Communities in far north of KZN warned of change in elephant migration
An unusual change in the elephant migration pattern has potentially put some communities in the far north of KZN in the path of danger.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's Musa Mntambo has warned those living around the Ndumo Game Reserve at the province's border with Mozambique to stay vigilant and report any sightings of the pachyderms.
"As a departure from the norm, the elephants have recently started to enter South Africa via the northern boundary of Ndumo Game reserve, which is not, as opposed to Tembe Elephant Park, a suitable elephant habitat reserve."
"Ndumo parameter fencing was not designed to keep elephants within it. The consequence of this is that elephants transverse easily, through Ndumo Game Reserve and down the south and east of the reserve into South Africa's community land, causing damage to property and crops."
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Authorities are warning there's a high probability of severe injury or even death if there's any human interaction.
Mntambo says five elephants have already been put down due to the extreme risk posed to life after wandering out of the southern boundary into the community.
He says Ezemvelo has been observing the movement into the reserve over the past seven days.
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