(most recent news first)

02 November 2000: Tuliphant accused not in court. Pretoria - Ricardo Ghiazza and two other men, who allegedly abused the controversial Tuli elephants, could not be subpoenaed in time to appear in the Pretoria regional court on Thursday.

24 August 2000: Tuli case 'will be reinstated'. The National Council of the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) on Wednesday said it was confident that the case against three men who allegedly abused the juvenile Tuli elephants would be reinstated. "We are not overly concerned as our main consideration has always been the lives and the welfare of the elephants. They are off the (Brits) property. Their lives and welfare are not at stake." said NSPCA spokesperson Marcelle French.

23 August 2000: Tuli case: three walk while state fiddles. The case of the alleged abuse of a group of Tuli elephants was struck off the court roll in the Brits magistrate's court in Northern Province on Tuesday.

21 February 2000: Judgement was given on 21 February 2000 in the Supreme Court, Pretoria, on the application by Mr. Ghiazza to have the decision of Magistrate Glas set aside as incorrect. Mr. Ghiazzas application was dismissed with costs. The Judge felt that there was no merit in the application.

19 Febraury 2000: Tuli elephants' fate to be decided.

19 January 2000: SPCA to monitor Tuli jumbos in new home. Five young elephants from the group captured in the Tuli Block in Botswana by game dealer Riccardo Ghiazza two years ago have been transported to the property of the man who is to be charged with cruelty to them. Further training is planned!!!!!

18 January 2000: Craig Saunders gets 5 Tuli Elephants from Riccardo Giazza. In spite of a pending court case against Craig Saunders for animal abuse, 5 of the 9 Tuli elephant, belonging to Riccardo Giazza, were moved from Sandhurst Hunting lodge in the North West Province to Saunders' intended "Education Park".

10 January 2000: The old saying that an elephant never forgets appears to be true. The remaining five Tuli elephants, who spent months under the media spotlight, were released back into the wild at the Marakele Game Reserve, near Thabazimbi in the Northern Province, just days after their arrival because they remembered their other fellow Tuli elephants that were already living in the park. 

23 Decemeber 1999: Early Christmas for five Tuli elephants. Five elephants received an early Christmas gift on Friday as they were returned to the wild following a 17-month-long battle to win their freedom. The elephants will arrive at Marakele National Park in South Africa on Friday. Courtesy IOL

22 December 1999: Tuliphants to remain in NSPCA custody. The National Council of SPCAs fought off a court bid on Wednesday to have the remaining five Tuli elephants still being held at Riccardo Ghiazza's African Game Services (AGS) facility, removed from their custody.

22 December 1999: Pretoria - The owner of the remaining five Thuli elephants, Graig Saunders, has sold them in a surprise move to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (NSPCA). Courtesy News24.

10 December 1999: NSPCA lays perjury charges in Tuli case. The NSPCA has laid charges against Brits businessman Craig Saunders for perjury after claiming that two statements he made in court contradicted each other. Courtesy News24.

3 December 1999: Tuli elephants the losers in ongoing dispute. 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. Courtesy News24.

8 October 1999:  The magistrate was unable to reach a decision in the case against Ghiazza and Craig Saunders. The case was postponed until the 26th October 1999 at 2pm in the Brits court.

30 September 1999: Tuli elephants held in abject conditions. THE Wildlife Action Group has released photographs depicting the alleged ill-treatment of four Tuli elephants in Dresden Zoo in Germany, the organisation said on Thursday.

9 September 1999: Tuli jumbo owner to be prosecuted. Tuli elephant owner Riccardo Ghiazza will be prosecuted in terms of the Animal Protection Act, SABC news reported on Thursday.

8 September 1999: Tuli Elephant case postponed indefinitely. The Pretoria High Court on Wednesday postponed indefinitely the review application made by Riccardo Ghiazza, owner of the controversial Tuli elephants which formed the subject of a protracted legal battle over the past year. - (Courtesy News24)

8 September 1999: Tuli elephants owner blasts NSPCA. Riccardo Ghiazza, the owner of the controversial Tuli elephants which have formed the subject of protracted legal battles over the past year, has lashed out at the NSPCA for acting in the interests of a "political agenda" and not having the welfare of the animals as its primary concern.

30 August: Ghiazza silences the state:  Wildlife dealer and accused smuggler Riccardo Ghiazza's lawyers have threatened legal action to prevent state officials from revealing details of permits issued to Ghiazza's company. 

