South Africa considers elephant cull for the first time in ten years

For the first time since the mid 90's South African nations are considering an elephant cull to relieve the stress of over populated elephant herds on indigenous wildlife and man in the largest preserve in Africa. Kruger National Park is the size of Israel and has experienced a steady rise in the numbers of elephants from a low of 7000 in 1994 to an estimated 12000 individuals today.

Birth control has been suggested as an alternative to culling the herd, but the solution is a long shot because of the considerable expense. Funds need to come from a larger community of animal welfare concerns in a joint initiative including government and private sources if the community of nations involved wish to avoid a repeat of the past.