Elephant Science Round Table meet in Cape Town

An international group of 10 scientists (a.k.a. the Elephant Science Round Table) are meeting in Cape Town today [19-01-'06] to discuss the report by SANparks that highlights the problem of elephant herd overpopulation in the Kruger National Park. The concern is what damage can be caused to the biodiversity. At the moment, population control options include contraception, translocation, increasing the range (making the park area larger) and culling.

"Culling should not be considered as an option, as it's cruel and unethical." ~ Animal Welfare Groups like IFAW.

Update 23-01-'06 : The Round Table has advised Marthinus van Schalkwyk (Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) that there isn't enough evidence to warrant a large scale reduction of the elephant population in the Kruger National Park. Even though there is a lot of information, the Round Table scientists believe that more research needs to be done before a definite decision can be made.

“The Round Table essentially confirmed the diversity of views on this emotive issue, but also that role players are at the end committed to the same objective, which is to assert South Africa’s internationally recognised skill of conservation management,” said J P Louw, DEAT spokesperson.