15 August: Wildlife group stages another protest over sale of Tuliphants. Courtesy news24

6 August: Confirmation that the R500,000.00 for the 9 ellies at Marakele was handed over by Ghiazza has been received

4 August: The monkey hunt has been called off! Dept of Environment supplied personnel today to do a survey on the problem of overpopulation and to help stop the monkeys destroying the crops. Monkeys will be moved to Tzaneen - East Tvl. Have to tell you that the farmer did ask for help in April this year from Dept Nature Conservation - no reply - I personally think that conservation is so thin on the ground with regard to personnel they are really struggling to get around - particularly with the antiquated laws we have! Back to the same old story - laws HAVE to be revised. - thanks Debbie. NEWS24

30 July 1999: In a court ruling the hunting of the semi-tame black rhino has been stopped.

29 July 1999: Nine of the fourteen young elephants who have been held on the property of African Game Services have recently been moved to Marakele National Park in the northern part of South Africa. In order to minimise disturbance to the elephants, the relocation was done quietly at night, outside of the glare of any media attention. Leading wildlife experts have agreed that this venture represents the best possible opportunity to successfully rehabilitate these animals into the wild. The five elephants who have been bought privately are to remain at African Game Services until such time as a court decision is made regarding custody. These 5 will continue to be monitored on Africam.

29 July 1999: Another sad reflection on the attitude towards wildlife in South Africa: A South African hunting operator has asked a court for permits to hunt an endangered and partially tame Black Rhino, but the Pretoria government has vowed to protect the threatened animal. - Please send your support to the Pretoria government.

28 July 1999: Elephants of Saunders after all just a personal money machine - 360% markup to relinquish "ownership"...... So much for his "sanctuary for abused elephants" statement!!! A very reliable source revealed that Saunders claimed the initial R750,000 was a "deposit" only, and in a Pretoria News report Saunders justifies the mark-up is to "reimburse him for the infrastructure" setup for this "ecotourism" ventured - previously he called this an "education park"....... This is the same man who said in a Carte Blanche follow-up program: "after extensive reading on training methods, I found the Indonesian (mahout) method to be the softest" and "I will be happy to let them go" (if the animal welfare organization can assure him the elephants will be better off in the wild). Did he "forget: to add he will let them go only if the money is right???

28 July 1999: 9 of the abused Tuli elephants at African Game Services could be going to the Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg mountains in the VERY near future, according to an article in the Cape Argus

25 July: Protesters gathered at African Game Services, demanding all 30 Tuliphants be returned to the wild. There is still uncertainty as to the fate of the elephants. The NSPCA, who has custody of the 14 elephants at AGS, has not been informed of the agreement between the WWF and Ghiazza. NEWS24.

23 July 22:45: The remaining 9 Tuli elephant sold to the WWF, but Ghiazza to donate the proceeds of the sale towards elephant management, e.g. buying land at Dongola as an extension of the Vhembe-Dongola National Park.. Full Article

21 July: American actress Pamela Anderson urges President Thabo Mbeki to intervene in securing the release of 14 juvenile elephants, and pleads that the abusers be brought to justice. NEWS24   Way to go Pammy!!!!!

21 July: Ghiazza blames NSPCA and the media for the outcry against the abuse at his farm - in fact, blames everyone except himself! He describes Saunders's property as "a wonderful place" (Yeah right - like we would believe him!) Ghiazza strongly criticised the allegations of animal abuse. "The animals are my assets. I will suffer financially if the animals are injured or mistreated." see NEWS24

19 July: As reported today in the Citizen, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa called on South African lawmakers to overhaul legislation to prevent a situation like the Tuli babies from happening again. Mr. Holomisa called on the environmental portfolio committee in the National Assembly to hold public hearings and truly listen to those outraged by the treatment of the Tuli elephants. "South Africa's wildlife policies must not be dictated by the few who profit from their captivity, but by the many who revere and respect our wildlife for its inherent value," Holomisa said in a statement. Article. Bravo Mr. Holomisa!!

18 July: Carte Blanche reports that Sandhurst - where 9 of the original 30 Tuli elephants are - is a facility offering "Elephant Hunt Safaris". In the same program the NSPCA was reported as saying "Splitting up the 'Tuli 14' is non-negotiable and they must go back to the bush." Craig Saunders still maintains he had no knowledge of the abuse, but in a letter handed to protestors outside his farm, refers to "desperate measures" he wanted to take 2 months' ago to get all 14 out of the training program.

18 July: In a multi million rand industry, where wild animals are nothing but "valuable commodities", some farmers avoided the high cost of tranquillisers by force-feeding antelope whisky to calm them for the road trip from game auctions. Full article about this cruel money-oriented industry.

16 July: No decision on IF Ghiazza and AGS will face charges over the elephant abuse??????? How can they not be prosecuted!! See NEWS24 for details and let's make so that they will be prosecuted.

16 July: Three sites shortlisted for the remaining 9 - details not released, but the intention is still to PAY Ghiazza! Our elephants must not fill AGS's pockets! The trust funds must be used purely for the good of the elephants, and that does not include filling Ghiazza's bank account.

15 July: Rhino Foundation Boss (McKenzie) quite over Tuli Elephant saga

13 July 23:10: 5 of our Tuli babies to go to an education park???? Read all about this development!!!

13 July 13:05: Another two trainers of AGS were arrested and released on bail of R2000.00 each.

11 July 21:15: "Hang the Bastards, free the elephants" was the sentiment on many posters at the protest by more than 7000 people at AGS farm today. In an interview in News Hour a spokesman for the WWF said they were in negotiations with AGS to buy the elephants from them, with a starting bid of R1.00 per animal. There in mounting concern against the resell of the elephant into Zoos or similar institutes. "We want our elephants to be free and back in the wild where they belong" is the general feeling. AGS must NOT benefit financially in any way for what they have done.

