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6/6/08: Stop South African Elephant Cull
EMAIL kinshipcircle@accessus.net FOR WORD DOC OF A FORMATTED LETTER.
Easily modify letter and copy/paste it into an email or print out to fax or mail.
 
http://www.animalrightsafrica.org/EleMyths.php
IF WE DON'T STOP THEM, THEY'LL MURDER THIS MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN...
And thousands more like them. Once again, the ivory and hunting industries
have convinced the South African government to allow slaughter of elephants
in the name of "culling," a euphemism for mass murder of intelligent and
social beings. The Big Lies told over and over again must be exposed...

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FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Sample letter follows.
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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

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

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

SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSIES IN OTHER NATIONS:
http://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

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

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SAMPLE LETTER --  This letter is prepared to inform you about the issue.
Try to shorten and personalize your letter before sending.
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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 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,

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SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
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Stop the Culling of Elephants in South Africa
   http://www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1527&more=1
HELP STOP SOUTH AFRICA'S UNJUST WAR ON ELEPHANTS
   http://www.animalrightsafrica.org/EleMyths.php
Put An End To Elephant Culling In South Africa
   http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ElephantCulling/

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