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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| S Africa to allow elephant cull | S Africa to allow elephant cull |
| (about 3 hours 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 18,000 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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 | 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. | 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". | 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. | But Mr van Schalkwyk said the interests of "balanced biodiversity or people living in proximity to elephants" must also be taken into account. |
| 'Murder' | 'Murder' |
| People living close to elephants have complained that elephants are dangerous, eat crops and compete with people for water. | 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. | 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. | "How much like us do elephants have to be before killing them becomes murder?" it asked in a statement anticipating the announcement. |