Mahlometela When things go wrong!

ELEPHANT NUMBERS ARE GROWING

For various reasons, the African elephant remains the iconic species that symbolises the conservation success stories of the continent. Although the target of scrupulous poaching gangs and the greed of man for its ivory, the species has managed to expand its numbers, especially in southern Africa.

As the human race gobbles up the landscape through urbanisation and industrial and agricultural development, elephants are confined to pockets of protected areas. Initiatives are underway to connect these cross-boundary areas with corridors traversing international borders.

As much as these programmes are commendable, localised impact upon the biodiversity, especially the floral component of the conservation area, raises some concerns on the impact these elephant numbers are having on the long-term survival of the landscapes and the plethora of species that rely