Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife proposes culling 1,220 elephants in KwaZulu-Natal

On 25 June, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife briefed South Africa's Parliament Environment Portfolio Committee on elephant management in KwaZulu‑Natal. Scientific manager Ian Rushworth said 1,220 elephants needed to be removed and, where relocation was not possible, would have to be culled. He argued that culling would reduce risks to people, lower future removal costs, provide forage and shade buffers during droughts, and could support a potential industry in meat, hides and ivory carving.

Rushworth framed the issue as “lethal control”, stating that the provincial authority had already approved the cull. He claimed non‑lethal options such as contraception were limited, costly or too slow, and suggested that a humane, ethical approach should be adopted. Critics highlighted that the CITES ivory ban and China's 2017 ivory market closure make an ivory industry implausible and noted that the Department of Environment and Forestry refuted claims of approval delays. Under the Elephant Norms and Standards, culling can proceed only after all other management options have been exhausted, a point contested by wildlife and conservation groups.