Paradise lost but hope abounds
As was the case with the 11 bulls that migrated from Mozambique, through Swaziland and into Kruger last year, they enter South Africa via the international northern boundary of KZN, following a historical migration route.
According to Ezemvelo, this route historically included Tembe Elephant Park, which did not generate any risk or concern as it is appropriately fenced to allow for elephants, unlike Ndumo.
“As a departure from the norm, the elephants have recently started to enter South Africa via the northern boundary of Ndumo Game Reserve, which is not a suitable elephant habitat reserve,” said Ezemvelo.
“Ndumo’s perimeter fencing was not designed to keep elephants within it. The consequence of this is that the elephants easily traverse through Ndumo and down the south or east of the reserve, into community land, causing damage to property and crops.
“They also pose a great risk should they come into contact with humans as such contact may have a high probability of severe injury or even death.”
Ezemvelo said, while it monitors elephant movement to try and prevent them from entering community land, there is always the risk that they do.
The five that did so were destroyed in terms of a standing permit issued in accordance with the provision of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004.
“Our monitoring work has observed exponential growth of this movement into Ndumo Game Reserve in the past seven days, which triggered a need for a concerted effort with partners to resolve the matter speedily,” said Ezemvelo acting CEO Sihle Mkhize on Monday.
Given that this migration through Ndumo is a new phenomenon, steps are being taken to manage the situation.
These include undertaking rapid assessment to establish the actual numbers of the elephant population inside Ndumo Game Reserve, and to confirm the factors influencing this diversion from the original migration route.
“We can confirm there are still elephants inside Ndumo, and Ezemvelo will do all it can to ensure the safety of the community and elephants alike,” continued Mkhize.
“Given the current fluidity of the situation, there is always the risk they may rapidly move out of the reserve and become a risk to property, crops and human life.”
WHAT was once a veritable Garden of Eden for birds, with over 400 resident species, Ndumo Game Reserve today is a shadow of its former self.
While still an operational Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife protected area with adequate accommodation facilities, its recent history, with land claims and human encroachment on the eastern side, has sadly led to the removal of the last few rhino, and disappointing wildlife sightings.
In 2014, the Zululand Observer reported on human encroachment in Ndumo Game Reserve, from its eastern boundary to the Pongola River.
The destruction reportedly came about after a land claim by the Mgangweni community.
At the time, distraught conservationists and nature lovers reported the felling and burning of trees in this reserve once renowned for its abundant birdlife.
The late Tim Condon, then Zululand Wildlife Forum co-ordinator, reported that the reserve’s rhino population had dwindled to just six animals, and rangers could no longer safely patrol along the river bank.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo reported at the time that the eastern boundary fence was not re-erected because any fence erected was stolen by the community.
The land dispute on the western side has since been settled, and a co-management agreement was reached between Ezemvelo and the community.
The land claim on the eastern side, however, remains unsettled. This week, Mntambo confirmed that the community did encroach Ndumo and started planting their gardens.
“The problem persists, and people who planted their gardens remain there,” he said.
Referring to the five elephants recently shot by Ezemvelo officials, they 'destroyed people’s crops and it was feared they would soon come into contact with community members, and that would have resulted in the injury or death of innocent community members'.
He confirmed that rhinos were removed from Ndumo some years ago.
In spite of this, reports from recent visitors to the game reserve are favourable; the campsite is well run and bird sightings are still good, although wildlife sightings were limited to giraffe and, without big game to graze, the bush was overgrown and extremely dense.