Voortrekker the desert elephant: lest we forget
On the 25th June 2019, legendary Namibian desert elephant Voortrekker, pioneer of the Damaraland desert elephant population was shot. He was killed as a trophy, under the guise of being a problem animal.
The fiasco raged for months, but as with many relevant and urgent events in our world, like a morning mist over the Skeleton Coast, soon faded from the headlines. The dust has settled since then. Hence this blog post; to remind and to remember the tragic loss of this magnificent animal. And to speak out against the merits of elephant trophy hunting, to suggest that sentient beings like elephant cannot merely be regarded as dead wood. Its more complex than this.
About Voortrekker
Voortrekker was a true elephant patriarch, challenging our understandings of the value of older males in elephant society. He was personally responsible for leading family groups to the Ugab River in southern Damaraland making the Ugab/Huab systems perhaps the most viable desert elephant population in the world.
This remarkably gentle elephant was even revered by community members, this within a tough landscape of escalating human/elephant conflict. Like an elephant-diplomat his presence was a major role-player in establishing and maintaining a viable and potentially long term eco-tourism revenue stream within the conservancies of the region.
He was actually showing us the way if we had just taken a moment to realise it.
Another casualty of that day was man’s inability to associate Voortrekker with sustainable tourism value, community benefit, ecological integrity or a sense of wonder. Instead he was killed for short term greed, stupidity and consumptive madness. Instead he was killed under the banner of short term greed. RIP Sir Voortrekker … i apologise for what my kind has done
For me, all of this addresses one of the most crucial fallacies of elephant conservation, trophy hunting, and the notion of sustainable consumption: that older bulls have no value to elephant society and conservation, and can be hunted under the banner of ecological/commercial benefit. Voortrekker’s iconic passages to re-establish the Ugab River herds will forever be remembered, and his presence in the region provided hope. As the senator bull, his death was a tragedy for desert elephant conservation and a landscape of viability and possibility. He was, in reality, showing us how to do it.
The story
Many elephant have a story to tell, but Voortrekker’s is especially meaningful. It is one that not only transcends our contemporary understanding of elephant biology and behavior, but the captivating mystery of these magnificent animals too. A capacity that is unfortunately under-acknowledged by science, yet is crucial to elephant awareness.
His story goes something like this.
During the 1980’s, the turbulent war years of southern Africa that preceded Namibian independence, the desert elephant population was virtually wiped out. Conditions were lawless. Those who survived found refuge from the poacher’s guns deep within the remote and desolate gorges of Kaokaland in the north. As a result, the Ugab and Huab River systems, the southernmost ephemeral waterways of Damaraland were devoid of elephants for well over a decade.
Voortrekker, born on the Ugab River some 45 years ago, was one of the bulls to trek north during the conflict years. And in the early 2000’s he decided to return home, and began a relay of south-bound expeditions, penetrating deeper and deeper into the dry and uncertain landscape before commencing with an epic traverse through to the relative bounty of the Ugab. It was a marathon across arid plains and ancient craters that would ultimately redefine what we know of elephant endurance, intuition and behavior. Just how he navigated is anyone’s guess. And furthermore, as the conflict years coincided with a serious drought cycle, just how he knew he would find water (let alone where), is one of elegend’s most enduring mysteries.
But his ultimate legacy does not end there.
For over two successive summer seasons he returned north, returning each time to the Ugab with a small family unit in tow. A true elephant patriarch? These elephants are still resident in the region and have formed the nucleus of three distinct breeding herds, making the Ugab/Huab Rivers perhaps the most viable desert elephant habitats in the world. Voortrekker continues as one of the dominant bulls, a true legend of the Ugab. His ancestral knowledge has been passed down to a new generation of desert dwellers. What a legacy!
For me, all of this addresses one of the most crucial fallacies of elephant conservation, trophy hunting, and the notion of sustainable consumption: that older bulls have no value to an elephant community and can be hunted under the banner of ecological benefit.
This is a fundamental calamity.
And is precisely why Voortrekker’s story needs to be told to a wider audience. I invite you to share widely. Elephant, generally, are considered as a keystone of an ecological circuit, but THIS elephant could be considered as a keystone of elephant consciousness.
