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Elephant cruelty claim disputed
Myrtle Ryan, The Sunday Tribune (SA)
January 07, 2007

http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=15817

Shearwater Adventures, which operates several adventure activities in Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls area, has reacted strongly to allegations by the Zimbabwe SPCA (ZNSPCA) that it is abusing young elephants being trained to carry tourists on elephant-back safaris. The claims include that the elephants are standing knee-deep in their own dung in tiny enclosures, and that they are mistreated and suffering from dermatitis. Zimbabwe's SPCA is receiving the backing of South Africa's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), which is calling for the return of the youngsters to the wild. However, the Elephant Tourism Association - a sub-division of the Elephant Management and Owners Association which has been receiving daily updates on the elephants' progress - says these claims have been exaggerated. Co-ordinator for the association, Greg Vogt, said that three vets (two Zimbabwean state vets and a South African) had given the all clear. "They found no cruelty," said Vogt, mentioning that the animals were being closely monitored and managed in accordance with a management plan drawn up by the vets, the association and Shearwater Adventures. The association will be visiting the site within the next few days with one of its experienced operators to get first-hand information.

According to Vogt, since the issue of the young elephants was first raised late last year, the vets have paid three visits to the facility. Zimbabwean state vet Dr Chris Foggin has written reports making several suggestions, which have been acted upon. Speaking about the allegation that the elephants were standing knee-deep in their own dung, Vogt said, "If it were true, we would have extracted them immediately". Allen Roberts of Shearwater Adventures said the bomas were cleaned on a daily basis, and fresh sand was laid. With regard to claims that many of the elephants had developed dermatitis, he said only one had a small patch which was being treated according to veterinary instructions. The animals' general condition had also improved, rather than deteriorated, since their capture. While animal welfare groups want the elephants returned to the wild (they were originally taken from Hwange National Park), Vogt said elephant experts disagreed with this proposal. Subjecting them to yet a further traumatic move could do more harm than good. "They also said if they were to be returned, they would have to be released at the exact spot where they were captured and returned to their own herd."

Roberts pointed out that the animals had been captured from eight different herds, many of which had migrated far from the area with the onset of the rainy season. Suggestions that they be released into a neighbouring game reserve were also impractical, as it did not have sufficient carrying capacity. The youngsters could also come into contact with wild breeding herds or bachelor bull herds, while having no herd structure or leadership themselves. They could also pose a threat to tourists visiting the reserve. Roberts expressed disappointment that the ZNSPCA had filed a police report charging Shearwater Adventures with cruelty, as the concern had offered the organisation's chief inspector, Glynis Vaughan, unrestricted access to the animals. The intention had been to work together to ensure their welfare. On training methods, Roberts said this was being done according to standards prescribed in R B Martins' Guidelines for Management and Training of Domestic Animals. These methods include an approach that encouraged the elephants to "live a life similar to that of wild elephants - with the added feature of a close relationship with humans". It is a model recognised by many elephant experts.

Roberts said the relationship between elephants and their trainers and handlers was one based on mutual trust and respect, rather than on dominance and breaking of the animal's spirit. Training would not be rushed for commercial purposes. According to both Vogt and Roberts, the herd of 11 older elephants, which have already been domesticated for elephant- back safaris, spent free hours foraging in the wild. Had they wanted to run away this would have been the ideal opportunity, said Vogt. Roberts believes the elephant-back safaris give those who take them an opportunity to interact with elephants and hopefully take a greater interest in the conservation issues surrounding the animals. Roberts said Shearwater Adventures was a reputable concern, which had been doing business for 25 years. It is establishing a conservation trust, which would ensure that a portion of its revenue was ploughed back into conservation and research, he said. A fund was also being established to ensure the elephants were cared for happily in their retirement.

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