South Africa moves dozens of elephants in conservation milestone
A significant conservation effort has been under way at the Addo Elephant National Park near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, where 42 elephants were successfully translocated to the newly secured Kabouga section.
This move, which is part of the South African National Parks (SANParks) initiative, aims to expand the elephants' range and restore ecological balance in one of the country's most iconic conservation areas.
According to the park's Conservation Manager Anban Padayakee, the translocation, conducted between May 12 and 15, was meticulously planned and executed by a team of conservationists, wildlife veterinarians, and logistics specialists.
Padayakee said each step was done with attention to animal welfare and ecological integrity.
'The reality of our achievement has not yet set in… it's still such an unbelievable achievement. We were so careful that we had experts from all different fields to make sure the mission was successful.
'The experience was not limited to this operation; we can apply it in the future,' Padayakee said.
He said the team moved the animals that consisted of five family groups, with the oldest female elephant aged 52 and the youngest, a male, aged between three to four months old and named after the area they were translocated to.
'That gives you the idea of how complicated it was because we needed to keep the animals stress-free, and the veterinarians did exactly that,' Padayakee said.
Park Manager, Roland Januarie, emphasised the importance of this effort saying he had only joined the park a week ago and had found the process of translocating these animals in the middle as it had started last year.
'Addo has a proud record of elephant conservation and maintains a healthy and secure population of one of Africa's most iconic animal species,' Januarie said.
Elephants are widely recognised as ecosystem engineers, playing a crucial role in shaping their environments and supporting biodiversity.
By expanding their range and establishing new habitats, the translocation stands to contribute to long-term biodiversity health and the reactivation of natural ecosystem functions across the region.
The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, an initiative of Global Humane Society, provided critical support for the project.
Regional Director for Africa, Taryn Gillson, the organisation was proud to support this critical restoration project and help ensure these elephants have the space they need to thrive.
'This is an extraordinary milestone for conservation in Africa. This not only marks the expansion of the elephants' range but also the restoration of ecological processes in a landscape where elephants have been absent for generations,' Gillson said.
The translocation is part of a broader conservation vision to repair degraded ecosystems through species-led restoration.
By reintroducing elephants to the Kabouga section, SANParks aims to restore ecological balance and promote biodiversity.
The newly relocated elephants will be carefully monitored as they settle into their new environment, marking a hopeful step forward for conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape.
'As a leading conservation authority, SANParks is committed to inclusive conservation and advancing policies that support sustainable development and biodiversity conservation,' said Januarie
SANParks manages 21 national parks, including three world heritage sites and 10 marine protected areas covering over four million hectares on land and almost 370,000 hectares at sea.
First published by IOL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
12-06-2025
- Russia Today
Python rescued from electric fence in South Africa (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
With unwavering dedication to conservation, a python ensnared in electric clear-vu fencing at a secret conservation site was successfully freed and given CPR. In a remarkable display of teamwork and quick thinking, security officers, technicians, Durban snake rescuer Nick Evans, and veterinarian Dr Carla Goede came together last week to rescue the python that was entangled in the electric fence while trying to squeeze through. Evans said the electric fence triggered the alarm, and security responded. The first officer on the scene ran back into the bush to get some sticks and tried wedging the electric cables off the python until help arrived. 'Clever thinking,' Evans remarked. He said more security officers arrived, but not much could be done while the electric fence was on. This prompted a call for technicians, who rushed to help. 'Meanwhile, Carla and I had been called, and were on our way, desperately hoping not to arrive to a dead python. Electric fences frequently kill pythons,' Evans said. 'When we arrived, we had no rescue work to do. The technicians had arrived promptly, switched the fence off, and security managed to untangle the python.' Evans said it was astonishing how these snakes manage to squeeze through clear-vu fences. He also said it was remarkable how security managed to pull that off. 'At first, we were delighted with this good news. However, we then saw the state of the python; he was lifeless,' Evans said. 'Carla, being a vet, immediately started feeling for a heartbeat. It had one, but it was very faint. She started rubbing and massaging it, just about giving the poor python CPR. 