Management Plan for Three African Elephants

Project Type:
Elephant Management Plan

Client:
Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve

Consultants:
Apex Conservation Services

Location: Near Ceres, Western Cape

Year: 2025

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Management Plan for Three African Elephants

1. Three African elephants at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve

Management Plan for Three African Elephants

2. Elephant boma that the elephants use for shelter at night

Management Plan for Three African Elephants

Summary:

Apex Conservation Services was contracted by Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve (IPGR) in 2025 to undertake a site survey and compile an Elephant Management Plan. IPGR has three African Elephant bulls. The elephant management plan outlines the approach that IPGR will adopt to continue to ensure the safety, physical health, mental stimulation, and welfare of their elephants.

The elephant management plan was compiled in compliance with national and provincial legislation, including:

  • National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004) (NEM:BA): The National Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa (2023)
  • The Fencing and Enclosure of Game and Predators in the Western Cape Province (2022).

Apex undertook a site survey to determine if the habitat assessment previously done for IPGR was still accurate and that the three elephants on the reserve were not exceeding the ecological keep. During the site visit, Apex also undertook a survey of the IPGR infrastructure, including fences, the elephant boma, and the food storage facilities, ensuring all infrastructure and facilities complied with the relevant legislation.

The elephant management plan compiled by Apex aims to guide IPGR on the management of the elephants. This plan aims to help IPGR ensure that the elephants are well provisioned for and safe. Further, it aims to ensure that risks to tourists, staff or neighbours are mitigated as best as possible to prevent damage or harm arising from the presence of these elephants. The elephant management plan also provides monitoring methods to identify changes to habitat conditions resulting from the impacts of elephants. A number of standard operating procedures were developed to guide IPGR during daily and emergency operations on the reserve.

The elephant management plan guides IPGR to sustainably manage the elephant and habitat on the reserve, preserve the safety of the animals and people, and to reach IPGR’s conservation goals.

This elephant management plan was submitted to and approved by CapeNature, the conservation authority in the Western Cape.