Elephant contraception could prevent culls
Thursday, 28 Feb 2008 17:33
Elephants in South Africa could be sparred culling after successful trials of elephant contraception found it could be used to control the elephant population.
The South African government imposed a moratorium on elephant culling in 1995 amid widespread public concern with the practice, especially among tourists.
But with elephant numbers once again rising the environmental affairs and tourism minister admits culling is now an option as a last resort, despite "intense public emotions".
However, successful trials of contraception at the KwaZulu-Natal's Tembe Elephant Park on the Mozambique border suggest elephant numbers can be controlled in a more humane way.
Around 80 cows have now had a booster injected to extend the initial injection, which works by inhibiting the sperm from entering the egg.
Initial results suggest the contraception is proving effective.
Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal's resident ecologist Wayne Matthews said: "The dream is to have more space for elephants. We are all trying to work on that.
"Contraception is a 'holding pattern' before this. We very much hope we do not have to go the culling route before elephant habitat is expanded."