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Mike,

Yes, I'd agree with you completely and in some African parks (that have far lower tourist pressure)I wouldn't have a problem with them being ethically hunted even within the park boundaries (if it were legal) - in fact, I prefer that option to translocating them to other areas within RSA and hunting them there. - BUT I personally believe that the RSA game parks are so incredibly full of tourists and the game becomes just so habituated to vehicles & people (IMO) it's simply wrong to hunt them. I personally believe thay should instead be culled by professional cullers. - there's simply no way these animals can be considered anything like truly wild.

Over the years I've done a great deal of walking in some of the private reserves adjoining the KNP and believe me when I say that most of the Elephants there (esp the Bulls) can almost be slapped on the ass with a cricket bat before they show any signs of alarm. - Although I wouldn't recommend it to others, I've often walked up to (less than 10 yards) Bulls that I know and just set my camera up and taken pictures - and been ignored. I've found the best method is just to keep talking quietly and move slowly. All the time they know where you are and don't see you as a threat they don't mind your presence. I have one friend who has got even closer - But as I said: I DON'T RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE ELSE! - or at least not unless they have a good deal of experience of Elephant behaviour and body language. - Having a large calibre rifle to hand also builds confidence!

Compare that for example to an Elephant Bull in Selous or Mozambique which are a real challenge to get close to.

Animal behaviour in the KNP and surrounding areas is vastly different to animal behaviour in any of the True Wilderness Areas I've been fortunate enough to visit.

All of the above relates to how I feel about Elephants ONLY - the other species in my eyes at least are less clear cut.

But all that is just one man's opinion and we must all decide for ourselves where we draw the line.

--------------------
Steve "Shakari" Robinson
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
info@kuduland.com
www.kuduland.com

Edited by shakari (03/07/05 03:07 AM)

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