New regulations for elephants‘ care greeted with mixed feelings (South Africa)

Janine Oelofse, The Herald
February 28, 2008

THE new Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa has evoked mixed reactions from elephant owners in the Southern Cape, with some welcoming the document and others saying it needs more work.

The norms and standards are to be published in the Government Gazette on Friday and will be effective from May 1 this year.

According to Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, there was widespread public concern for the welfare of elephants in captivity.

The new regulations prohibit the capture of wild elephants except for rehabilitation purposes. Orphans on private and communal land will have to be rehabilitated into the wild and the capture of elephants for elephant back safaris will be prohibited.

There will be no more import and export of elephants, no intensive breeding in captivity and the minister plans to release minimum standards of care for the management of elephants in captivity.

Article at the following link:
http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n08_28022008.htm