Durban — iSimangaliso Wetland Park has provided tips on how visitors and surrounding communities can approach and behave when near elephants in a vehicle.
The park also shared what visitors and communities should never do in this situation.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park spokesperson Bheki Manzini said: “Rather be safe than sorry. An elephant is a formidable giant. Respect them and their space.”
How to approach and behave near elephants when in a vehicle:
ALWAYS:
- Slow down as soon as you see elephants.
- Switch off the engine, sit quietly and enjoy the elephants.
- Keep an eye on both sides and the rear of the vehicle for approaching elephants.
- Make sure you can easily drive away from the sighting.
- Allow the elephants a clear path away from the area.
- Give the elephants space to move off the road before driving past them.
- Retreat slowly if the elephants are showing any signs of unease or mild threat.
- Drive away slowly and quietly if they continue to show any threatening behaviour.
- Give a bull in musth (evident by dark, oily secretions on either side of the head) lots of space (more than 50m); their testosterone levels make them short-tempered
- Reverse if a musth bull is in front of you; don’t drive past or let him walk towards you on the ground, throwing sand/ branches at you or trumpeting loudly) always play it safe and retreat.
NEVER:
- Rush up to the elephants.
- Drive closer than 50m to the nearest elephants.
- Park your car over any elephant footpaths leading off from the road.
- Box the elephants in when other vehicles are present.
- Cut off or block elephants from the direction they are walking.
- Drive or park between members of the elephant herd.
- Drive for extended periods when elephants are walking along the road.
- Rev the engine when elephants are present.
- Try to push elephants off the road.
- Speed past elephants or drive faster than elephants generally walk (6km/ hour).
- Drive off the road or leave your vehicle to get closer to elephants.
- Make any noises or fast, jerky movements to attract their attention.
- Hang out of windows or sunroofs around elephants.
Daily News