https://www.timeslive.co.za/ne...-of-hunted-elephant/



Nature reserve apologises to guests traumatised by cries of hunted elephant

29 November 2018 - 19:04

BY NALEDI SHANGE

Balule Nature Reserve in Limpopo has apologised to guests from a nearby lodge who heard the blood-curdling cry of an elephant being shot multiple times by hunters.

The reserve is investigating the incident, which happened on Friday night and which it described as "harrowing and traumatising".

"Based on witness accounts gathered to date, this incident seems not to comply with the sustainable utilisation model of ethical hunting in accordance with the hunting protocol that governs all reserves within the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR)," the reserve said,

"If the results of the investigation point to unethical behaviour or behaviour that is contrary to established protocols we will have no hesitation in taking the appropriate disciplinary action," said the reserve in a statement.


Investigations had thus far revealed that "several shots were fired before the elephant was successfully brought down".

Balule said it had since taken statements from four eyewitnesses who claimed to have seen the shooting from a viewing deck.

"Contrary to news media reports, there is no allegation or proof of the use of alcohol by the hunting party before the hunting incident. We have a statement from an independent observer who was at the scene shortly after the incident, who has testified under oath to the sobriety of the hunting party," the reserve said.

It highlighted, however, that these were not poachers.

"The hunt was legal, and we have verified all permits. Our investigation relates to possible contravention of APNR trophy hunting protocol and ethical practice," Balule said.

The SA National Parks (SANParks) on Thursday condemned the incident.

Kruger National Park (KNP) was notified about the incident by the chairperson of the reserve, said its managing executive Glenn Phillips.


“The KNP would like to commend the reserve for taking immediate action to investigate the matter, and for their commitment to take all possible measures to ensure compliance with all legal and ethical requirements, pending the finalisation of the investigation, its recommendations and to take severe action against any persons and or organisations who are found to be in breach," said Phillips.

"The immediate communication and transparent action is a testimony to the commitment of Balule management to ensuring compliance by all its members. Sadly, as is always the case, it only takes one individual or organisation to smear the good name of those reserves that seek to comply with ethical and responsible practice.

“The KNP will not condone any practice that is unethical, unsustainable or to the detriment of the conservation estate. SANParks once again reiterates the importance of compliance to both the principles and objectives of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. The organisation is keenly awaiting the finalisation of the investigation”, he added.

https://africageographic.com/b...phant-hunt-incident/



Balule responds regarding traumatising elephant hunt incident


Posted on 28 November, 2018 by News Desk in Hunting, News, Wildlife and the News Desk post series.
Posted: November 28, 2018



Press release by Balule Nature Reserve Executive Committee

We wish to express deep regret that visitors to the reserve had to endure a harrowing and traumatising incident in which an elephant was shot by hunters near the lodge that the visitors were staying at. We apologise profusely and unreservedly to those affected.

Based on witness accounts gathered to date, this incident seems not to comply with the sustainable utilisation model of ethical hunting in accordance with the hunting protocol that governs all reserves within the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and to which Balule and hence Maseke are bound.

We are currently doing an in-depth internal investigation into the incident, and will report back once the process has been completed. If the results of the investigation point to unethical behaviour or behaviour that is contrary to established protocols we will have no hesitation in taking the appropriate disciplinary action. This has been a difficult few months for us, with a recent illegal elephant hunt on Balule that resulted in a warden being convicted, and we wish to stress our determination to operate in an ethical and transparent manner.

Note that we conduct detailed post-hunt reports on each and every trophy hunt conducted on Balule, to ensure compliance with legal and ethical requirements. At this early stage, we can confirm the following facts about this incident:

• The incident occurred on Friday afternoon on November 23rd, in the Maseke Game Reserve, which is incorporated into Balule Nature Reserve;

• The hunt took place in view and about 800 metres from a lodge situated in a neighbouring property;

• Several shots were fired before the elephant was successfully brought down;

• Balule management responded as soon as they were notified by the lodge about the incident;

• There were four eyewitnesses to the incident from the lodge viewing deck. We have obtained statements from them;

• Contrary to news media reports, there is no allegation or proof of the use of alcohol by the hunting party before the hunting incident;

• We have a statement from an independent observer who was at the scene shortly after the incident, who has testified under oath to the sobriety of the hunting party;

• The hunt was legal, and we have verified all permits;

• Our investigation relates to possible contravention of APNR trophy hunting protocol and ethical practice;

• The internal investigation is currently awaiting further correspondence and statements from the Maseke Game Reserve representative.

