Kruger National Park Elephants (Loxondonta africana)
How many elephants are there?
The Kruger National Park (Kruger) is currently (2006) home to approximately 13 000 elephants (of a total of about 16 000 elephants in South Africa).
Are there too many elephants?
In the 1990s the carrying capacity of the Kruger was estimated to be 7 500 elephants. The current (2006) number of 13 000 elephants exceed the carrying capacity by 5 500.
Why is the elephants population expanding?
As a result of the moratorium on culling and the success of the Kruger's efforts at combating poaching.
Why is there a limit on the carrying capacity?
Elephants cause a lot of damage. Trees are pushed over to die after their leaves are eaten, changing the biodiversity of the area and impacting on other animals - bushpigs, for example, need dense thickets to survive and dissapear when elephants open up the bush.
What are the options available?
Doing nothing |
This will result in decreased biodiversity in the park. |
Contraception |
This is difficult, and there's no clear indication of what impact this will have on the social structure and behaviour of elephants. |
Translocation |
Very expensive |
Expansion of the range |
|
Fewer waterholes |
This would lead to the death of some elephants and a reduction in their numbers. |
Culling |
Public are anti-culling. |