CONTACT INFORMATION • Print/Send This Letter

Mr. Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa
Private Bag X447, PRETORIA, 0001
ph: +27-012-310-3611, +27-021-465-7240
fax: +27-012-322-0082, +27-021-465-3216
email: ministry@deat.gov.za
SOURCE: www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/contacts/min/environment.htm

Mr. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, President
Private Bag X1000, PRETORIA, 0001
ph: +27-012-300-5200, +27-021-464-2100
fax: +27-012-323-8246, +27-021-461-2838
Mr. Mukoni Ratshitanga, Chief Director/Presidential Spokesperson: mukoni@po.gov.za
Mr. John Jeffery, Parliamentary Counsellor to the President: johnj@po.gov.za
Mr. Denzel Taylor, Spokesperson: denzel@po.gov.za
Mr. Thabang Chiloane, Chief Director: Communications: thabang@po.gov.za
Ms. Khosi Shange, Private Secretary: khosis@po.gov.za
SOURCE: www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/contacts/presidency.htm

South African Embassy in United States of America
HE Mr. Welile A.W. Nhlapo
3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW; Washington DC 20008
ph: 00-202-2232-4400
fax: 00-202-2265-1607 / 2244-9417 / 2966-5959
email: info@saembassy.org, vanheerdenm@foreign.gov.za
website: www.saembassy.org/

SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSIES IN OTHER NATIONS:
www.gcis.gov.za/gcis/directory.jsp?dir=6#cat9

South African Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma
Private Bag X152, PRETORIA, 0001
ph: +27-012-351-0002, +27-021-464-3700
fax: +27-012-323-1502, +27-021-465-6548
Private Secretary: somersn@foreign.gov.za
SOURCE: www.gcis.gov.za/gcis/directory.jsp? dir=6&cat=27&org=1171

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ALL SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:
www.gcis.gov.za/docs/directories/lists.htm

EMAIL BLOCK, all emails found for this alert:
ministry@deat.gov.za, mukoni@po.gov.za, johnj@po.gov.za, denzel@po.gov.za, thabang@po.gov.za, khosis@po.gov.za, info@saembassy.org, vanheerdenm@foreign.gov.za, somersn@foreign.gov.za

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SAMPLE LETTER • Print/Send This Letter

Honorable Officials Of South Africa:

I join the worldwide plea to South African authorities: Please remove culling as a "tool" in the National Norms and Standards for Elephant Management (NNSEM). Slaughter ought to be banned outright — not used to control elephant populations on private, provincial and national conservation grounds.

I was shocked to learn about South Africa's intent to overturn a 1994 moratorium on the mass killing of elephants. Acclaimed elephant specialists consider culling a temporary fix. The unnatural reduction of elephants may actually boost birth rates as survivors rebound with a primary focus on mating.

Moreover, female elephants often retain lifelong ties with mothers and males may remain in the herd until 10 to 15 years of age. The slaughter of individuals or families torments these socially complex, perceptive animals. Grief and suffering can harmfully impact herd members who are not killed.

I strongly urge South African authorities to integrate non-violent methods — such as range expansion, translocation, contraception — into long-range plans to ease the alleged overpopulation of elephants.

Please bear in mind a cull's influence on the current ivory trade ban. More dead elephants mean more stockpiled ivory and could result in demands to legally sell ivory. Many southern African countries feel a relaxed prohibition on ivory would instigate widespread poaching in at risk wild elephant populations.

I strongly object to the government-approved slaughter of elephants and respectfully ask South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, to rescind his decision.

Thank you,