Balule Nature Reserve Executive Committee
28 November 2018

https://africageographic.com/b...er-warden-convicted/



Illegal collared elephant hunt in Greater Kruger – warden convicted

Posted on 26 November, 2018 by Africa Geographic Editorial in Hunting, News, Wildlife and the News Desk post series. — s
Posted: November 26, 2018



On 13 August this year a scheduled elephant hunt was conducted illegally in Balule Nature Reserve, a private reserve within the unfenced Great Kruger area, but outside of the Kruger National Park boundaries. A collared male elephant of 20-30 years old, with tusks of approximately 30 pounds on each side, was shot and killed during the illegal hunt.

Balule management laid criminal charges against the culprit as soon as the incident was reported.

A regional warden by the name of Frikkie Kotze, representing the private property within Balule during the hunt, pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined R50,000 OR five years imprisonment, with both options suspended for five years. In addition, he must pay R35,000 to Elephants Alive to replace the elephant collar. The hunting party consisted of Kotze, professional hunter and outfitter JJ Horn, the client and his wife.

Why was the hunt illegal?

According to information gleaned from various sources, the permit for this hunt was issued by Limpopo authorities (LEDET) whereas the elephant was killed in the Mpumalanga Province. Balule straddles both provinces, and according to our sources the hunting party strayed about 700 metres across the provincial boundary to shoot the elephant. Relevant hunting protocol demands that the warden and professional hunter should have a good working knowledge of the area – including provincial boundaries.

Why was the hunt a breach of accepted hunting protocol?

The elephant was collared and part of an ongoing research project by Elephants Alive. The elephant, sponsored by Youth 4 African Wildlife, was named ‘George’ by the research team, and was collared on 15 August 2016. Data from his movements and behaviour formed part of a study by the University of Nottingham into how geochemistry influences elephant movements. According to our sources the elephant was covered in mud at the time of the hunt and the warden and professional hunter claimed not to have seen the collar, as it was, according to him, “very tight around the elephant’s neck”. The collar was removed after the elephant was killed, and sent to Balule head warden Craig Spencer, who delivered the collar to Elephants Alive.



Aside from the above factors, all necessary permits and documentation for the hunt in Limpopo Province were apparently in place, and according to Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) hunting protocol, the elephant was of suitable age (20-30 years) and tusk size (30 pounds each side) for hunting purposes.

Comment from Balule representative

We contacted newly-appointed Balule chairperson Sharon Haussmann, who seems determined to stamp out illegal activities and actions that breach accepted protocol, and she had the following to say:

“I would like to state as chairperson of Balule Nature Reserve that I and my team are committed to good governance, with transparency and cooperation within the Greater Kruger system. This incident, a costly mistake by the regional warden, is extremely unfortunate and we worked pro-actively with the authorities for justice to prevail.”

Read our CEO’s opinion editorial about trophy hunting in the Greater Kruger.

I wonder if any of these idiots have ever seen hyenas bring an animal down.

Or lions killing an elephant that takes all night!

Anti hunters 1 : Hunters zero ! on this one period .

No amount of explaining , argument, fact, right wrong is going to go in our favour on this one !
A collared dude named George was done in , only thing worse would be to kill Dumbo in front of a room full of kids !

The enviro / media lynch mob has delivered the knock out punch.... boom done !

Leave it be , do not keep the subject alive let it go, the faster the better. Come back another day !

I have been saying it for years, regardless of what the consequences are, I would never, ever, knowingly shoot a collared animal!

quote:

I wonder if any of these idiots have ever seen hyenas bring an animal down.Or lions killing an elephant that takes all night!

Good point on subjects of no interest to the media; such natural events score no anti gun or nor anti hunting points with folk ignorant of the natural world.

Another nail in the (our) coffin. Not many more to go.
Cal

https://www.eturbonews.com/239...e-horrified-visitors



Young Balule Elephant shot 13 times before horrified visitors

By Louzel Lombard Steyn - December 5, 20181



Just as the furore about the trophy hunting of the pride male named Skye began abating, another incident has highlighted the ethics of hunting in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) alongside the Kruger National Park.

This time the victim was a young elephant, shot 13 times within sight of traumatized guests in Balule, a reserve within the APNR. After the first shot, the elephant began screaming and its cries were only silenced 12 shots later.