What happened?
Known to scientists, eco-tourism operators and local community members, there is not one documented case of Voortrekker threatening people or extensively damaging property. He was not a problem animal and was revered in the pro-elephant conservancies that fell within his home range. He seemed to intuitively know how to co-exist with the communities of the desert as he did with the landscape itself. These onservancies (Sorris Sorris, Tsiseb and Otjimoyo), who actually did what they could to prevent the hunt, and their reputable tourism operators need to be supported.
The site of the alleged damage (absolutely minimal it has to be said) within the responsible conservancy triggered the powers that be to sanction a shady problem animal hunt. I am not for one second suggesting that elephants are more important than people, but it is a known fact that corruption derailed the building of a tourist venture and a water reticulation system. Alternative forms of income, and an opportunity to manage elephant conflict, were therefore lost. This conflict, a perennial issue in this region, seems set to escalate with the drought conditions of 2019. Government support, should there be any chance of a pro-elephant outcome, was critical.
A paltry sum of of N$120 000.00 changed hands. Based on this, it’s estimated that the impoverished and drought stricken Omatjete community, desperate for government assistance, profited by N$20 each. How is this remotely logical to justify the hunt? Voortrekker was the figurehead of elephant based eco-tourism in the entire area, which is a sustainable long term revenue stream worth millions of N$ per annum.
The Namibian tourism industry subsequently lost over N$10 million in cancelled bookings, before the incident even reached mainstream media. Again, spare a thought for the pro-elephant conservancies and partners here.
He was in his prime, and within a herd of 25, there is now only one remaining breeding bull in southern Damaraland.
The great elephant was not only a pioneer in returning to the Ugab for his own kind, but also pioneered a historical partnership with ours. More and more local communities, the very support base of any conservation possibility in Africa, recognised the benefits of elephant-based ecotourism. This despite the possibility of conflict. The pro-elephant lobby, largely because of Voortrekker, was gaining momentum for the first time.
The elephant was actually showing us the way.
Chronicle of a tragedy
The fiasco raged for months, but like many relevant and urgent events in our world, but like a morning mist over the Skeleton Coast, soon faded from the headlines. The dust has settled since then. Hence this blog post; to remind and to remember the tragic loss of this magnificent animal. And to speak out against the merits of elephant trophy hunting, to suggest that sentient beings like elephant cannot merely be regarded as dead wood. Its more complex than this.
So, unpacking the relevant talking points of Voortrekkers killing which made no ecological, biological, financial, moral, communal, legal or logical sense, we find the following:
PART 1: The trophy hunting angle
Voortrekker was never known to be destructive to property or farmlands, and was in fact revered by the communities within his home range. He was the most viable breeding elephant bull in the country. In addressing the emotional rhetoric on social media, let’s attempt to unpack the various scenarios around Voortrekker’s death.
In hunting terms, old males past their prime are recognised as trophies. Weed out the weak to allow young bucks opportunity to ascend the genetic ladders. This logic is undeniably flawed and is irrelevant in elephant societies. What's more, Voortrekker was a breeding bull! Furthermore, the naiv
e model of a sustainable, fair chase, sport hunt, wherein all proceeds benefit the bigger picture did not exist. Trophy hunting operates on the premise that the trophy is worth more dead than alive, which in the case of Voortrekker is a calamitous comparison. Sure the community made some short term cash. And certainly the PH. But ultimately at what cost?
Therefore there was no trophy value in killing Voortrekker.
PART 2 : Negative impact of tourism boycotts
In the wake of the incomprehensible hunt there were precious few inklings of hope emerging from the desert. Everyone, quite rightly, was in a state of outrage. It’s clear that government and conservation policies need to change, which is essentially where public pressure should be focussed. However, amidst the storm, it is worth commending and supporting the pro-elephant conservancies at ground zero, who in understanding the value of elephant conservation, appealed to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to protect Voortrekker.
This is another example of the great elephant’s legacy. He forged a historical partnership with these communities.
