Boomer,

They're a very complicated species and not like any other. The two books I mentioned by Ron Thomson give an especially good insight into elephant management by culling. The other methods (from my experience) such as translocation etc simply don't work except perhaps in the short term........

John's post (as always) raises some good points. Personally, I don't see why there is such a problem about having a few tuskless Elephants around the place. I appreciate they're generally more aggressive but I believe the reason for that is partly that they're hunted harder than the other elephants and partly it's simply the result of sport hunting from herds of females. The survivors don't forget and become increasingly aggressive every time it happens. The expression of "dancing with the Zambezi Ladies" was coined for a very good reason.........

As I said, my personal opinion is that cows and calves should only ever be taken by a proper culling team when the entire family unit is taken out.That would also cure the tuskless problem as if it's a genetic trait (and I'm sure it is) and if it's considered undesireable, then taking out family units with that trait should solve the problem........ but hey, I'm no zoologist, just a hairy assed PH so my opinion isn't really worth any more than anyone elses.

As John also says, the prices are very attractive indeed and I have to say I understand why people book these hunts.... and I certainly wouldn't condemn them for doing so. My beliefs are my own and I see no reason why they should be enforced on others. Discussion is good and it's how we learn - but we must all be free to make our own decisions........