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In a secluded slice of the Garden Route National Park, an elephantine enigma ambles through the Afromontane forests and fynbos: Strangefoot, the last known native Knysna elephant. At 50 years, her notable footprint is not just literal but symbolic—marking the dwindling heritage of an elephantine presence that stretches back centuries.
The rich biodiversity of Knysna forest conceals the vanishing tales of over a thousand elephants that used to roam here. The San people, original denizens of the southern Cape, recorded their existence in rock art. However, by the late 18th century, European settlers catalyzed the decline of these gentle giants through hunting. Intensified human-elephant conflict in the 1800s further reduced their numbers. Today, the South African National Parks (SANParks) can only regularly account for Strangefoot within this region.
KNYSNA - A report on consultations between SANParks scientists, South African and international wildlife groups, and communities, due to be released next year, a significant step towards a decision being made on whether or not to reintroduce elephants into the Knysna Forest.
— C H I E F (@CalvinTeddy) October 18, 2024
Controversy has long surrounded the question of how many Knysna elephants remained. In 2007, a genetic study by experts including Lori Eggert, utilized fecal DNA to estimate the existence of five such elephants. However, challenges regarding the reliability of genetic sampling from dung were posed by ecologist Lizette Moolman, pointing out potential inaccuracies.
Dr. Alida De Flamingh, recently arrived in Knysna, seeks to unravel the enigma of historical elephant populations using historical specimens. While genetic sampling from blood and tissue is reliable, the non-invasiveness of field work like Eggert and Patterson's meant dung DNA, prone to error, was used.
Karel Maswati, a SANParks field ranger with 34 years of experience, corroborated the singular presence of Strangefoot, despite hopes to find more evidence of a hidden population. His remarks underscore the rare glimpse of Strangefoot, a likely final vestige of her kind.
SANParks' comprehensive scientific study involving 80 camera traps over a 180km2 range from 2016 to 2018 corroborated the lonely existence of one elephant. Despite the initial skepticism that has spread over years, this peer-reviewed outcome brought a somber clarity.
Moolman highlighted the challenges of reintroduction, ranging from community risks to habitat fragmentation and outdated research on the Knysna elephants' dietary habits. She also noted the importance of understanding that Strangefoot, like her ancestors, traverses both forest and fynbos terrains, though contemporary beliefs pegged them strictly as forest dwellers.
Remarkably, Strangefoot's stress hormones suggest a healthy functioning endocrine system, with increased stress corresponding predictably with human contact. This sets the stage for SANParks' upcoming workshops built to measure the potential for human-elephant conflict, logistical hurdles, and environmental appropriateness for reintroduction.
Reflecting on prior initiatives, SANParks considers the reintroduction of elephants a decision not without risks, after a failed experiment in 1994 led to unfortunate outcomes for transferred Kruger National Park elephants. Learning from this and considering community dynamics became indispensable for any future decisions.
Community surveys showed significant interest in the restoration of elephants for ecological, cultural, and historical reasons, surpassing commercial incentives. Nevertheless, concerns about managing human-elephant interactions loom.
As conservationists grapple between reintroducing a herd or allowing Strangefoot's singular reign, SANParks underscores the criticality of diverse expert input, including veterinarians and wildlife managers, in devising a risk-aware, socially responsible, and practical plan for the Knysna elephant's future.