Guests staying at Parsons Nature Reserve near the boundary of Maseke Nature Reserve were relaxing on the verandah when hunters blazed away at the elephant within view and later hauled it away past their safari tents on the back of a truck. The professional hunter in charge, Sean Nielsen, claimed the elephant had been ‘shot in self-defense’.



However, seven eyewitnesses said the elephant was standing about 80 metres away from the hunters when the first shot was fired, after which it fled into the bush, trumpeting pathetically, pursued by the hunters who continued firing.

The guests said the elephant appeared to be juvenile. Tusk weight and size measurements are yet to be completed but, according to a local butchery where it was taken, it yielded only 1.8 tons of meat, whereas an adult elephant typically yields between 2.2 and 2.7 tons.

According to Balule chairperson Sharon Haussmann, the hunt conducted by Nielsen – a long-term lessee of Maseke Game Reserve – had the correct permits in place, but she said it seems the incident “did not comply with the sustainable utilization model of ethical hunting in accordance with the hunting protocol that governs all reserves within APNR and to which Balule and hence Maseke are bound.” A full investigation has been launched.

Haussmann labelled the incident as “completely unethical and inconsiderate and a huge embarrassment for Balule”. She also said the initial report from the hunting party regarding the incident was unsatisfactory.

“They issued a statement which I was not happy with and I sent it back with questions asking for more details and a site visit. They are not 100% forthcoming, but we have ways of dealing with that.” When approached, Nielsen refused to comment.

This is the second time that Balule has been in the spotlight over elephant hunting. In August this year, regional warden Frikkie Kotze was convicted for conducting an illegal elephant hunt in the reserve and the death of a collared elephant named George.


Following Kotze’s guilty plea, he was fined R50 000 or five years imprisonment, with both options suspended for five years. Haussmann said that Kotze’s hunting rights in the APNR had been suspended for 2018, but would be reviewed following the court case.

Mark de Wet, executive committee member and one of the founders of the Custodians of Professional Hunting and Conservation – South Africa (CPHC-SA), says unethical practices should not be tolerated. “You’re supposed to know exactly what you’re getting into if you’re hunting in those areas [the APNR]. Punishment for illegal activities within APNR must be harsh enough to deter and discourage culprits from carrying out further illegal and or unethical practices.”

The recent clearly inept hunt of the young elephant highlights a growing conflict between hunting and photographic safaris operating on the same land in the APNR, which adjoinins the Kruger with no intervening fences.



Audrey Delsink, Wildlife Director for Humane Society International (HSI) Africa says the organization is “deeply concerned about the number of incidences that have surfaced regarding hunting irregularities, non-compliance and unethical practices in the APNRs” of late.

“The horrific shooting of the Maseke elephant bull in front of tourists should serve as a long-overdue wake-up to the consequences that trophy hunting has on South African tourism,” she says.

Haussmann says the ethical violations of the APNR hunting protocol were difficult to govern because it made no provision for unethical practices, despite being based on the notion of ‘ethical and sustainable hunting.’

“It’s something we will have to discuss within the whole APNR structure,” she said, “as it affects all the private reserves within the Greater Kruger area. The APNR hunting protocol is based on ethical hunting and this [hunt] is not ethical.”

She said that, going forward, stricter control would be implemented during hunting, but was unable to specify what she meant by that.

In the past, the Kruger National Park has threatened to re-erect fences because of poor governance in APNR reserves. According to Glenn Phillips, Kruger National Park managing executive, “it only takes one individual or organisation to smear the good name of those reserves that seek to comply with ethical and responsible practice.

“The KNP will not condone any practice that is unethical, unsustainable or to the detriment of the conservation estate,” he said, and SANParks “keenly awaits the finalisation of the [Balule] investigation”.

Big whoop. Multiple shots 800 meters away. Shot from 80 meters. Unethical blah blah. Is it more ethical not to follow up? . Or more ethical to shoot the elephant at night when nobody can see? We demand a report. We demand the right to come on your private property and stir the pot. Give me a break. No doubt the "traumatized" babies deserve a million dollars a piece for their pain.

What a load of BS. Reminds me of Nancy Pelosi. It's immoral.

https://www.news24.com/Green/N...ess-reports-20190327



Balule elephant hunters acquitted, despite eyewitness reports

2019-03-28 07:34

Louzel Lombard Steyn



Balule Associated Nature Reserve in Limpopo has justified the killing of a young elephant bull in front of tourists as an "act of self-defence", backtracking on an original announcement condemning the act and ignoring eyewitness accounts.

