Meerendal retracts application for elephants

© Fotolia.com

There has been strong opposition to the proposed facility from the outset when the plans came to light; especially as the projected use of the elephants was for entertainment in the form of elephant back safaris, elephant interactions and the use of elephants to crush grapes to make a novelty wine.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) and the SPCA Cape of Good Hope have been vocal in their opposition of this, and formal opposition was submitted to Cape Nature, the permit-issuing authority, by the NSPCA and other animal welfare groups, as well as concerted public pressure.

The NSPCA's stance is that such activities play no part in ethical tourism and have no conservation or welfare benefit for the animals.