THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE WORKSHOP

THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT – A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE WORKSHOP ON THE ELEPHANTS AND CITES: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES PERSPECTIVE BRUSSELS, 7 OCTOBER 2002

THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT IN SOUTH AFRICA • • 1902 – Establishment of the Kruger National Park (KNP) 1910 – ± 120 in isolated populations 1926 – Establishment of South African National Parks Board 1967 – Elephant management programme initiated 1967 – Accumulation of ivory 1980 – Translocation of elephants from KNP 1995 – Moratorium on culling

THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT IN SOUTH AFRICA - CURRENT POSITION • 2002 - ± 13 000 animals distributed throughout country in protected and fenced areas • Ownership – State – Private • Establishment of TFCAs • South African population viable and increasing • Elephant not endangered in South Africa

Impacts on biodiversity • Change in vegetation in KNP • Impact of overpopulation

SA, CITES and the AFRICAN ELEPHANT • 1989 - Transfer to Appendix I • 1989 – Reservation but moratorium on trade • 1994 – Proposal to transfer population to Appendix II • 2000 – Population transferred to Appendix II

Control measures • Legislation • 1993 – Establishment of the ESPU • 1993 – Establishment of the Environmental Crime Investigation Services in SANParks

Poaching in South Africa • Poaching in KNP

Poaching (cont’d) • SA as a conduit for illegal trade – History – Kumleben Commission of Inquiry • ETIS – Number of incidents reported

SA proposal to Co. P 12 • Trade in hunting for non-commercial purposes • Trade in live animals • Trade in hides and leather goods • Trade in ivory – Stock pile of 30 tonnes – Annual quota of 2 tonnes