News

South African National Parks (SANParks) celebrated 2024 World Elephant Day under the theme “Evidence-Based Conservation – The Success Story Behind South Africa’s Elephant Management Lessons”. This theme emphasizes the importance of an evidence-based approach as the foundation of successful elephant conservation in all national parks with elephants, including the approach taken in relation to the management of the Knysna elephant.

In a recent stakeholder survey respondents emphasised the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of elephants in the area. Stakeholders stressed the importance of adopting a cautious, evidence-based management approach, guided by specialists in the field.

Research by SANParks highlights the evasive nature of the Knysna elephant and its tendency to avoid human interaction, reinforcing the need for careful consideration of any future interventions. These findings support a low-risk, minimal-disturbance approach, aligning with the cautious stance recommended by stakeholders.

The outcome of the research informed the development of a new Garden Route Elephant Management Plan, submitted for approval. SANParks seeks to engage with authorities and primary stakeholders to better understand risk and opportunities and build a common understanding of the complexities of elephant management in an unfenced social-ecological system such as the Garden Route.

SANParks remains committed to the responsible management of the Knysna elephant and will continue to prioritize evidence-based approaches.