Due to cancelled bookings, the Namibian tourism industry had lost millions of N$ in the few days since Voortrekker’s death. This reaction was inevitable. But there are many reputable eco-tourism operations and community conservancies who got caught in the fall out. They depended on tourism dollars, and are pro-conservation because of them. .
Therefore lets recognise this for what it is means: that Voortrekker did not die in vane.
PART 3: Desert adapted elephants
There are fewer than 200 desert adapted elephant in Namibia. These elephant typically frequent the most arid valleys and remote conditions, seldom if ever, venturing out towards the eastern plains. Unfortunately, generalized census figures do not reflect this. Their habits and behavior are far more specific than elephants elsewhere in the country, and there is talk within scientific circles of the merits of a sub-species. What can be sure is that they deserve special attention and should not be lumped with inland populations and those of Khaudom or Caprivi.
Voortrekker was the pathfinder for an isolated population on the Ugab River, southern Damaraland, consisting of 25 animals. He was one of only 2 breeding bulls remaining. This group have not successfully reared a calf for 5 years due to droughts and conflict related stress. Desert adapted elephant society, like their environment, is extreme, delicate and complex, and the futures of the herds here without Voortrekker’s patriarchal presence and guidance, is more of a concern than ever.
Extremely docile, he was never known to be aggressive toward people, and was much respected by many local people from the pro-elephant conservancies within his home range. He seemed to intuitively know how to co-exist with the communities of the desert as he did with the landscape itself. His and the Ugab herd’s known range limit was a long way from where the alleged damage and threat to human life occurred. This would suggest that he was not even there, let alone responsible.
Yet a bounty was sanctioned on Voortrekker’s head, based on being a problem animal
PART 4: The financial myth
The financial success of the Namibian conservancy models depends on viable and sustainable eco-tourism. Between the Brandberg and the Huab River, an area within Voortrekker’s home range, the majority of people are directly employed, directly benefit or indirectly benefit from eco-tourism. The conservancies here, largely because of Voortrekker’s influence, are increasingly pro-elephant and support the concept of co-existing with the herds.
Namibia is a specialised wildlife destination, with an alternative kind of attraction than say in Botswana or South Africa. While the desert landscape is mesmerising, elephants are the focus, and a marquee elephant such as Voortrekker is absolutely pivotal in this. In short, the local communities depend on tourism; tourism depends on elephants; and the elephants, ecologically and socially, depended on Voortrekker.
A paltry sum of some N$120k changed hands for Voortrekker’s bounty. Based on this, it’s estimated that the impoverished and drought stricken Omatjete community, desperate for government assistance, profited by a handful of dollars each. How is this remotely logical to justify the hunt? What actually did happen on the ground (and didn’t), and the chain of corruption behind it, is for another chapter. Elephant based eco-tourism in the area, of which Voortrekker was the figurehead, is a sustainable long term revenue stream worth millions of N$ per annum. It's necessary to repeat again here that Voortrekker was NOT responsible for the alleged damage that triggered it all. He was not even there.
Known all around the world as an iconic Namibian treasure, the bottom line is that he (as are all other desert elephants for that matter) was worth more alive than dead. It surely, unequivocally, cannot possibly be argued otherwise.
Therefore there was no financial logic in killing Voortrekker.
PART 5: the relevance of anthropomorphism
A conservative and outdated attitude toward elephant conservation and problem solving is one down the barrel of a gun. That Voortrekker had to 'pay his way' in order to be part of the landscape. There are folks who claim that elephants are not capable of sentient understanding, and that killing Voortrekker leaves no bitter moral or ethical aftertaste.
If you respectfully like to discover why Voortrekker’s sanction was wrong, then let’s make contact. If you are an elephant hunter, or endorse elephant hunting, then I invite you to track and stalk wild elephant: I can assure you of the thrill of the chase and the adrenalin, but the elephant will stay alive.
Then you can decide for yourself if elephant do not merit anthropomorphic understandings. If it does not transform you then so be it. But, if it does, then my challenge to you is to dedicate the rest of your life advocating elephant conservation in memory of Voortrekker.
