South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed the presence of a female elephant in the Knysna forest and fynbos area under its management. As a result, the entity has conducted two types of assessments (sociological and ecological) to make evidence-based decisions for managing the elephant/s in the future.

A targeted survey was conducted as part of the sociological assessments. Its response rate reached a total of 74% of the 500 contacts made. Results of the study support the introduction of more elephants to the Garden Route elephant range while many recognised that the complexity of the situation required expert input.

Those respondents favouring the re-introduction of elephants in the Knysna forest cited reasons ranging from ecological, cultural and historic values and also cautioned against commercial interest.

Most respondents advised that there must be a cautious management approach that is informed by inputs from elephant specialists, followed by landowners and conservation authorities.

“The ecological studies examined the elephant’s physiological condition, behaviour in response to human activities, identification of potential human-wildlife conflict areas as well as understanding the reason behind the demise of the elephant population in the area. These assessments supported the evidence of only one female elephant in the forest area and confirmed the extent of her feeding range,” SANParks said in a press release.

Different stress hormone levels found in the female elephant’s dung indicated that her hormone system is functioning well. In areas with low human presence, her stress hormone levels were low. Camera trap footage showed her to be relaxed while in high human-use areas or events but where she was being followed by humans, the stress hormones in her dung were high.

This aligned with her movement and behavioural patterns that showed avoidance of areas with a higher likelihood of human presence and contact.

“Both the social and ecological studies support management options that are low-risk, cautious and of minimal-disturbance as well as an acknowledgement that any management option should be informed by experts,” SANParks concluded.