The young elephant bull was shot 13 times in front of four eye-witnesses standing on a viewing deck overlooking Balule's Maseke Game Reserve, where the hunt took place, reports Conservation Action Trust.

Balule's Hunting Incident Report states: "The elephant charged [the hunting party] and they shot it when it was a five metres from them."

However, the hunters were never in any danger, says Annelize Slabbert, one of the four onlookers who witnessed the shooting.

She says guests at the lodge saw the whole incident from their unobstructed vantage point.

Her husband, Gerard, affirms this.

"After the first shot, I saw the three men standing by their vehicle in the road; the elephant was 80 to 100 metres away from them and starting running in the opposite direction."

The Slabberts also say the elephant never charged the hunting party.

According to Annelize, "It was calmly feeding on a tree when the first shot rang out. The elephant then gave a loud cry and ran for cover in the thicket, with the hunters running in pursuit, firing more shots. Thirteen shots later, after the elephant had fallen in a ditch in an attempt to escape the hunters, its shrieks ceased."

Later, a TLB, tractor and trailer had to be called in to retrieve the carcass from the deep ditch, the hunting report confirms.

"It is something I will, unfortunately, never forget," Annelize says. "It was heart-breaking."

Balule management has vehemently rejected any claims of alcohol use, but the final report states that one member of the hunting party, Sean Nielsen did, in fact, "mess his whiskey" on one of the witnesses who had approached the hunting party after the incident.

The report reads "A heated exchange took place between the witness and Mr Nielson."

Photographs taken on the scene show Nielsen, the long-term lessee of Maseke Game Reserve, with a glass of tawny liquid in hand. He reportedly acted as the reserve representative on the hunt.



The photographs, Balule chairperson Sharon Haussmann argues, were taken after the shooting and are, therefore, not indicative of a breach of any ethical or general hunting protocols.

Change of tune

When the incident occurred on November 23 last year, Haussmann initiated a full investigation and said that the parties involved would be held accountable.

She labelled the incident as "completely unethical and inconsiderate and a huge embarrassment for Balule".

She said "It did not comply with the sustainable utilisation model of ethical hunting in accordance with the hunting protocol that governs all reserves within APNR and to which Balule and hence Maseke are bound."

The full investigation report was shared in full in February this year. The outcome painted an entirely different picture.

Haussmann backtracked on her initial statement and said in January, "According to the APNR protocol there were no ethical transgressions.

"We don't approve that it happened in front of a lodge, but unfortunately, the lay of the land was such that it was in view of a lodge."

The full investigation concludes: "Besides poor site selection, there is no evidence of ethical breaches that can be actioned by us."

When asked about the contradicting statements between Balule's final report and the witness reports sent in as part of the investigation, Haussmann said it was a case of "he said, she said".

"I wasn't there. I wish I was; then I could tell you for sure [what happened]," she said. The report simply concludes that there's no reason to doubt the "version put forward by the 'hunting party'".

Hunting continues

Kruger National Park's managing executive Glenn Phillips also previously condemned the hunt and said SANParks was "keenly awaiting the finalisation of the [Balule] investigation".

When questioned on the outcome of the investigation, no further comment was received.

The increasing number of questionable hunting incidents occurring in the Kruger's adjoining reserves underscores the growing conflict between hunting and photographic safaris operating on the same land in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNRs).

While this conflict ensues in meetings regarding protocol and ethics, poaching in the park is on the rise and Kruger's elephants are caught in a dangerous gap between licensed and unlicensed killers.

Kruger recently launched a campaign aimed at fighting elephant poaching in the park's northern region, however Balule was given approval by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) to hunt 22 elephants during the 2019/2020 hunting season, which begins on April 1.

This amounts to nearly half of the 47 elephants permitted to be hunted in all the APNRs this season.

In the previous year, a total of 53 elephants were legally hunted in the APNR, while 71 elephants were poached in the Kruger Park.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Another nail in the (our) coffin. Not many more to go.
Cal

Hope it's a glass fronted one, we might not be able to do anything but at least we could keep an eye on things

I may have got it wrong but I thought the African hunting experience was to take in the wilderness, wildness and beauty of the African countryside, stalking and taking animals as trophies or those just representative of their species.
Is there any need to be shooting animals within sight and sound of lodges and viewing decks or anywhere where there are tourist/photographic safaris happening? Then on top of this multiple shots that a hunter of any other animal would be, or should be, thoroughly ashamed of. Why not just herd the animals into an arena set up seats and call it an African bull fight.

All I can say after reading Kathi's posts is for fucks sake some have really lost their way.