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One elephant remains in Knysna forest — should we reintroduce a herd or leave her be?

Wandering the depths of the Garden Route National Park, the only known survivor of the historic and iconic Knysna forest elephant herd, Strangefoot, faces an uncertain future. Conservationists and locals wrestle with the question: Should we intervene or let nature take its course?

One elephant remains in Knysna forest — should we reintroduce a herd or leave her be? The Knysna Elephant Park. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Julia Evans
By Julia Evans
20 Oct 2024
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‘Old foot has his own laws. Forest law.

“The same law that makes the day break, that keeps the Seven-star on its course, that makes the moon obey its phases, that decides the path of the sun in winter and in summer, that sends the rain... from the forest floor to the top of the highest tree, this law pulsates through everything like the rhythmical breathing of an almighty Being”

– Dalene Matthee, Circles in the Forest, 1985

Wandering among the Afromontane forest and fynbos in the Garden Route National Park’s Knysna forest, is Strangefoot.

Her name, given by rangers, comes from her unusually large and wide footprint. Now 50 years old, she’s believed to be the only surviving native Knysna elephant in the forest. She carries the weight of a dwindling legacy – one that conservationists are fiercely debating whether to save or leave alone.

Comments

johnbpatson Oct 20, 2024, 10:54 AM

Try a re-introduction again, unless the villages most likely to be affected say no. The people living there will need support, techniques to keep elephants away seem more advanced in parts of Asia than Africa, and in forrest areas too.

Andre Malan Oct 21, 2024, 07:09 AM

The Knysna forest is an absolute gem on the Garden Route - strengthening the elephant numbers is a great idea, but would have to be done intelligently. As has been seen in Namibia and Botswana, it could lead to the sort of destruction that happens when tuskers want more resources,

michaelmconsulting Oct 21, 2024, 01:38 PM

I agree to trying to re-introduce again. However a comprehensive impact study needs to be done with the stakeholder in the area and these stakeholders need to be educated on the risks of having elephants in the park. There are techniques to keep elephants away from humans, like bee hives

Lee Richardson Oct 22, 2024, 01:04 PM

They should retire the last remaining zoo elephants here. Even Charley from Pretoria

stalker Oct 22, 2024, 01:13 PM

This is an ecosystem that evolved with elephants. Lizette Moolman's comment that the system seems to be doing OK is probably true for now but do we know what trees depend on passing through an elephant's digestive system to germinate in this environment. More research is necessary.

julie rack Oct 25, 2024, 02:09 AM

Let the experts lead the way...

Richard Blake Oct 27, 2024, 04:51 PM

Elephants are highly social animals and to keep this elephant alone is no different than solitary confinement. It is cruel and wrong.