Therefore the rhetoric around Voortrekker’s death, questioning and challenging our belief systems and morals toward our natural world, is relevant
On the 25th June 2019, legendary Namibian desert elephant Voortrekker, pioneer of the Damaraland desert elephant population was shot. He was killed as a trophy, under the guise of being a problem animal.
The fiasco raged for months, but as with many relevant and urgent events in our world, like a morning mist over the Skeleton Coast, soon faded from the headlines. The dust has settled since then. Hence this blog post; to remind and to remember the tragic loss of this magnificent animal. And to speak out against the merits of elephant trophy hunting, to suggest that sentient beings like elephant cannot merely be regarded as dead wood. Its more complex than this.
About Voortrekker
Voortrekker was a true elephant patriarch, challenging our understandings of the value of older males in elephant society. He was personally responsible for leading family groups to the Ugab River in southern Damaraland making the Ugab/Huab systems perhaps the most viable desert elephant population in the world.
This remarkably gentle elephant was even revered by community members, this within a tough landscape of escalating human/elephant conflict. Like an elephant-diplomat his presence was a major role-player in establishing and maintaining a viable and potentially long term eco-tourism revenue stream within the conservancies of the region.
He was actually showing us the way if we had just taken a moment to realise it.
Another casualty of that day was man’s inability to associate Voortrekker with sustainable tourism value, community benefit, ecological integrity or a sense of wonder. Instead he was killed for short term greed, stupidity and consumptive madness. Instead he was killed under the banner of short term greed. RIP Sir Voortrekker … i apologise for what my kind has done
For me, all of this addresses one of the most crucial fallacies of elephant conservation, trophy hunting, and the notion of sustainable consumption: that older bulls have no value to elephant society and conservation, and can be hunted under the banner of ecological/commercial benefit. Voortrekker’s iconic passages to re-establish the Ugab River herds will forever be remembered, and his presence in the region provided hope. As the senator bull, his death was a tragedy for desert elephant conservation and a landscape of viability and possibility. He was, in reality, showing us how to do it.
The story
Many elephant have a story to tell, but Voortrekker’s is especially meaningful. It is one that not only transcends our contemporary understanding of elephant biology and behavior, but the captivating mystery of these magnificent animals too. A capacity that is unfortunately under-acknowledged by science, yet is crucial to elephant awareness.
His story goes something like this.
During the 1980’s, the turbulent war years of southern Africa that preceded Namibian independence, the desert elephant population was virtually wiped out. Conditions were lawless. Those who survived found refuge from the poacher’s guns deep within the remote and desolate gorges of Kaokaland in the north. As a result, the Ugab and Huab River systems, the southernmost ephemeral waterways of Damaraland were devoid of elephants for well over a decade.
Voortrekker, born on the Ugab River some 45 years ago, was one of the bulls to trek north during the conflict years. And in the early 2000’s he decided to return home, and began a relay of south-bound expeditions, penetrating deeper and deeper into the dry and uncertain landscape before commencing with an epic traverse through to the relative bounty of the Ugab. It was a marathon across arid plains and ancient craters that would ultimately redefine what we know of elephant endurance, intuition and behavior. Just how he navigated is anyone’s guess. And furthermore, as the conflict years coincided with a serious drought cycle, just how he knew he would find water (let alone where), is one of elegend’s most enduring mysteries.
But his ultimate legacy does not end there.
For over two successive summer seasons he returned north, returning each time to the Ugab with a small family unit in tow. A true elephant patriarch? These elephants are still resident in the region and have formed the nucleus of three distinct breeding herds, making the Ugab/Huab Rivers perhaps the most viable desert elephant habitats in the world. Voortrekker continues as one of the dominant bulls, a true legend of the Ugab. His ancestral knowledge has been passed down to a new generation of desert dwellers. What a legacy!
For me, all of this addresses one of the most crucial fallacies of elephant conservation, trophy hunting, and the notion of sustainable consumption: that older bulls have no value to an elephant community and can be hunted under the banner of ecological benefit.
This is a fundamental calamity.
And is precisely why Voortrekker’s story needs to be told to a wider audience. I invite you to share widely. Elephant, generally, are considered as a keystone of an ecological circuit, but THIS elephant could be considered as a keystone of elephant consciousness.
