| (1) | A method for the management of elephants that is not provided for, or that is not permissible, in terms of these Norms and Standards may nevertheless be performed, subject to the following conditions: |
| (a) | the performing of the method forms part of a scientific research project; and |
| (b) | the restricted activities that are necessary for the performing of the method, are carried out in compliance with paragraph 4(1)(a). |
| (2) | The research project contemplated in subparagraph (1)(a) must meet the following conditions: |
| (a) | the method must be aligned with the management objectives provided in the approved management plan in respect of the elephant population to which the research project relates; |
| (b) | the research project must have the aim of establishing the feasibility of including the method as a management intervention in these Norms and Standards; |
| (c) | the research project must conform to the guiding principles set out in paragraph 3; |
| (d) | a project proposal must be approved by— |
| (i) | the relevant issuing authority; and |
| (ii) | an Animal Ethics Committee, which may be— |
| (aa) | a Health Research Ethics Committee registered with the National Health Research Ethics Council, which has been established in terms of the National Health Act,2003 {Act No.61 of 2003); or |
| (bb) | an accredited Animal Ethics Committee of a research organisation or institution that conforms to the South African National Standard 10386: 2008 (as updated from time to time); |
prior to the commencement of the research project;
| (e) | the results of the research project are intended to be published in a scientific journal recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training for subsidy purposes; |
| (f) | the progress of the research project must be reported annually to the relevant issuing authority, and a copy of the research report must be provided to the issuing authority upon completion of the research project; and |
| (g) | the data of the research project must be stored in an appropriate data repository. |
