South Africa to resume elephant culling after 13 years

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — South Africa is to resume elephant culling for the first time in 13 years, lifting a moratorium on the practice to bring ballooning populations under control, the government said on Monday.

After months of emotive public debate over government plans to reduce elephant numbers, Environment Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk announced culling would be an option from May 1, but only as a last resort.

"Our department has recognised the need to maintain culling as a management option, but has taken steps to ensure that this will be the option of last resort that is acceptable only under strict conditions," the minister said in a statement.

Since domestic and international pressure led the government to introduce a moratorium on culling in 1995,...