Tuli elephants the losers in ongoing dispute

Nicolize van Tonde

The National Council for Animal Welfare Organisations (NCAWO) admitted yesterday that the remaining five Tuli elephants under its guardianship are caged in and do not get sufficient exercise because they are afraid the animals could endanger the lives of NCAWO monitors.

Marcelle French, executive director of NCAWO, said the animals are frustrated because they are kept in such small camps and that NCAWO will not allow its monitors to handle them.

French's comments were in reaction to a statement by Craig Saunders, owner of the animals, who said he was concerned over the elephants' welfare.

"The animals get no exercise and have to sleep outside at night. They are exposed to the elements like cold, rain and heavy thunder," said Saunders on Thursday.

He said the animals appeared to be healthy, but the psychological damage that had been done to them was getting worse by the day.

"Elephants are like children and need routine. The animals are not fed at the same time every day and only get exercise when responsible elephant handlers are present," he said.

Months after the uproar began, the elephants are still being kept on the property of Riccardo Ghiazza, near Brits. The animals can only be moved if the guardianship granted to NCAWO by a Brits magistrate, is revoked.

Ghiazza said months ago that the facilities on his property were only for the temporary housing of the animals and that he would prefer moving them.

French said that they were presently trying to move the elephants to a bigger boma on Ghiazza's property.

Saunders showed Beeld on Thursday the bomas and other facilities that are awaiting the animals. This infrastructure, which has been approved by the North West Department of Nature Conservation and been praised by various experts, has been erected for the conservation education park that Saunders wants to start and has been ready for the last five months.

The intention is to keep the elephants there in camps of about 5 000 sq. metres. The sleeping quarters are about the same size as those where the animals are presently being kept.

Saunders said he had suggested that the animals be moved to his property and remain under the guardianship of the NCAWO until the court made a decision.

But French said they would under no circumstances and out of free will move the animals to Saunders's property as a result of the charges of animal ill-treatment hanging over his head.

Saunders commented: "The welfare of the elephants is what is important, but at this stage it looks as if everyone has forgotten about the animals". 

Courtesy News24