Death and Despair at the Madikwe Game Reserve
HEARTBREAKING AND SHOCKING
We have received another devastating report of a mother elephant that has allegedly succumbed to starvation near the Vleisfontein Management Center, located in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve. Tragically, her calf remains by her side, abandoned by the herd. Without intervention, this juvenile is unlikely to survive and risks meeting the same fate.
Additionally, we’ve received reports of two other elephants in critical condition that may need to be euthanized. One is located near Madikwe Hills Skelm Pad, and the other near Phofu Dam.
It is heartbreaking to think that the mother, likely driven by desperation, perished of starvation so close to the green grass enclosed within the fenced Vleisfontein Management Center.
Please see the video below for more details:
Is this the wildlife management we want?
NO DROUGHT IN MADIKWE
The video footage reveals lush, green grass behind internal fences at the Vleisfontein Management Center, located in the middle of the Madikwe Game Reserve. This clearly indicates there is no drought issue in the reserve.
Yet, within the reserve itself, vegetation has been almost entirely stripped away—a direct consequence of unchecked elephant overpopulation, which is devastating their own habitat.
POOR MANAGEMENT
Madikwe Game Reserve is on the brink of ecological collapse, facing devastating losses of both wildlife and biodiversity.
The primary cause? Overpopulation of herbivores, particularly in excess of 1600 elephants.
Words alone cannot convey the gravity of this situation.
About Madikwe Game Reserve
Despite its current crisis, Madikwe remains one of South Africa’s most popular game reserves, known for:
• Big Five Safari: A malaria-free destination offering opportunities to see lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos.
• Exclusive Luxury: Renowned for high-end lodges catering to travelers seeking a premium safari experience.
• Biodiversity: Home to over 60 species of mammals and 300 bird species.
• Accessibility: Located near the Botswana border, it is a 4-5 hour drive or a short flight from Johannesburg.
Take a moment to watch the video filmed this today, Sunday morning, December 8, 2024, to see the heartbreaking impact of poor management.
Call to Action
Watch the heartbreaking footage filmed this morning, December 8, 2024, to witness the dire impact of mismanagement. It’s time to demand better wildlife and habitat conservation in Madikwe Game Reserve and beyond.
Help us to help them.
The TGA (the True Green Alliance) and SUCo-SA (Sustainable Use Coalition Southern Africa) already reported this tragic incident to the NSPCA. We remain committed and ready to work alongside the NSPCA to find a resolution to this dire situation.
The TGA was the initial whistleblower that alerted the NSPCA to this tragedy in November 2024.
Do you care about elephants in distress?
Please support SUCo-SA in its urgent efforts to bring relief to the suffering elephants of Madikwe Game Reserve.
