South Africa has released its National Elephant Heritage Strategy covering 2026 to 2036. The plan frames elephants as part of national heritage while raising questions over management approaches.
The strategy was published last month and aligns with existing biodiversity policies. It seeks to manage all elephants as a collective national herd, incorporating conservation, cultural values and economic opportunities.
By the end of 2024 South Africa had approximately 44,000 African savanna elephants. The document promotes living landscapes that connect protected areas, farms and community land.
Concerns have been raised about proposals to cull elephants in KwaZulu-Natal and Madikwe reserves. Professor Rob Slotow noted that flexibility in the norms and standards could weaken wellbeing protections.
A court case continues over the legal definition of animal wellbeing in biodiversity law. The EMS Foundation has expressed worry that the strategy views elephants mainly as economic assets.