The True Green Alliance is the latest organization to express concern about the loss of wildlife, particularly elephants, at Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West.
The NSPCA said on Thursday, according to the management of Madikwe, elephant deaths have increased exponentially since August 2024, and with an estimated 1600 elephants on the reserve.
NSPCA said it inspected the facility, and while flying over the area, saw dead animals.
The team found 2 dead elephants, were humanely euthanized, due to their poor condition.Two white rhinos were seen from the air, also in a poor condition.
NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit Manager, Chief Inspector Douglas Wolhuter, said the reserve management “observed the suffering unfold before them and did nothing.”
He also observed overgrazing and lack of vegetation appeared to be affecting predominantly browsers.
The NSPCA said it has inspected over 70% of the reserve, mostly on the ground in vehicles to thoroughly assess the situation.
“It is important to realise that this is not ‘nature’ or ‘nature’s way, as this is a man-made disaster, with years of inaction addressing the overpopulation and lack of vegetation, and increasing bush encroachment” said Wolhuter.
He said animals are trapped within the fences of Madikwe with no source of nutrition.