Tourists Warned Not to Get Out Cars to See Elephants

(Nelspruit)
January 16, 2003

Lisa Johnston
St Lucia, South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal wildlife authorities have warned motorists not to leave their cars when viewing elephants, either inside or outside of national park fences.

The warning follows reports that motorists on the R618 were leaving their cars to get a better look at wild elephants in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park between St Lucia and Mtubatuba.

The people reportedly remained oblivious to the elephants' agitation and treated the animals as if "they were a tame circus act or animals in a zoo".

One of the elephants repeatedly mock charged but the viewers continued to ignore the animals' warnings.

"No ordinary fence is capable of stopping a charging elephant," said Ezemvelo KZN wildlife conservation manager Tony Conway.

Even if the fence is electrified Conway said, "it only serves to contain an elephant that may brush against it - a provoked, angry or charging elephant will go straight through it."

He added that the people were placing themselves at great risk by not moving away and instead further provoked the elephants.

"This behaviour is unfortunate bearing in mind a recent incident where a man was gored to death within the park after provoking an elephant herd," Conway said.

According to the park's chief executive officer, Andrew Zaloumis the park recently introduced a new herd of elephants that are settling in nicely.

"Our elephants are slowly settling in and are usually tolerant of humans, but people need to respect their immense strength and the fact that they will protect their young against any perceived threat," said Zaloumis.

Elephants react badly when people are near to them but are not overly concerned by cars because the smell of diesel fuel masks the human scent.