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 ± 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 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 CoP12 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