• Image thanks, Rebekah Blocker, via, Unsplash.

Elephant Legislation

Legislation governing elephants in South Africa + information about existing regulations and norms & standards for elephant welfare, as well as negotiations concerning elephant welfare.

Elephant management is currently (2020) covered mainly by three Acts of Parliament and one set of regulations:

  • National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) - NEMBA (amended 2009, 2013). “The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 intends: to provide for the management and conservation of South Africa's biodiversity within the framework of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998; the protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection; the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources; the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting involving indigenous biological resources; the establishment and functions of a South African National Biodiversity Institute; etc.”
  • Threatened or protected species regulations, 2007 - TOPS.
  • Animals Protection Act, 1962 - APA (amended 1972,1983,1985, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998). “Aims: to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.”
  • Performing Animals Protection Act, 1935 (amended 1955, 1972, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1998, 2016). “Aims: to regulate the exhibition and training of performing animals.”
African elephant. Photo by Zachary Pearson on Unsplash

Norms and Standards for Management of Elephants in South Africa: Department briefing. Meeting of 14 July, 2020

  • Briefing to the National Council of Provinces committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy "by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on the norms and standards (N&S) that had been developed in line with section 9 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), which made specific provisions that would ensure the proper management of elephants in South Africa."
Read the report from this meeting
Elephant Care Association of South Africa. Image: Tobin Rodgers via Unsplash

Animal-visitor interactions: Ethical Reasoning and Participatory Approach Towards Achieving Regulatory Processes For Animal- Visitor Interactions (AVI) In South Africa

  • ECASA’s response to the call by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, for submissions to a High-Level Panel constituted to review policies, legislation, breeding, hunting, trading, and management of elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinoceroses in captivity.
  • Published: June, 2020
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