Conservation Action Trust

On 29 May 2026, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published South Africa’s National Elephant Heritage Strategy (2026–2036) in the Government Gazette. The strategy is set to serve as the country’s National Elephant Action Plan in terms of the implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan and provides a framework for managing South Africa’s elephants ...

Deputy Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Narend Singh has insisted that elephant culling in South Africa will remain a “

The NSPCA is in the Constitutional Court this week to defend the inclusion of animal ‘wellbeing’ in South Africa’s biodiversity law. The case may turn on a single word, but its outcome could decide whether wild animals are recognised in law as sentient beings, or managed as resources.

Wellbeing is a word with large implications for wil...

As South Africa wrestles with elephant management, delays and a lack of accountability could push culling from a last resort to an all-too-possible outcome.

MPs have voiced concern that provincial government failures could lead to the culling of elephants. (Photo: Colin Bell)

Deputy Environment Minister Narend Singh told Pa...

Madikwe Nature Reserve currently has 1,600 elephants, substantially more than originally intended, a situation created by years of official inaction. The high number of elephants has modified the vegetation, but little scientific evidence exists for biodiversity loss. No other species has declined due to elephant abundance. Recent good rains have removed the immediate thr...