In early 2026, EKZN Wildlife published proposals to remove 1,050 (subsequently increased to 1,220) elephants from five protected areas due to perceived overpopulation above carrying capacities (CC), causing biodiversity loss, noting that culling would be necessary if suitable sites for relocation could not be found. It is widely accepted that there are no such sites. The elephant situation is being portrayed as a crisis requiring urgent and extreme solutions however, there is little evidence for this. 

See: EKZN Wildlife – Elephant Fact Sheet