To cull or not to cull? I am of the opinion that in an Island reserve such as Pilansberg or Madikwe, if you cannot translocate the excess Elephant there is no other alternative but to cull in order to maintain the ecological integrity of the Reserve.

However this is not the case with the Kruger National Park Elephant situation.
I, after spending many years living in Timbavati side by side with Elephants and interacting with them on a daily basis, have formed a different view.

National Parks and Reserves should be audited to ascertain whether the Reserve in question could sustain a Elephant population crash and if so, Elephant populations should be allowed to climb and crash as the natural cycles dictate.The natural rhythms of Nature have evolved over millions of years and mans imperfect judgements have not a patch on that kind of intelligence.

The Kruger National Park has recently become a Transfrontier Park.An additional Million hectares has now been fenced in with the KNP.The KNP is now three million Ha in extent.Larger than than Wales or Israel!

This reserve could possibly sustain Elephant populations indefinitely as occurs with Wildebeest populations in the Serengeti.
There needs to be a paradigm shift in the thinking of Conservationists who support culling and consider it the only the alternative.Nature has looked after its self for millions of years, Conservation is a new science and has only been practised as "educated guesses" for about 80 years or so.

We need to comprehend that culling is only one option of many and each situation is unique.To cull at this time while the park is expanding is premature.KNP Management is still trying to push Elephants into new areas - if they are doing this it only goes to proves that there is still plenty of space. Elephants have an in-built genetic Intelligence that will ultimately come to the fore if allowed.

If we cull we will miss the opportunity to witness and learn from that.

The Elephants and other wild life are stimulus- response organisms and will responded to any stimulus in their environment.
Culling will lead to more prolific breeding.Over population will lead to some Elephants moving into new areas without having to be forced.
Allow them to do their thing and I sure we will learn a thing or two and be pleasantly surprised.

My vote goes to applying a flexible, accountable approach to the situation.Viva the Elephants.

About the Author

Marco Schiess and his wife, Marie-Louise, founded the Umlani Bushcamp in 1989 in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, now part of the Kruger National Park. Marco is passionate about Africa and its wildlife, and committed to the preservation of our natural heritage. The entire Umlani bushcamp was built out of natural materials in a traditional African style.