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S Africa announces elephant cull | S Africa announces elephant cull |
(30 minutes later) | |
The South African government has said it will allow elephants to be culled for the first time in 13 years. | The South African government has said it will allow elephants to be culled for the first time in 13 years. |
In a statement given to journalists on Monday, the government said a cull was needed to control elephant numbers. | In a statement given to journalists on Monday, the government said a cull was needed to control elephant numbers. |
The elephant population is thought to have grown from 8,000 to 20,000 since the government banned culls in 1995. | The elephant population is thought to have grown from 8,000 to 20,000 since the government banned culls in 1995. |
The statement acknowledged that the issue would rouse "strong emotions", and the news will anger many animal rights campaigners. | |
They have already threatened to call tourist boycotts and take legal action against the measure, which had been expected. | They have already threatened to call tourist boycotts and take legal action against the measure, which had been expected. |
The capture of wild elephants - to be used in elephant-back safaris, for example - is also a matter of controversy in South Africa. In the statement, the government said this would be banned, except for purposes of rehabilitation into the wild. | |
'Last resort' | |
In the statement, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk said culling would be an option of last resort that was acceptable only under strict conditions. | |
How much like us do elephants have to be before killing them becomes murder? Animal Rights Africa | |
He said other measures, including better management of elephant enclosures, translocation, and elephant contraception, could also be used. | |
And he said culling - an option which will become available from 1 May - was only being adopted after consultation "with all shades of opinion". | |
But Mr van Schalkwyk said the interests of "balanced biodiversity or people living in proximity to elephants" must also be taken into account. | |
'Murder' | |
People living close to elephants have complained that elephants are dangerous, eat crops and compete with people for water. | |
But the campaign group Animal Rights Africa says elephants have highly developed cognitive abilities, and a high degree of self-awareness. | |
"How much like us do elephants have to be before killing them becomes murder?" it asked in a statement anticipating the announcement. |