Kruger elephants staring at death
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Elephants living in South Africa's Kruger National Park may face annual slaughter again. The National Parks Board this week insisted on keeping an option to cull the animals after suspending shootings last year.
The elephants had been shot each year since the 1960s to hold down their rapid population growth. Meanwhile, animal lovers overseas argued there was no justification and the slaughter severely traumatised the huge mammals. Now the board is reviewing its policies, trying to decide whether a population higher than the park's 8,000 animals is sustainable and whether taking elephants to other reserves, using different land management methods, or even contraception for female elephants can help.
The review continues, but at a meeting with representatives of local communities, the board's head of research, Dr Anthony Martin-Hall, said culling must remain an option.
Photograph: Brian Harris
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments