THE TULI ELEPHANT SITUATION

Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

An urgent meeting was convened tonight to seek a rapid solution to the mistreatment of elephants.

Minister Moosa with Dirk du Toit, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, met with the Chair of the Board of the Directors of the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), Dr Steward Downs and the Director of Conservation of World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF SA), Dr Rob Little.

The meeting expressed its abhorrence at the cruel treatment of these elephants and stated that those responsible for the cruelty cannot get away with it and the law must take its course.

They agreed that action needs to be taken immediately to stop the mistreatment and a long term mechanism must be put in place to guard against the possibility of recurrence.

At the time of going to press, keepers of the Johannesburg Zoo have already been dispatched to take over the care of the animals.

The meeting agreed:

• That the elephants be moved as soon as possible in as short a time as is feasible for their welfare to suitable facilities.
• That the WWF SA will buy the remaining elephants.
• The Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs and Environmental Affairs and Tourism will provide ongoing independent monitoring of the situation.

Issued by The Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Contact Person: Dr Tanya Abrahamse on (012) 310 3664

9 July 1999