Why Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Destroys Animals Rather Than Relocating Them

The relentless search for lions recently sighted in the Northern regions of KwaZulu-Natal continues, with these formidable predators still roaming freely. While Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has deployed teams to track these animals down, the question that lingers on the minds of many is: Why is the organisation, responsible for the conservation of wildlife and the preservation of biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal Province, seemingly determined to eradicate these wild animals?

As reported by Newcastillian News, Ezemvelo Wildlife has organised two specialised teams to be dispatched to the Gluckstadt area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the AbaQulusi (Vryheid) Municipality, to hunt for the lions.

This action was taken in response to verified reports of livestock being killed by what are believed to be these big cats.

At the time, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Communications Manager Musa Mntambo explained that while it was unclear from where these lions may have escaped, it would apparently only be confirmed once the lions are destroyed.

To read more, click here.

As Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife persists in tracking these lions, Newcastillian News approached the organisation to delve into the rationale behind opting to destroy these majestic creatures rather than sedate and transport them to a sanctuary.

Mntambo elucidated, “History, as well as advice from conservation experts, have shown us that once the animals escape from a game reserve and taste the easy meat outside, they are bound to escape again. They have learned that hunting outside is easier than inside. They might also be more dangerous to human beings during a second escape.”

Moreover, he stressed that experts have advised Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife that once lions have tasted cow meat, they will escape again. While highlighting that legislation allowed Ezemvelo to destroy wildlife in extreme exceptions, Mntambo clarified further by stating, “Locating lions is a very expensive process and takes time whilst it also causes expenses for Ezemvelo, as we have to compensate the livestock owners who lose their livestock to lions. We destroy them to stop them from escaping again.”

As a target has been placed on the lions, this is not the first instance where Ezemvelo has taken such action against members of South Africa’s Big Five.

In September 2024, nine elephants were destroyed on a farm near Vryheid, in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, after they allegedly posed a serious threat to nearby communities. These large mammals reportedly escaped from the Mawana Game Reserve through a broken fence.

At the time, Mntambo explained that the elephants had been a persistent problem, with their presence causing fear and disruption. He further emphasised that the elephants had been harassing the Mawana community for a considerable time, not shying away from confrontation, and causing damage in the areas they passed through.

Additionally, he highlighted a deadly encounter in April 2024, when the elephants allegedly killed a shepherd in April 2024 while he was looking after his cattle. The elephants were eventually destroyed after walking into a farm in Vryheid. Additionally, Mntambo stressed that as the elephants endangered the lives of those on the farm, Ezemvelo had no option but to destroy them.

To read more, click here.

Reflecting on the incident involving the nine elephants that were destroyed, Mntambo emphasised that it was not an easy decision at all, highlighting that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife had attempted to take steps to avoid destroying the magnificent animals.

“We issued more than two media statements in 2024 appealing to people or organisations willing to take those elephants. Nobody offered,” he said, adding that if anyone knew of any sanctuaries in South Africa or anywhere else in Africa, the organization would gladly translocate the remaining elephants to the said sanctuary.

When it comes to protected species such as lions and elephants, and when it comes to destroying them, Mntambo said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is guided by a number of legislation, including Chapter 9 of Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS) Regulations.

It should be highlighted that Chapter 9 of the Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS) Regulations under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) deals with the Registration of Persons or Facilities Involved with Threatened or Protected Species.

Here’s a professional summary of what it states:

• Registration Requirement: This chapter mandates that any person or entity involved in activities with threatened or protected species must be registered. This includes:
  • Captive Breeding Operations: Facilities involved in breeding listed species in captivity for conservation, commercial, or educational purposes.
  • Commercial Exhibition Facilities: Establishments that exhibit listed species to the public for profit.
  • Game Farms: Farms where listed species are kept for hunting or tourism.
  • Nurseries: Facilities propagating listed plant species.
  • Scientific Institutions: Entities conducting research on listed species.
  • Rehabilitation Facilities: Centers focused on the rehabilitation of listed species for release back into the wild.
  • Sanctuaries: Protected areas where listed species are sheltered, often for life.
  • Wildlife Traders: Individuals or businesses involved in trading listed species or their products.
• Application for Registration: This outlines the process for applying for registration, which includes submitting detailed information about the operation, the species involved, and compliance measures to ensure the conservation and welfare of the species.
• Conditions for Registration: The registration may come with conditions aimed at ensuring:
  • The conservation status of the species is not adversely affected.
  • Compliance with both national and international biodiversity laws, including CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
  • Adequate facilities, expertise, and management practices are in place to handle the species responsibly.
• Monitoring and Compliance: There are provisions for the monitoring of registered facilities to ensure they adhere to the regulations and conditions of registration. Non-compliance can lead to sanctions, including the revocation of registration.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Registered entities are required to keep detailed records of their activities involving listed species and may need to submit periodic reports to the regulatory authority.

For the text of the legislation, please refer to: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 on the South African Government’s official website.

When addressing the biggest misconceptions that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife faces from community members regarding the destruction of protected species, Mntambo said it all depended on how far the respective communities were from the action.

“We receive the full support from the community in the vicinity of where the damage-causing animals are. We, however, receive objections from people in air-conditioned buildings who will not be willing to stay in an area infested with damage-causing animals.”

However, what steps can Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife take to mitigate further protected species from being destroyed due to them roaming into areas where humans live?

Mntambo highlighted, “The challenge the organisation has, is that poachers cut the fence and leave it open, which results in animals escaping and also compromises the fence. This leads to bigger animals easily pushing the fence aside and escape. Last year, we received around R40 million which was used to erect and strengthen the fence of particularly HiP. We continue to strengthen the fence, and also have employed Fence Liners. These are the people who walk along the fence to check if the fence is still intact. In the event that animals escape, we have the necessary skills and equipment to ensure that those animals are pushed back to where they came from if it is safe to do so.”

Taking this into consideration, the ongoing conflict between human settlements and wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal underscores the complex challenges faced by conservation efforts.

According to the entity, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s approach, guided by both local realities and stringent legal frameworks, aims to balance human safety with the preservation of biodiversity.

The destruction of animals like lions and elephants, while controversial, is seen as a last resort to mitigate threats and manage costs. However, the debate continues on whether more sustainable solutions could be employed to prevent such outcomes. The enhancement of infrastructure, community engagement, and the search for sanctuaries represent steps toward potentially more humane outcomes.

As we ponder these strategies, it’s clear that wildlife conservation requires not just resources and regulations but also a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms in their natural and human-altered environments.

Reflecting on the rationale behind destroying the animals, what are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.