On 29 May 2026, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published South Africa’s National Elephant Heritage Strategy (2026–2036) in the Government Gazette. The strategy is set to serve as the country’s National Elephant Action Plan in terms of the implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan and provides a framework for managing South Africa’s elephants as a collective national herd. It is intended to guide decision-making, policy development and management interventions while balancing conservation, cultural, economic and sustainable-use objectives.

Full report: National Elephant Heritage Strategy 2026-2036