The Mawana Elephants: Caught in a Conflict

LionExpose
Mar 4
2 min read

Updated: Jul 28

The Mawana elephants have been used in a war between people...

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LionExpose’s Ongoing Reporting

LionExpose has been reporting on the Mawana Elephants since 2021 when we first visited the area.

LionExpose is a stakeholder in the ongoing saga to get the elephants safely confined before more of them get shot entering community lands.

To this day the many millions raised have not reached the elephants and the communities forced to live amongst them…

Elephants Enter Community Lands

The herd of roaming Mawana elephants wandered into a community during the night, damaging fences and trampling through vegetable crops. The elephants were very stealthy and moved between the houses.

This occurred in one of the community villages that are tolerant of the herd's presence. The area is part of the established route the elephants have been on for many years. Complaints about crops and fences usually arise from December through April. Witnesses say the damage was inspected by Mawana and they managed to drive the herd away back towards the mountains.

Soy Plantation Adds Pressure to the Herd

Increasing pressure on the Elephants has been exacerbated by a newly established soy plantation. The plantation has been set out near a road on a lush previously abandoned farm. It is close to the other community shown in the video.

The abandoned farm has been a particularly important water source that the elephants use in dry months. The recent questions put to Ezemvelo by the DA in a committee meeting in Parliament focused on the shocking killings but negated to have the exhaustive backstory.

Corruption and Accountability in Conservation

The backstory illustrates how deep the lack of accountability really is, a dangerous example of exploitation, incompetence, and, how corruption is being left to flourish on the dark side of Conservation.

With NO correct strategies, it seems we can come across wild animals, in this case - an entire herd of endangered species that no one made any effort to protect - and use them to raise millions upon millions.

Lawful Processes Ignored

Intriguingly this lack of lawful processes allows the authorities to push the ball. It is without question that any reserves or community conservation projects applying for permits to keep African Elephants must indeed go through the public participation process and a thorough EIA study with proof of funds to maintain the area. Ezemvelo is awaiting the permit approval to cull the whole herd.