KwaZulu-Natal’s 2 862 elephants are straining ecosystems in 22 reserves, with Ezemvelo-managed areas holding 2 089 of them.

• KwaZulu-Natal’s 2 862 elephants are straining ecosystems in 22 reserves, with Ezemvelo-managed areas holding 2 089 of them.
• Ezemvelo is seeking urgent, ethical solutions for translocation, but culling remains a last resort if populations cannot be safely reduced.
• More than 1 000 elephants have been earmarked for immediate removal, with the largest group, 650, planned at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park due to severe vegetation damage.

KwaZulu-Natal’s conservation officials are grappling with a growing crisis as elephant populations in local reserves exceed sustainable levels, threatening biodiversity, ecosystems, and the animals themselves.

Despite efforts like contraception programmes and expanding protected areas, the surge in numbers has led to habitat destruction and increased human-wildlife conflict, demanding urgent intervention.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo on Tuesday said the situation was dire.

“We are compelled to act to prevent a situation like that currently facing Madikwe Game Reserve, where elephant overpopulation led to significant vegetation loss and the tragic deaths of more than 70 elephants from starvation.”

As of 31 March, KwaZulu-Natal is home to an estimated 2 862 elephants across 22 properties, with 2 089 of them in Ezemvelo-managed reserves such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Tembe Elephant Park, Ithala Game Reserve, and sections of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The overpopulation has already caused severe vegetation destruction, particularly in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where 650 elephants are slated for removal due to extensive damage.

Mntambo added:

The crisis has also seen elephants wandering into nearby communities, heightening risks of human-wildlife conflict.

Ezemvelo’s executive manager for biodiversity conservation, Vuyiswa Radebe, emphasised the logistical and financial hurdles of relocation, warning that culling may be the only viable option if no alternatives emerge.

“Without urgent intervention, ecological damage could worsen, particularly in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where many large trees have already been destroyed, affecting bird nesting sites and other wildlife,” Radebe said.

Mntambo echoed this, adding: “Translocation will only occur if suitable reserves can be found, and culling is considered a last resort should non-lethal solutions prove impractical.”

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The organisation has called on NGOs, conservation groups, and private reserves to propose ethical solutions to expand elephant ranges.

Of the 1 050 elephants identified for removal, 920 are earmarked for live relocation or sale to other reserves, while 125 are listed for culling where relocation is not feasible. The largest removals are planned at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, followed by Ithala Game Reserve (170), Tembe Elephant Park (120), uMkhuze Game Reserve (50), and the Western Shores section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park (60).