In a historic conservation move on Tuesday, 10 elephants were relocated from Addo’s main game area to a remote northwest corner of the park.
The pioneer jumbos are part of a group of 27 that will be moved this week to the Noorsveld area around the Darlington Dam, where the species last roamed 150 years ago before they were shot out.The event coincided with World Ranger Day and environmental affairs deputy minister Barbara Thomson flew in to address SANParks staff.
Thomson said the death of ranger Respect Mathebula, who was killed by poachers in the Kruger National Park two weeks ago, highlighted the risks rangers faced.
“South Africa is battling the threat against its wildlife on so many fronts, and elephant and rhino are not the only things at risk,” she said.
“If it was not for these excellent men and women, many more species would face extinction.”
This threatened wildlife was a key asset, Thomson said.
“Our country’s natural heritage, derived from our enormous biodiversity, is a key income generator for tourism and thus an important contributor to our economy.”
Network for Animals spokesperson Luke Barritt said his organisation’s involvement had started 20 years ago with a R2m donation for Addo to acquire more land.
“Part of the deal then was the park’s commitment never to cull elephants,” he said.
“So when we heard they were having problems with their growing population, we helped with a donation of R500,000 towards the relocation of some animals here.”
It was not just about the elephants that were moved.
“They will repopulate this area where they historically lived so it’s about expanding habitat and securing the species as a whole.”
Heavyweight businessman Saki Macozoma, who made a surprise appearance, said he had long been a fan of the Addo Elephant National Park.
“When I was MD of Transnet, I was able to donate rail sleepers to help them build their special Armstrong fencing for the elephants and I have kept in touch,” he said.
In his latest gesture of support, Macozoma said he had donated R100,000 towards the relocation of the elephants.
“So I’m here to see how the project is going.”
The event was held at Darlington to coincide with the elephants’ release, but Addo’s marine section also showcased their skills with a simulated perlemoen bust on the dam.
With the crowd, including rangers from the country’s national parks, on the bank, pilot and Karoo National Park senior section ranger Riaan Nel spotted the “poachers” and alerted Addo’s marine rangers, who dispatched a vessel.A chase ensued until the “poachers” were forced to beach their craft. One “suspect” was grabbed and two others made off through the shallows.
The rangers slam-dunked and handcuffed one while the other exited the water and stumbled into the bush with a bag of “perlemoen”.
He had nowhere to hide as Nel continued to swoop low over him, marking his position for the team on the ground.
A drone was deployed and it tracked the “suspect” as he tried to escape. It turned out to not be his day when SANParks tracking dogs Bullet and Banshee were unleashed with their handlers.
The fearsome Bullet pulled down his man amid cheers from the crowd.
Earlier, Beyers Naude Municipality mayor Deon de Vos said the historic release of elephants into the Darlington section of the park promised substantial economic benefits for the area, which included the town of Jansenville.
SANParks managing executive Property Mokoena said elephants were under threat across Africa, and the relocation was part of a broad effort to expand the species’ range.He said the death of ranger Mathebula highlighted a grim change that South African rangers were having to face.
“Dangers used to be the mamba, the elephant and the lion. Now it is a two-legged individual with a rifle.”
Mokoena saluted SANParks’ 900 field rangers and 1,600 volunteer honorary rangers and said it was grateful for the R150m honorary rangers had brought in to benefit the country’s national parks.