Early Morning Encounter

Near the Millwood Forest Station the fierce trumpeting of elephants fills the air soon followed by the barking and growling of dogs attacking a mother and her calf. The small herd retreat for cover quickly and silence reigns once again…but not for long…

There have always been elephants in the Knysna area but over the decades their plight has either been ignored or sidelined. In 1870 there were between 400 and 500 elephants in the forest but these numbers have dwindled, mostly due to hunting, to 5 (it was previously accepted that only one elephant had survived).

And now these magnificent creatures’ lives are being used as bargaining chips once more. In a trade-off between animal rightists and the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the moratorium on the culling of elephants has been lifted and the purchase of elephants out of the wild is now strictly prohibited. This, however, is not enough for Animal Rights groups as they feel that no elephants should be at home other than in the wild – rescued or otherwise.

…Then the sound of gunfire rings out and a majestic bull is brought down eight shots later – a wiry little man jumps on the body and stands there victoriously while the grand bull lifts his head defiantly to look at his enemy and then rolls over on his side to die…

The Knysna Elephant Park’s charter reads: ‘Our commitment to the environment is born of the struggle by the elephants in the Knysna forest,’ and as you speak to the handlers and interact with the elephants, one’s mind runs wild with thoughts of the elusive elephants that have captured the imaginations of so many and have inspired authors such as Dalene Mathee to write novels like Circles in a Forest.

While there are those who believe that elephants like Harry, Sally, Shaka, Namib, Keisha and Thandi should not have been rescued out of the wild (they are all either orphans or have been rescued from culls) – I do believe that we would be the poorer for not having known them. We reach the lapa for our early morning experience and even though we are now quite used to being in the presence of these breathtaking creatures I still get a lump in my throat when I see them – not because I am in any way sad but because elephants really do touch your soul. We were introduced to the ellies we would be riding and as Shaka rose from the ground with me on his back I began to appreciate the true size of these animals. The sensation one experiences as you rub the elephant’s back is one of wonder and appreciation as the bristly hair and coarse skin passes under palm.

As the Kruger National Park readies itself for the first major elephant cull in 14 years I wonder to myself how you feel after having pulled the trigger. Would Harry, if given the choice, choose to be exterminated or would he choose his current home? I’m sure that Harry still feels like an elephant, especially since his ego gets stroked so much by people who can’t help but gasp when they see his imposing figure in front of them. Something of the relationship between these creatures and their handlers begins to speak to me - you can’t force an elephant to do anything. A happy well-adjusted elephant will accept the hierarchy he finds himself in and function as though this is the only family unit he has ever known. Stenford (Shaka’s handler) gently gives him instructions and Shaka knowing his voice stretches his trunk back for his reward as we walk along.

…Another bull appears out of the gloaming and Major P.J. Pretorius fells him with only six shots this time…

With nothing but the sound of elephants walking along quietly, and the occasional rumble of contentment, you feel as though you are one with nature and all other stresses seem to melt away as you turn your full attention to engaging with these giants who have granted you the privilege to ride them. Shaka, Stenford tells me, was born in 2001 and was rescued from a cull on a private game farm in the Mpumalanga area. He came to live at the Knysna Elephant Park on the 18th of January, 2004 and soon found that his new home was a place of safety and that he could trust those committed to his care. The relaxed nature of all the elephants in our party speaks volumes for the trust and mutual respect that exists between animal and handler.

During Major Pretorius’ hunt a cow was also shot. Her calf had gotten into trouble down a steep krans and Pretorius and one of the beaters involved in the hunt had tried to help. Suddenly the angry mother descended upon them and they opened fire and headed her off. She was found dead the following day, as were her calf and another elephant. A hunt that was only meant to claim the life of one elephant ended the lives of five. Elephants will gladly pay the ultimate price for their families.

What will be the outcome for the families of elephants singled out for culling? Will the person pulling the trigger be experienced enough to be humane? Will the whole group be killed with minimal stress on the animals?

All too soon our encounter comes to an end and as Shaka allows me to disembark I can truly say that I have been touched by an elephant.

Acknowledgements:

Mackay, M. 1996. The Knysna Elephants and their Forest Home. Wildlife and Environment Society: Southern Cape Branch, Knysna