Environmentalists are concerned that increased helicopter flights to Victoria Falls will have a negative impact on elephants in Zimbabwe. South Africa hopes that there will be a tourism boom next year when they host the World Cup and more flights to the falls are expected. – BBC NEWS

Lawrence Anthony, head of conservation at Thula Thula reserve in South Africa, discusses how he dealt with an extremely difficult group elephants when he first came to the reserve 10 years ago. He won them over with trust and love. – The Sydney Morning Herald

Lawrence Anthony’s website is available here.

Video of Lawrence Anthony’s Rehabilitation of Elephants.

A video of elephants from the Elephant Plains Lodge in South Africa. The baby elephant is SO cute acting like he is so tough.

An elephant, in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, mourns his deceased friend – he tries to keep vultures and hyenas away and even tries to lift the carcass.

News24

“South Africa may start its first elephant culls since 1994 next year to protect other species harmed by their destruction of habitats. ” – Bloomberg.com

“The first officially sanctioned sale of ivory in southern Africa for almost a decade opened on Tuesday.” – BBC NEWS

“The sale of 51 tons of stockpiled ivory will benefit elephant research, conservation and community development, according to the South African National Parks (SANParks).” – BuaNews

“Coming out of the 14th Conference of the Parties (CoP14) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) last year in The Hague, two things were certain: firstly, that Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe would be allowed to sell registered stocks of ivory in the near future and, secondly, that a nine-year moratorium on any further ivory sales would come into effect following the sales.” – Daily Dispatch Online

“Animal support groups fear for elephants in India and Africa following the British government’s official backing to China to buy ivory. The government voted in China’s favour at the UN, despite protests from its own MPs. The vote, at a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), gives China the right to buy ivory auctioned by four southern African countries, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.” – Thaindian News

“When German doctor Annelie Forbriger read about South Africa’s decision to lift a 13-year moratorium on elephant culling, she decided to canvass the support of more than 1 000 of her fellow citizens to oppose it.” – IOL

“Makalali Game Reserve introduced a birth control vaccine (porcine zona rellucida) to their elephant herds in May 2000 and the results have been gratifying.” – Star

“Elephant culling at the Kruger National Park is unnecessary and not a last option, the Earth organisation said on Wednesday.” – IOL

“South Africa has lifted a 13-year ban on elephant culling, to help manage the flourishing pachyderm population.” – South Africa resumes elephant culls
>The Great Beyond

“South Africa is about to lift a 13-year ban on elephant culling, as the animal’s population rises and encroaches on areas where people live. However, it’s unclear just how many elephants might be killed after the moratorium is lifted Thursday.” – VOA News

“The government had stopped this practice in 1995 when the population of elephants was judged to be dangerously low. However now that they’re seeking to reinstate it, something has come up: expert scientists believe that elephants have cognitive capacity.” – Environmental Graffiti

“South Africa’s 13-year moratorium on elephant culling was set to be lifted on Thursday to combat a surge in population numbers, despite an outcry from animal rights activists.” – AFP