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: [email protected]
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