KENYA LONDON TIMES

SHEARWATER – ELEPHANTS - A response
By topi lyambila
Jan 6, 2007, 00:48

Last week we carried a report from the National Council of SPCAs saying wild elephants in Zimbabwe are being captured and exploited for commercial purposes.

NSPCA spokesperson Marcelle Meredith said then that 10 juvenile elephants, aged between 5 and 10 years, were confined in enclosed bomas in more than a metre of their own dung. "One elephant has already died," she said.

The juvenile elephants were forcibly removed from their natural herds by Shearwater Adventures last month. The remaining elephants were confined in bomas measuring about 25sq m.

Shearwater Adventures have denied the allegations and here appended is their response;

1. The ZNSPCA position, and apparently that of the NSPCA in South Africa, is that they are “opposed to the domestication of any wild animal”. It is understandable therefore that they would object to elephants being used in the tourism industry.

2. Unfortunately the NSPCA view chooses to ignore the fact that in Zimbabwe we have a policy, which embraces the sustainable use of our wildlife resource. In addition they ignore that many much needed jobs are created as a result, that much need foreign currency is generated, that a large portion of the proceeds generated through the elephants commercial use goes directly back into the welfare of the elephants being used, and that a portion of the profits generated are channeled back into wildlife conservation, community and research projects. It also ignores the fact that many people relish the opportunity to ride and interact with an elephant, to learn more about the elephant and as a result take a greater interest in the conservation issues
surrounding them.

3. The NSPCA press release, and subsequent press articles, have been published containing the following untruths;

3.1 That the elephants are standing in huge piles of dung. NOT TRUE. The bomas are cleaned, and fresh sand laid down, on a daily basis

3.2 That the condition of the elephants is deteriorating. NOT TRUE. Their condition is generally improving. Veterinary reports confirm this.

3.3 That a number of the elephants have developed dermatitis, a skin condition. NOT TRUE. Only one elephant has a small patch of dermatitis, a condition it has had since capture. This is being treated according to veterinary instruction, is being monitored closely and is responding well to treatment. Veterinary reports produced do not support the allegations NSPCA and others are making.

4. The NSPCA press release neglected to mention that three veterinary inspections have been carried out by Government Vets and that these are continuing at regular intervals. The most recent veterinary report shows that;
- Most of the elephants are in good bodily condition.
- Only 2 are still displaying any signs of stress (however both have made great progress in the last week and since the last Vets report).
- There is no evidence of disease.
- That the elephant with the dermatitis is responding to treatment.
- There is no evidence of cruelty.
Veterinary inspections are ongoing. We are also taking advice from a number of experts and acting according to that advice.

5. The suggestion by NSPCA that these elephants might be returned to their herds is as ill informed as it is impractical. The animals were captured from eight different herds, not one as NSPCA suggests, and these will have migrated far away from the area with the onset of the rainy season. This is not an option.

6. The suggestion that the release of these animals into the surrounding game reserve would be in the elephants best interests is new and ill informed. In fact we were surprised when ZNSPCA made this suggestion as their Chief Inspector, Ms. Glynis Vaughan, had initially stated to us that “release is not an option” and that her only concern was the elephants welfare. Were such a release to take place ZNSPCA have suggested that Shearwater should be responsible for monitoring the situation. This is not consistent with the false allegations of irresponsibility and brutality that they have made against us. It is the overwhelming opinion of experts on this issue that such a release would end in tragedy and in fact, some have stated that it would be better to destroy the elephants rather than release them. Yes, we have resisted calls to release the elephants, into a reserve which does not have the carrying capacity to sustain them, where they will come into contact with wild breeding herds, bachelor bull herds, our existing domesticated herd, other reserve wildlife, and where they will have no herd structure or leadership themselves. It is also possible that the released elephants would pose a threat to tourists visiting the reserve. Such a release could only end in tragedy.

7. On the 20th December 2006, having failed to secure the release of the elephants, ZNSPCA filed a complaint with the police resulting in a charge of contravening the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against us. Effectively we have been charged with cruelty despite the fact that on the very next day a Government Vet issued a report stating that his inspection “did not reveal any evidence of cruelty to the elephants”. A subsequent veterinary inspection has confirmed this. It is the opinion of our legal advisors that there is no prospect of bringing a successful prosecution. We consider this further evidence of their malicious intent and heavy-handed approach. At this point we would like to state that we had previously agreed, without hesitation, to cooperate with ZNSPCA Chief Inspector Ms. Glynis Vaughan. We granted Ms. Vaughan unrestricted access to our elephants on the understanding that we would work together to ensure the elephants welfare. It is regrettable that somewhere along the way the ZNSPCA agenda changed and that they chose to work against us rather than working with us. This despite numerous assurances from Ms. Vaughan that their only interest was the welfare of the elephants.

