| To cull or not to cull? I am of the opinion that in an | | | | There needs to be a paradigm shift in the thinking of |
| Island reserve such as Pilansberg or Madikwe, if you | | | | Conservationists who support culling and consider it |
| cannot translocate the excess Elephant there is no | | | | the only the alternative.Nature has looked after its |
| other alternative but to cull in order to maintain the | | | | self for millions of years, Conservation is a new |
| ecological integrity of the Reserve. | | | | science and has only been practised as "educated |
| However this is not the case with the Kruger National | | | | guesses" for about 80 years or so. |
| Park Elephant situation. | | | | We need to comprehend that culling is only one |
| I, after spending many years living in Timbavati side | | | | option of many and each situation is unique.To cull at |
| by side with Elephants and interacting with them on a | | | | this time while the park is expanding is premature.KNP |
| daily basis, have formed a different view. | | | | Management is still trying to push Elephants into new |
| National Parks and Reserves should be audited to | | | | areas - if they are doing this it only goes to proves |
| ascertain whether the Reserve in question could | | | | that there is still plenty of space. Elephants have an |
| sustain a Elephant population crash and if so, Elephant | | | | in-built genetic Intelligence that will ultimately come to |
| populations should be allowed to climb and crash as | | | | the fore if allowed. |
| the natural cycles dictate.The natural rhythms of | | | | If we cull we will miss the opportunity to witness and |
| Nature have evolved over millions of years and mans | | | | learn from that. |
| imperfect judgements have not a patch on that kind | | | | The Elephants and other wild life are stimulus- |
| of intelligence. | | | | response organisms and will responded to any |
| The Kruger National Park has recently become a | | | | stimulus in their environment. |
| Transfrontier Park.An additional Million hectares has | | | | Culling will lead to more prolific breeding.Over |
| now been fenced in with the KNP.The KNP is now | | | | population will lead to some Elephants moving into |
| three million Ha in extent.Larger than than Wales or | | | | new areas without having to be forced. |
| Israel! | | | | Allow them to do their thing and I sure we will learn |
| This reserve could possibly sustain Elephant | | | | a thing or two and be pleasantly surprised. |
| populations indefinitely as occurs with Wildebeest | | | | My vote goes to applying a flexible, accountable |
| populations in the Serengeti. | | | | approach to the situation.Viva the Elephants. |
