Scientists at SA National Parks have confirmed the presence of a female elephant roaming the Knysna forest.
According to SANParks scientist, Lizette Moolman, the Knysna elephant is of the same subspecies as all the other elephant populations in South Africa, namely Loxodonta Africana.
She said their latest survey used camera trap technology which covered the whole elephant range in the forest.
“The cameras were all active for 15 months, and during this time the same female elephant was identified in 140 capture events, always by herself. No other elephants were photographically captured,” Moolman said.
She said the elephant is “about 45 years old and moves in the indigenous forest and fynbos areas on SANParks and neighbouring private land”.
Garden Route National Park Manager, Paddy Gordon, said that the camera traps have also assisted SANParks management to understand who else lives in the forest.
(Pic: Supplied)