We understand that the NSPCA is currently soliciting for donations for the ZNSPCA for the release of the elephants despite the advice of numerous experts to the contrary. To demand a release also goes against the initial statement made by ZNSPCA Chief Inspector Glynis Vaughan that “releasing the elephants is not an option”.

8. That the NSPCA should choose to use this story to raise funds by publishing false, damaging, misleading and malicious information is extremely dishonest. Our legal advisors have written to the ZNSPCA and are seeking an audience with them to review the situation. The possibility that we will seek legal recourse against ZNSPCA cannot be ruled out at this stage.

9. With regard to the current status of the elephants, they have generally settled down well and are acclimatizing to their new home where training has begun. It is important to note that all training is done according to the highest standards prescribed in R.B Martins, Guidelines for Management and Training of Domestic Elephant, as well as other accepted norms and standards for the industry. These methods include an approach that encourages, "... the elephants to live a life similar to that of wild elephants - with the added feature of a close relationship with humans". This model of domestication allows
the elephant to be an African elephant. The domesticated elephant will be allowed to wander freely and feed normally as in wild habitats and as the other ten Shearwater elephant do on a daily basis.

The relationship being built between elephants and their trainers and handlers is a willing relationship based on mutual trust and respect rather than one based on dominance. It contrasts sharply with those systems which rely on breaking the elephant's spirit as used elsewhere in the world. This atmosphere of trust results in greater safety for all those in contact with the elephants. The suggestion that we are likely to rush the training process due to commercial pressures is unfounded. We already have a domesticated herd of 11 elephants which is more than sufficient to meet our commercial needs as we go into what is traditionally our low season. Our trainers are under no pressure whatsoever and have been assured that whatever resources they require to look after the welfare of the elephants will be made available to them.
The result is that these elephants will enjoy many free hours foraging in the wild just as the other Shearwater elephants do. This is the way the majority of elephants have been trained and cared for in Zimbabwe for the past 20 years. It is a tried and tested model and one recognized by a wide number of experts including Daphne Sheldrick. Essentially it allows plenty of time for the elephants to be elephants.

10. Finally we would point out that Shearwater is a highly reputable tourism operator with 25 years of experience in the business. We subscribe to the highest of standards and at all times place the safety of tourists first together with the welfare of their elephants. We have, and will continue to contribute to a broad range of conservation organizations and we are strongly committed to working with, and educating, local communities through our “Wisdom 4 Wildlife” programme. We are currently in the process of establishing a “Shearwater Conservations Trust” which will manage the portion of the revenues generated by the elephants which goes back into conservation and research programmes. An “Elephant Welfare and Retirement Fund” is also being established to ensure that funds are available so that we can care for the elephants once they reach retirement age or should they become unable to continue working in the tourism industry.

In conclusion we are of the opinion that the ZNSPCA and NSPCA have conducted themselves very poorly in this matter and has failed to publish, or even consider, the true facts. Veterinary reports confirm that the elephants are being well cared for and the training process is proceeding well and to accepted high standards. The welfare of the elephants remains our priority and it is simply not in our interests that these elephants should be mistreated in anyway.

Should further information be required please contact either Mr. Greg Vogt of the Elephant Tourism Association or Mr. Allen Roberts of Shearwater

Adventures on the following contact details:

Greg Vogt
Elephant Tourism Association
Email: greg@dsa.co.za or gvogt@mweb.co.za
Telephone: + 27 44 382 7078

Allen Roberts
Shearwater Adventures
Email: allen@shearwater.co.zw
Telephone: +263 (0)13 42172/3, 40058. 40056

This is how someone, trying to justify a wrong he has done, tries to justify to himself and others that he is right. This is pure garbage.

What he doesn't tell you is that he has two vets on staff. How objective can their opinion be about the health of those animals when they know they won't be paid if they disagree with him?

The thing that really ticked me off royally is that he associated the name of Daphne
Sheldrick, someone who has always done positive things for wildlife of all kinds, with his negative misadventures. I have already written Greg Vogt and notified Daphne Sheldrick that someone is misusing her name. I know she would be horrified at what he has done and at the government letting him get away with it.

