Informante: Niël Terblanché

SOME residents of the Rossmund golf estate are eager to keep the young elephant bull that came back to the coast for a second time since Chritsmas Eve in the Swakop River in their midst.
Since officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism shepherded the elephant back to the Swakop River on Sunday the elephant has found a temporary home in the wetlands a few hundred metres from houses on the estate.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda confirmed on Monday afternoon that the elephant is still in the Swakop River and that a decision has been taken to allow it to stay there while it is closely monitored by officials.
“There is sufficient vegetation for the animal to feed on and plenty of water. Perhaps it will do well in the Swakop River,” Muyunda said.
According to Muyunda the elephant has been peaceful since reaching the wetlands of the Swakop River and he said it is the MET’s intention to assist the animal to find a home.
“We appeal to people to stay away from the area to allow the elephant to settle in. People should avoid aggravating the elephant. We will monitor the elephant continuously and react as the situation dictates. For now the elephant is in its new home.”
Most of the residents at the estate and other coastal towns welcomed the news that the elephant will be allowed to stay in the river.
Some were worried that keeping a constant eye on the elephant will wear out the officials and even suggested that a petition should be drafted to inform authorities that the coastal towns welcome the elephant and that residents are willing to partake in safeguarding residents as well as the animal.

MET:

Swakopmund has a new resident!!

The Ministry has decided to let the young bull elephant currently in the swakop river to stay and possibly settle there.

The elephant has twice found it's way to the coastal town. It was first seen in the vicinities of Swakopmund in 2019 on Christmas eve.

The Ministry with other stakeholders managed to move it to Omaruru river where we believed it was going to thrive considering that there is good vegetation and water.

To further ensure its wellbeing, in January the elephant was fitted with a satellite collar to enable the Ministry to monitor its movements.

Recently, on Saturday, 08 February 2020, the elephant returned to the coast once again. The elephant went as far as Longbeach moving towards Walvisbay.

Our staff members have managed to move the elephant into Swakop river. The elephant has been very peaceful with no damages or signs of aggression reported.

We hope the elephant will find a home, settle and thrive. This is Namibia's Christmas gift and its wellbeing is our concern.

Coastal residents welcomes elephant in their midst (mit Video) www.facebook.com/inf...sts/2764953273571615

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Elefant fühlt sich zuhause: Dickhäuter soll nach Tiger Woods oder Ernie Els benannt werden www.az.com.na/nachri...-zuhause-2020-02-12/

...Der junge Elefantenbulle hat in der Nacht von Montag auf Dienstag den Golfplatz erkundet und sich an einem Baum ernährt und Wasser aus einem Schwimmbad getrunken. Außerdem ist er auch über das Grün des 8. Lochs gelaufen...

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Christmas elephant settles in (mit Video) www.facebook.com/inf...sts/2778213695578906

The Christmas elephant has taken a liking to the fairway to the eighth hole on the Rossmund Golf Course where he walks everyday to get to the water reservoirs for a drink of water.

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EHRA FB PAGE:

Today the EHRA team facilitated a PEACE Project presentation with the local residents of Rossmund Golf Course - where the 'Swakop elephant' is currently roaming. The talk focused on elephant safety and how to behave appropriately around elephants.

www.facebook.com/199...158272755783804/?d=n