared and form part of the overall game management plan.
THE MCPA s POSITION ON GAME (AND ELEPHANT) MANAGEMENT The MCPA supports a responsible, informed and sustainable game and veld management plan that can be measured and managed. When the elephant bull showed increased levels of aggressive and potentially life threatening behaviour, the owners of the elephant were requested to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of owners, visitors and staff of Mabalingwe. The MCPA accepts that it may eventually be required to cull the bull should the other options not bear fruit in order to avert the risk of the bull possibly killing or maiming someone. The MCPA accepts the responsibility to protect both the natural environment as well as the safety of its owners and visitors and will, in line with this, engage with the game owners to maintain a responsible and sustainable game management plan. The balance, relating to the elephants, the MCPA will strive to achieve, in co-operation with the game owners, is in line with the purpose of the applicable Act, being: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) To ensure the long term survival of elephants within the (Mabalingwe) ecosystem; To promote broader biodiversity and socio-economic goals that are ecologically, socially and economically sustainable; Not to disrupt the ecological integrity of the ecosystem (of Mabalingwe); To achieve the specific management objectives (of Mabalingwe); To ensure the sustainable use of hair, skin, meat and ivory products; Act in an ethically and humane way; and Whilst recognizing the elephants sentient nature, highly organized social structure and ability to communicate. (Note: Insertions of the word Mabalingwe in brackets above were made by the writer in addition to the wording quoted from paragraph 2(2)(a) of the Act). I wish to reassure the owners of Mabalingwe that the MCPA will strive to continue managing Mabalingwe as a prime wildlife reserve which every owner can be proud of. Jan Zeederberg Chairperson of the MCPA