NSPCA Raises Alarm Over Elephant Transport Accident
In a shocking incident on Tuesday, March 5, 2025, four elephants were trapped inside an overturned truck on Olifantskop Pass in the Eastern Cape. The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has voiced concerns over the animals’ transport, alleging that the elephants were being moved for potential hunting purposes.
ELEPHANTS EN ROUTE TO PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
According to the NSPCA, the elephants were reportedly being relocated from a South African National Parks (SANParks) reserve to the Samara Karoo Private Game Reserve near Graaff-Reinet. The animal welfare organization suspects that the transfer may be linked to the illegal hunting trade.
The truck accident allegedly occurred due to a “shift in weight” while transporting the animals. The elephants remained trapped in the overturned vehicle for hours before being rescued by a specialized team. Fortunately, no visible injuries were reported.
NSPCA QUESTIONS MOTIVES BEHIND RELOCATION
The NSPCA expressed scepticism about the move, questioning why state-owned wildlife was being “donated” to a private reserve. The organization stated:
“It would be interesting to know why the elephants, which the government would term ‘assets,’ are being donated to a private game reserve. The NSPCA already has enough concerns and problems about elephants in private game reserves as it stands.”
The allegations suggest that the transfer could be linked to unethical hunting practices, a claim that Samara Karoo Reserve strongly denies.
SAMARA KAROO RESERVE DENIES HUNTING CLAIMS
Responding to the controversy, the Samara Karoo Reserve released a statement refuting the NSPCA’s claims. The private reserve emphasized that it is a conservation-focused operation and does not support hunting.
“It is categorically FALSE that Samara offers ‘hunting opportunities.’ Samara Karoo Reserve is a conservation undertaking committed to wildlife reintroduction and land restoration, funded by photographic tourism. We are NOT a hunting operation.”
According to the reserve, the elephants were being translocated from Addo Elephant National Park to expand available habitat and help manage the growing elephant population in the park.
SANPARKS CONFIRMS ELEPHANT DONATION
South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the elephants were indeed a “donation” to Samara Karoo Reserve. The reserve also stated that all necessary permissions had been granted for the translocation.
NO INJURIES REPORTED
Despite the accident, a team of wildlife specialists, veterinarians, and translocation experts successfully freed the elephants without injuries. The truck driver was also unharmed.
While Samara Karoo Reserve maintains that the transfer was legitimate, the NSPCA stands by its concerns and is calling for further investigation into the handling of wildlife donations and translocations.