Again it comes down to greed. Look at his website. He has many things people can choose from that he makes money from without capturing wild animals to tame them for riding. It is people like this that need to be culled - not elephants. And we, as animal lovers, have to get out the word that having a ride on an elephant while on safari is not cool - it is a form of cruelty - making an animal do something it would never do of its own choice.

jan
i completely agree!
there are so many elephant back safaris now based on the fact that they get their elis from zim quite easily! and only opening up eli safari companies creates the request. and because many people love that idea of riding on an eli without giving a thougt to where/when/why it came from.
i think the forevather for any eli safari company was ABU in botswana which got tame circus elis from usa. but this is long time ago. in the meantime they must have bought other ones but nobody cares regarding their history. and you will lough: clients pay more than 1500 US$/day for such an "adventure".
because these safari operators make a huge amount of money of this cruelty they can only be stopped if casualties happen! so let's cross our fingers that we hear of such incidents which involve human deaths and it will be stopped!

(Sorry, the Sheldrick Trust Logo did not paste)

The Article in the Kenya London times of January 6th concerning the Shearwater Hwange snatch of young elephants from their living families, for commercial gain has just been brought to my notice, and I am appalled that my name appears suggesting that I am supportive of the capture and cruel domestication of young African elephants for commercial purposes. I insist on this being immediately corrected. I am not, never have been, and never will be supportive of the kidnapping of young elephants from the wild and their natural families for commercial gain, nor of the confinement and cruel training these elephants undergo to force compliance. In fact, I fought rigorously for 5 long weeks against this abuse in the notorious Tuli Elephant debacle. I therefore object strongly to my name being associated in any way whatsoever with what Shearwater is up to and condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I believe that to use my name to suggest that I support such action provides grounds for legal action, which I will be forced to consider if this is not corrected immediately.

Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE MBE MBS DVMS 1992 Global 500 Laureate.

Dear Janet,

The Elephant Tourism Association is an organisation that dedicates itself to ensure that all elephant in trained environments are cared for according to the highest norms and std's.

For us to have access to the elephants that are at the sites of the various operators we ask them to join our org. By joining the are subjected to our scrutiny. For your assurance, the vets that have visited the elephants have nothing to do with his organisation. Dr Foggin is a highly reputable state vet and I commend him for taking the stance of getting a second opinion from Dr du Toit from South Africa. du Toit travelled up to Shearwater just before the New Year and a detailed report has been given. Most importantly though, is that their visit was the third visit in just over a month by a state vet.

I get all vet reports and I get all photographs of the progress being made to ensure these animals are not being abused. Furthermore, I have been given access to these premises on the 15th, 16th and 17th of this month. During this time ETA will be able to assess he progress made and we will observe the training methods. Judging from what I can see from the pictures and reports from the vets, no abusive training methods are being used. The approach is a gentle approach using no chains or ropes. A process where mutual trust is being built up.

My patience with Shearwater stems from the fact that they have an extraordinary case particular to them. A perfectly wild elephant joined there elephants a number of years ago. It chose to do this at it's free will. Unlike in South Africa, the Zim elephants walk freely in the reserves - with their handlers, however not tied to them in any way - during the leisure time. This amounts to half the day. This fact really amazes me as they come across other herds and could walk away if they so wished. In South Africa, many of the tamed/trained operators do not have access to these large tracts of land for such leisure.

We do not subscribe to taking elephants from the wild, but we commit to monitoring elephants in trained environments. We are currently doing our utmost to ensure that legislation does not allow for elephants to be taken from the wild, however still sit with the commitment to elephants in trained environments. For us to have access to these elephants and oversee the conditions within which the live, we have to have the trust of the operators. It is a lonely task, as no other rights or welfare group, neither does the govt, assist us in this endeavour. However, you can rest assured, that any miscare or poor management will be exposed and closed should we come across it.

Our website will be up and running - funding permitting - soon and you will be able to monitor the progress of these elephant as they relax in this new environment. I know that you would prefer them to be in the wild, but as all three vest have attested to, it will be as cruel to release them back into the wild. The vets have confirmed to ZSPCA that this is not in the best interests of the animals.

please feel free to contact me any time in the future

kind regards

Greg Vogt

i won't give too much for this statement as the elephant tourism organisation has got the right to exists in itself means in elephant tourism and of course they have to sustaine that kind of tourism in order to sustain its very own existance!!