Elephant 'hunt' keeps em alive
14/03/2005 23:19 - (SA)

Cape Town - The official website of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve makes no mention of lethal commercial trophy hunting taking place within the reserve, but does advertise "Green hunting", which the reserve claims to have pioneered.

According to the website , this is "the ultimate union of hunting and conservation, where the thrill and challenge of the hunt prevails without the loss of life".

"Hunters are given the chance to pit their every skill and wit against the greatest of the Big Five, but, at the final moment, the hunter is able to grant - not take - the elephant's life," it states.

Essentially, it involves a hunter "shooting" an elephant with a tranquilliser dart, which renders it unconscious, and then posing next to the sleeping animal for a photograph. Bronze casts of the tusks are an optional extra.

More information is offered at a linked site where this hunting method is described in detail.

Tracking from downwind

"A team of expert trackers and a professional guide assist the hunter to find and stalk a large African bull elephant.

"Tracking carefully from downwind, the hunter finally comes within range, close enough for the dart to hit home - even closer than normal range.

"Silence... the crack of a dart gun, and the elephant reacts in surprise, crashing away through the bush. Adrenaline pumps as the drug takes effect - the hunters racing to keep the elephant in sight.

"As the big bull goes down, the hunter and the team of experts move in, together with a wildlife veterinarian to monitor the sleeping elephant, and a Kruger (National Park) research team place a radio collar around the bull's neck.

Back on its feet

"The hunter is photographed with his quarry and a cast of the tusks is taken to make an exact replica in fibreglass or bronze -- an eco-friendly trophy of a successful hunt.

"All retreat a little while the antidote is given, and within minutes the bull is on his feet... a living trophy and a monument to the conservation of great bull elephants."

According to the website, the price of such a hunt is available on request, and includes veterinary fees, a helicopter and "back-up".