What happened?
Known to scientists, eco-tourism operators and local community members, there is not one documented case of Voortrekker threatening people or extensively damaging property. He was not a problem animal and was revered in the pro-elephant conservancies that fell within his home range. He seemed to intuitively know how to co-exist with the communities of the desert as he did with the landscape itself. These onservancies (Sorris Sorris, Tsiseb and Otjimoyo), who actually did what they could to prevent the hunt, and their reputable tourism operators need to be supported.
The site of the alleged damage (absolutely minimal it has to be said) within the responsible conservancy triggered the powers that be to sanction a shady problem animal hunt. I am not for one second suggesting that elephants are more important than people, but it is a known fact that corruption derailed the building of a tourist venture and a water reticulation system. Alternative forms of income, and an opportunity to manage elephant conflict, were therefore lost. This conflict, a perennial issue in this region, seems set to escalate with the drought conditions of 2019. Government support, should there be any chance of a pro-elephant outcome, was critical.
A paltry sum of of N$120 000.00 changed hands. Based on this, it’s estimated that the impoverished and drought stricken Omatjete community, desperate for government assistance, profited by N$20 each. How is this remotely logical to justify the hunt? Voortrekker was the figurehead of elephant based eco-tourism in the entire area, which is a sustainable long term revenue stream worth millions of N$ per annum.
The Namibian tourism industry subsequently lost over N$10 million in cancelled bookings, before the incident even reached mainstream media. Again, spare a thought for the pro-elephant conservancies and partners here.
He was in his prime, and within a herd of 25, there is now only one remaining breeding bull in southern Damaraland.
The great elephant was not only a pioneer in returning to the Ugab for his own kind, but also pioneered a historical partnership with ours. More and more local communities, the very support base of any conservation possibility in Africa, recognised the benefits of elephant-based ecotourism. This despite the possibility of conflict. The pro-elephant lobby, largely because of Voortrekker, was gaining momentum for the first time.
The elephant was actually showing us the way.
Chronicle of a tragedy
The fiasco raged for months, but like many relevant and urgent events in our world, but like a morning mist over the Skeleton Coast, soon faded from the headlines. The dust has settled since then. Hence this blog post; to remind and to remember the tragic loss of this magnificent animal. And to speak out against the merits of elephant trophy hunting, to suggest that sentient beings like elephant cannot merely be regarded as dead wood. Its more complex than this.
So, unpacking the relevant talking points of Voortrekkers killing which made no ecological, biological, financial, moral, communal, legal or logical sense, we find the following:
PART 1: The trophy hunting angle
Voortrekker was never known to be destructive to property or farmlands, and was in fact revered by the communities within his home range. He was the most viable breeding elephant bull in the country. In addressing the emotional rhetoric on social media, let’s attempt to unpack the various scenarios around Voortrekker’s death.
In hunting terms, old males past their prime are recognised as trophies. Weed out the weak to allow young bucks opportunity to ascend the genetic ladders. This logic is undeniably flawed and is irrelevant in elephant societies. What's more, Voortrekker was a breeding bull! Furthermore, the naiv
e model of a sustainable, fair chase, sport hunt, wherein all proceeds benefit the bigger picture did not exist. Trophy hunting operates on the premise that the trophy is worth more dead than alive, which in the case of Voortrekker is a calamitous comparison. Sure the community made some short term cash. And certainly the PH. But ultimately at what cost?
Therefore there was no trophy value in killing Voortrekker.
PART 2 : Negative impact of tourism boycotts
In the wake of the incomprehensible hunt there were precious few inklings of hope emerging from the desert. Everyone, quite rightly, was in a state of outrage. It’s clear that government and conservation policies need to change, which is essentially where public pressure should be focussed. However, amidst the storm, it is worth commending and supporting the pro-elephant conservancies at ground zero, who in understanding the value of elephant conservation, appealed to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to protect Voortrekker.
This is another example of the great elephant’s legacy. He forged a historical partnership with these communities.
