By REGINALD KANYANE
6 December 2024- The MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said they note concerns raised by The True Green Alliance Wildlife NGO on the starvation and death of elephants in Madikwe Game Reserve.
Lenkopane said the conservation unit in the department has indicated that the elephant population at Madikwe Game Reserve has been growing at a fast pace over the 30 years. She further said the elephant population expanded to more than 1600 in 2024.
“We have instructed conservation specialists in the department to consider all scientific methods of controlling elephant population growth at Madikwe Game Reserve in order to prevent the ongoing negative impact on biodiversity in the park.
“The team should explore options, which include but are not limited to non-lethal methods of population control such as translocations of elephants to other parks in the country.
“The translocations might include any of the SADC countries that have diplomatic relations and bilateral agreements with the government of South Africa on environment and conservation,” added Lenkopane.