A joint operation by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Humane World for Animals and Loziba Wildlife Reserve has secured South Africa’s smallest free-roaming elephant population after years of escalating human-wildlife conflict in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The greater Mawana/Loziba herd was increasingly in contact with residential and agricultural land due to failed fences and competing land uses. After the previous reserve owners did not repair the perimeter, the population was declared res nullius, prompting urgent action. An 8 300 hectare emergency area, now Loziba Wildlife Reserve, was approved pending compliance and an elephant management plan.
“This accomplishment would not have been possible without the outstanding collaboration and steadfast support from our NGO partners,” said Vuyiswa Radebe, Head of Ezemvelo’s Biodiversity Conservation Operations. She thanked communities for “their remarkable patience during the search for a lasting solution”.
Humane World for Animals and partners implemented non-lethal interventions including immunocontraception, conflict mitigation tools, elephant shepherd training with Elephants Alive and GPS-based monitoring.
The 66km Loziba fence is now complete, incorporating a “tentacle” system and a virtual fence linked to satellite collars. On November 6, the herd moved into the Loziba corridor and, by November 10, 28 elephants were secured inside the reserve.
“This success proves that coexistence is possible when science, collaboration and willpower come together,” said Audrey Delsink, Humane World for Animals Senior Director of Wildlife.
