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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 51(1)

Immunocontraception of the female African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) in South Africa: from pipe dream to policy

A. K. Delsink https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5899-3370 A * , J. J. van Altena A B , M. L. Schulman https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0285-8679 C and H. J. Bertschinger C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Humane Society International-Africa, Block B, North Park, Black River Park, 2 Fir Street, Observatory 7700, South Africa.

B Global Supplies cc, Georgian Place, Block K, 18 Southway, Kelvin 2090, South Africa.

C Veterinary Population Management Laboratory, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, South Africa.

* Correspondence to: adelsink@hsi.org

Handling Editor: Cheryl Asa

Wildlife Research 51, WR22165 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR22165
Submitted: 1 October 2022  Accepted: 1 June 2023  Published: 21 July 2023

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Globally, African savanna elephants have been assessed as ‘endangered’. Consequently, additional threats and losses due to human–elephant conflict (HEC) could further exacerbate the species’ decline. In stark contrast, South Africa’s elephant populations are mostly confined within fenced-in reserves that impede natural processes such as migration. As ecosystem engineers, elephant population growth herein should be limited. Within South Africa, elephant management has evolved as differing wildlife philosophies from utilitarian conservation (‘nature for man’) to biocentric preservation (‘nature for nature’) and a combination thereof, have been practiced. Traditionally, both HEC and population control have been largely synonymous with lethal control, i.e. culling. However, with the increase of public or expert input to Policy, lethal control is not favoured by the public. As an alternative, immunocontraception of female African savanna elephants through non-invasive, native porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccinations has been employed successfully and is currently adopted in 43 elephant reserves across South Africa. Current legislation now recommends culling as the last population management resort. Newly promulgated legislation calls for wellbeing and welfare to be carefully measured in all biodiversity management decisions taken to minimise threats to biodiversity. As a keystone species, elephant is a direct driver of biodiversity change. Accordingly, and in light of these developments, all population management options, including immunocontraception, must be fully considered in South Africa’s largest national park, the Kruger.

Keywords: African elephant, coexistence, decision-making, human-elephant conflict, immunocontraception, lethal control, management, policy, population control, wellbeing.

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