Science Story

02 December 2008 22:40 BST

South Africa announces plans to allow elephant culls

South Africa is to allow elephant culling 14 years after the country introduced a ban on the population management practice.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African minister of environmental affairs and tourism, announced culling as part of a series of measures today on the treatment of elephants.

He said the number of elephants has risen so much in some African countries that "there is concern about impacts on the landscape, viability of other species and the livelihoods and safety of people living within elephant ranges".

The new rules announced today are said to balance the needs of nature, wildlife and humans.

Mr Van Schalkwyk said culling could only take place if parks could prove the actual or projected elephant numbers at a specific location are incompatible with land use objectives and that a reduction in population numbers is therefore necessary.

"Our department has recognised the need to maintain culling as a management option, but has taken steps to ensure that this will be the option of last resort that is acceptable only under strict conditions," he added.

Animal Rights Africa (ARA) has responded to the announcement with dismay, dismissing the argument that culling is necessary to reduce excessive numbers as an "untrue contention".

"While having publicly expressed concerns about elephant welfare on the one hand, even making references to the 'rights' of elephants, the minister will still be allowing the undeniably cruel and morally reprehensible act of culling to be retained as a management option," the group said in a statement.

"ARA will definitely seek legal advice on the South African support for the [South African Development Community] elephant management plan as we believe that it is both unconstitutional and an act of bad faith."