SA Publishes National Elephant Heritage Strategy to Strengthen Conservation

The framework is expected to guide conservation efforts for years to come while strengthening South Africa's position as a leader in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp has announced the publication of South Africa's National Elephant Heritage Strategy in the Government Gazette, marking a significant step forward in the country's efforts to protect and sustainably manage one of Africa's most iconic wildlife species.

The publication of the strategy paves the way for its formal implementation as South Africa's national framework for elephant conservation and management, providing a comprehensive and scientifically informed roadmap for safeguarding elephant populations while addressing the complex social, environmental and economic issues associated with their management.

According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the strategy establishes a coherent, evidence-based approach that aligns with national biodiversity objectives and broader environmental policy mandates. The framework is expected to guide conservation efforts for years to come while strengthening South Africa's position as a leader in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation.

African Elephant Population Remains Stable

The publication of the strategy comes at a time when South Africa's elephant population remains relatively healthy compared to many other regions across Africa. The DFFE noted that African elephants are currently listed nationally as a species of "least concern", indicating that the population is widespread, stable and faces a relatively low risk of extinction within the country.

This classification reflects decades of conservation efforts, effective protected area management and ongoing investment in biodiversity protection.

However, government emphasised that continued vigilance and strategic planning remain essential to ensure that elephant populations remain sustainable in the long term, particularly as pressures such as habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and climate change continue to evolve. The new strategy is therefore designed not only to maintain current conservation gains but also to address future challenges proactively.

Collaborative Approach to Developing the Strategy

The National Elephant Heritage Strategy was developed through a partnership involving several of South Africa's leading environmental institutions.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment worked closely with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks) to develop the framework.

The collaboration sought to create a unified national approach to elephant conservation and management, ensuring that efforts across different provinces, protected areas and conservation agencies are guided by a common vision.

The government said the strategy reflects years of research, consultation and stakeholder engagement aimed at identifying both the opportunities and challenges associated with elephant conservation in South Africa.

By bringing together expertise from multiple institutions, the framework aims to support informed decision-making based on scientific evidence and practical conservation experience.

Whole-of-Society Approach Guided Development

One of the defining features of the National Elephant Heritage Strategy is the inclusive process used in its development.

In line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the strategy was created using a whole-of-society approach that actively incorporated input from a broad range of stakeholders.

This included conservation experts, government agencies, researchers, wildlife managers, community representatives and other interested parties.

Government said this participatory process was critical to ensuring that the strategy reflects diverse perspectives and addresses the realities faced by communities living alongside elephant populations.

The collaborative approach also aligns with international best practices for biodiversity conservation, which increasingly recognise the importance of stakeholder participation in achieving sustainable environmental outcomes.

National Elephant Indaba Addressed Key Challenges

As part of the consultation process, a National Elephant Indaba was convened to facilitate discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing elephant conservation in South Africa.

The gathering brought together stakeholders from across the country to examine challenges related to human-elephant conflict and identify practical solutions.

Human-elephant conflict remains a significant concern in many parts of Africa, where expanding human settlements and agricultural activities increasingly overlap with elephant habitats.

Such interactions can result in damage to crops, infrastructure and property, while also posing risks to both people and wildlife.

The National Elephant Indaba provided a platform for participants to share experiences, evaluate scientific evidence and develop coordinated responses to these challenges.

The outcomes of these discussions have informed several aspects of the new strategy, helping to ensure that future management approaches balance conservation objectives with the needs of affected communities.

Framework to Guide Key Conservation Tools

The National Elephant Heritage Strategy is intended to serve as an overarching framework for a range of policies, plans and management tools related to elephant conservation.

According to the department, the strategy will guide the development, revision and implementation of several important mechanisms.

These include:

Elephant Norms and Standards

The strategy will support the ongoing development and refinement of national norms and standards that regulate how elephants are managed across various conservation areas and protected environments.

National Elephant Research Strategy

Scientific research will remain central to conservation planning, with the strategy helping to guide future research priorities and improve understanding of elephant populations, behaviour and ecological impacts.

Non-Detrimental Finding for Elephants

The framework will inform assessments used to determine whether specific activities involving elephants are sustainable and do not negatively affect the long-term survival of the species.

Elephant Red List Assessment

The strategy will contribute to ongoing evaluations of the conservation status of elephants and help ensure that management decisions are based on the most current scientific information available.

Reserve-Level Elephant Management Plans

Protected areas and conservation reserves will be able to align their individual elephant management plans with the broader national framework.

National Elephant Meta-Population Plan

The strategy will also guide efforts to manage elephant populations across multiple conservation areas as interconnected systems, supporting genetic diversity and long-term population resilience.

Integrated Socio-Ecological Approach

The department said the strategy adopts an integrated socio-ecological framework that recognises the complex relationship between people, wildlife and ecosystems.

Rather than focusing solely on biological conservation, the framework seeks to balance environmental sustainability with social and economic considerations.

Among its key objectives are strengthening adaptive management practices, improving stakeholder participation and expanding sustainable benefit-sharing opportunities associated with elephants and their habitats.

This approach recognises that successful conservation outcomes often depend on the support and involvement of local communities, landowners and other stakeholders.

By promoting inclusive and adaptive management, government hopes to ensure that elephant conservation contributes to broader environmental, social and economic goals.

Supporting International Conservation Commitments

The National Elephant Heritage Strategy will also serve as South Africa's National Elephant Action Plan for implementing the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP).

The AEAP is a continent-wide conservation framework aimed at securing the long-term survival of African elephant populations and addressing threats facing the species across its range.

Government said the new strategy aligns South Africa's domestic conservation efforts with its international obligations and commitments.

It will support engagement with other elephant range states while demonstrating South Africa's contribution to achieving the objectives of the African Elephant Action Plan.

Through this alignment, South Africa aims to strengthen regional cooperation and contribute to coordinated conservation efforts across Africa.