'Once the heart rate improved slightly, we put it in a box and carried it to the car.' Evans said Goede cradled the python on her lap as she did with the last python they had entangled in a fence. She provided warmth for the snake. The car heater was also on for the drive home, but the python remained still. In the morning, they hoped for good news. 'First thing the next morning, we woke up and went to open the box, which we had stuck a heating pad against. To our relief and joy, the python was alive! Its tongue was flickering, and it was moving. What a massive relief!' Evans exclaimed. In the days that followed, they decided the python was fit for release and set it free. 'We cannot thank the security and technicians enough for what they did for this snake. If they hadn't acted so fast, this python would certainly have died. These guys care so much about the pythons in this area and have rescued a few,' Evans said. 'They're not full-time, professional snake-catchers. They've had some training, had quite a bit of experience now, but the rest is dedication and bravery.'First published by IOL
Russia Today
04-06-2025
- Russia Today
Zuma criticizes Trump over genocide claims
Former president Jacob Zuma has affirmed that there is no genocide in South Africa, describing US President Donald Trump as a loudmouth who doesn't know what he is talking about. 'There is no genocide in South Africa, nothing, absolutely nothing. I take it that when people talk about genocide, it is when many people die. There is nothing of that nature in South Africa,' said Zuma during a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday. '[Trump] just talks when he wants to talk, anything. I thought he would know better what genocide is. Now, for him to say so, it's just a joke really,' he added. Zuma told journalists in a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday that Trump was the least of his concerns when he was asked about his views on the US president. 'Why should I worry myself about Trump? We have serious problems here to fix this country. No, I'm not going to talk about that,' Zuma said. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently led a South African delegation to Washington in a bid to reset bilateral relations between the two nations. This comes after organisations claimed that there was a genocide against the white Afrikaners. The government clarified to the US that there was no evidence of genocide in the country. Meanwhile, the MK Party has removed Floyd Shivambu as the secretary-general, confirming that he will be deployed in published by IOL
Russia Today
31-05-2025
- Russia Today
South Africa appoints judges to probe Apartheid-era injustice
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Inquiry into prosecutorial and investigation delays into apartheid era crimes. Khampepe will be assisted by retired Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Adv Andrea Gabriel SC. The commission will cover the period from 2003 to the present. Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. In a statement by the presidency, the establishment of the commission of inquiry is part of an agreement reached in settlement discussions in a court application brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes. Ramaphosa said: 'For many years, there have been allegations of interference in these cases. This alleged interference is seen as the cause of an unacceptable delay in the investigation and prosecution of brutal crimes committed under apartheid. This has caused the families of victims great anguish and frustration. 'All affected families – and indeed all South Africans – deserve closure and justice. A commission of inquiry with broad and comprehensive terms of reference is an opportunity to establish the truth and provide guidance on any further action that needs to be taken.' Ramaphosa said the commission will inquire into, make findings, report on and make recommendations on: Were there any efforts to stop SAPS or the NPA from investigating TRC cases? Who made these efforts, and why? Did any SAPS or NPA members improperly cooperate with those trying to influence or pressure them? Should the state take action—like more investigations or prosecutions—against anyone who broke the law? Should any person receive constitutional damages, and if so, how much? Victims and their families with a vested interest in TRC cases, including those involved in the current legal proceedings, are among the key stakeholders. The Commission of Inquiry, established by agreement between the families and the government, has six months to complete its work and must submit its report within 60 days thereafter. While both sides agreed to the commission's formation, unresolved issues remain—the government sees them as commission matters, while families seek court adjudication. As the commission began its work, the government welcomed the NPA and SAPS's commitment to investigating and prosecuting unresolved TRC cases, with dedicated resources already in place for priority matters. Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of holding those who committed apartheid-era crimes without amnesty accountable and expressed hope that the inquiry would help uncover the truth and bring closure to a painful chapter in the nation's published by IOL