Due to cancelled bookings, the Namibian tourism industry had lost millions of N$ in the few days since Voortrekker’s death. This reaction was inevitable. But there are many reputable eco-tourism operations and community conservancies who got caught in the fall out. They depended on tourism dollars, and are pro-conservation because of them. .
Therefore lets recognise this for what it is means: that Voortrekker did not die in vane.
PART 3: Desert adapted elephants
There are fewer than 200 desert adapted elephant in Namibia. These elephant typically frequent the most arid valleys and remote conditions, seldom if ever, venturing out towards the eastern plains. Unfortunately, generalized census figures do not reflect this. Their habits and behavior are far more specific than elephants elsewhere in the country, and there is talk within scientific circles of the merits of a sub-species. What can be sure is that they deserve special attention and should not be lumped with inland populations and those of Khaudom or Caprivi.
Voortrekker was the pathfinder for an isolated population on the Ugab River, southern Damaraland, consisting of 25 animals. He was one of only 2 breeding bulls remaining. This group have not successfully reared a calf for 5 years due to droughts and conflict related stress. Desert adapted elephant society, like their environment, is extreme, delicate and complex, and the futures of the herds here without Voortrekker’s patriarchal presence and guidance, is more of a concern than ever.
Extremely docile, he was never known to be aggressive toward people, and was much respected by many local people from the pro-elephant conservancies within his home range. He seemed to intuitively know how to co-exist with the communities of the desert as he did with the landscape itself. His and the Ugab herd’s known range limit was a long way from where the alleged damage and threat to human life occurred. This would suggest that he was not even there, let alone responsible.
Yet a bounty was sanctioned on Voortrekker’s head, based on being a problem animal
PART 4: The financial myth
The financial success of the Namibian conservancy models depends on viable and sustainable eco-tourism. Between the Brandberg and the Huab River, an area within Voortrekker’s home range, the majority of people are directly employed, directly benefit or indirectly benefit from eco-tourism. The conservancies here, largely because of Voortrekker’s influence, are increasingly pro-elephant and support the concept of co-existing with the herds.
Namibia is a specialised wildlife destination, with an alternative kind of attraction than say in Botswana or South Africa. While the desert landscape is mesmerising, elephants are the focus, and a marquee elephant such as Voortrekker is absolutely pivotal in this. In short, the local communities depend on tourism; tourism depends on elephants; and the elephants, ecologically and socially, depended on Voortrekker.
A paltry sum of some N$120k changed hands for Voortrekker’s bounty. Based on this, it’s estimated that the impoverished and drought stricken Omatjete community, desperate for government assistance, profited by a handful of dollars each. How is this remotely logical to justify the hunt? What actually did happen on the ground (and didn’t), and the chain of corruption behind it, is for another chapter. Elephant based eco-tourism in the area, of which Voortrekker was the figurehead, is a sustainable long term revenue stream worth millions of N$ per annum. It's necessary to repeat again here that Voortrekker was NOT responsible for the alleged damage that triggered it all. He was not even there.
Known all around the world as an iconic Namibian treasure, the bottom line is that he (as are all other desert elephants for that matter) was worth more alive than dead. It surely, unequivocally, cannot possibly be argued otherwise.
Therefore there was no financial logic in killing Voortrekker.
PART 5: the relevance of anthropomorphism
A conservative and outdated attitude toward elephant conservation and problem solving is one down the barrel of a gun. That Voortrekker had to 'pay his way' in order to be part of the landscape. There are folks who claim that elephants are not capable of sentient understanding, and that killing Voortrekker leaves no bitter moral or ethical aftertaste.
If you respectfully like to discover why Voortrekker’s sanction was wrong, then let’s make contact. If you are an elephant hunter, or endorse elephant hunting, then I invite you to track and stalk wild elephant: I can assure you of the thrill of the chase and the adrenalin, but the elephant will stay alive.
Then you can decide for yourself if elephant do not merit anthropomorphic understandings. If it does not transform you then so be it. But, if it does, then my challenge to you is to dedicate the rest of your life advocating elephant conservation in memory of Voortrekker.
Therefore the rhetoric around Voortrekker’s death, questioning and challenging our belief systems and morals toward our natural world, is relevant