National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004)RegulationsNational Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa, 2023 - effective 1 April 2023Chapter 2 : General Management of ElephantsPart 4 : Elephants in controlled environments23. Keeping elephants in captivity |
| (1) | An elephant may be kept in a controlled environment, only if— |
| (a) | it was already permitted to be kept in a controlled environment on the date that the repealed Norms and Standards came into effect; or |
| (b) | it was conceived naturally and born in a controlled environment to captive elephants as per the approved management plan. |
| (2) | A captive elephant may not be kept or handled without— |
| (a) | the elephant being fitted with two permanent internal microchips or transponders; one to be inserted at the base of the tailand one in front of the left shoulder; and |
| (b) | a system of identikits for the elephant. |
| (3) | The responsible person in respect of the keeping of a captive elephant must— |
| (a) | submit the serial numbers of the microchips or transponders referred to in subparagraph (2)(a) to the issuing authority, within 5 working days of inserting the microchips or transponders;and |
| (b) | update the system of identikits referred to in subparagraph (2)(b) of each elephant as changes in its tusks or ears occur, and must forward the photograph to the relevant issuing authority for incorporation into the national register, within 5 working days of the photograph being taken. |
| (4) | The keeping of an elephant in a controlled environment is subject to the following: |
| (a) | a team of trained handlers twice the size of the group of elephants kept in such controlled environment must be allocated exclusively for the care and handling of the captive elephants; and |
| (b) | a minimum of two trained handlers per elephant must be present when human interaction with such elephants occurs. |