11 July 13:55: In a protest that started peacefully, thousands gather outside the gates of African Game Services to protest against the brutal treatment of 14 young Tuli elephant - but emotions did run high! Full story

10 July 22:15: Our ellies are bored!! How wonderful *smile*. Now they just need some entertainment. Please read this and help if you can.

10 July 19:00: Information from a very reliable source (not released to the press yet) revealed the following:  "The Judge in the court case said that he will not over rule the 1st judge. Ricardo is currently using the legal system and the animals will not be released unless they are purchased for the amount of 2 million rand."
Now, the fund set up by Dr Ivan May, has enough funds, and they put the offer in, but then the ellies will go to a zoo! That's no use. According to my source the NSPCA has currently over R600 000-00 and are in need of another R1.4 million to be able to release them into the wild / reserves! Please see how you can assist in pushing the NSPCA fund.

10 July (report from NEWS24):  And the latest story: World Wide Fund plans to buy Tuli elephants. In Pretoria The South Africa World Wide Fund for Nature on Friday said it planned to buy nine of the 14 elephants that had allegedly been mistreated on a plot outside Brits.
"We will enter into negotiations with African Game Services (the owner of the animals) to buy nine of the elephants," WWF chief executive officer Rob Little told reporters in Pretoria.

See the full story on WWF NEWS24 - 7x24 news reporting!

09 July (close to midnight): SABC said in their late night news bulletin: 'Jo'burg Zoo 'to take charge of Tuli elephants'. Johannesburg Zoo's management and the Committee for the Welfare of Elephants (CWE) are to take over the handling of the 14 young Tuli elephants at African Game Services' premises near Brits. A lawyer for AGS owner Riccardo Ghiazza had agreed in a letter to allow the zoo staff to take over managing the animals. The zoo's management approach would be a hands-off policy. No training or mahout-guided walks would be allowed, the elephants would not be chained and people would be allowed into their paddock only at the discretion of zoo staff. Zoo staff would be on the property for about three weeks until alternative accommodation could be found for the elephants.

See the full story on ZOO NEWS24 - 7x24 news reporting!

09 July 22:35: Minister Valli Moosa said, at a meeting earlier tonight, that this issue has to be dealt with a.s.a.p. and that the wwf are buying the remaining elephants. At last! Someone in power and with the power to make something good happen!

09 July 19:15: The NSPCA failed in  an urgent court application for the removal of the remaining elephants at AGS. The applicant (NSPCA) has been struck off the role with costs on a ruling by Pretoria High Court Judge Fanie Mynhardt. Mynhardt told Mr. Roestorf (NSPCA's lawyer) they should have applied to remove the elephants when the "ALLEGED" (geez, doesn't the man have a TV set?????) abuse started, accusing them (NSPCA) for "trying to save face" after the Carte Blanche broadcast. - So AGAIN the courts are failing our elephants........See the face of the BEAST , who's smuggling activities are under investigation ... More about the smuggling probe..

  09 July 17:10: I got this from Sherryn Thompson: The NSPCA lost their case today in court - judge said the removal of elephants was not urgent!

Read more here. And the courts have been against the ellies for a long time....

  09 July 17:00: The two Mamouts were released on bail of R2000.00 each. The court case has been postponed till 23 July, according to a news broadcast at 17:00.

09 July 08:35: "Elephant Owner Ghiazza an Animal Smuggler" - details at Smuggler NEWS24.

09 July 06:00: SABCTV2 reports that R600,000.00 was by IFAW to rescue our elephants!!! Donation confirmed in the Pretoria News. The money is to be used in the transport and relocation of the elephant when they are taken away from AGS.

08 July + 20:00: On the 50/50 program it was stated (in a very good and sometimes heated debate!) that the attorney General will now AT LONG LAST make a hearing (or whatever the legal term is) on the case against African Game Services. This should be completed by the end of this week, or early next week. Let's keep up the pressure if this does not happen.

08 July 16:45: Clive reported that the Sunday Times is at the farm right now! St Giles are trying to arrange to attend the BIG protest on Sunday 11 July. Way to go everyone!

08 July 14:20: The report of Ghiazza asking the NSPCA is unfortunately NOT true. Misleading information was supplied by a woman who's name I will (at this stage) not reveal. Any more misleading stuff from that particular source, and I will make the name known!!!! Of course you can just check the postings in the Carte Blanche forum (dated July 8 14:01:30 and onwards to get the name *s*)

08 July 13:00: A comment made on Radio 5 (5FM) claimed that African Games Services now wants the elephants removed from the facility. Whether this is actually true has NOT been confirmed. Will keep you posted as info becomes available.

08 July 12:45: The Mahouts are being deported!!!! Listen on 702 for on-going updates - thanks Nicollette :)