IF ALL GOES to plan, Addo elephants will be strolling alongside the N2 freeway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown within two years. Interviewed at the official hand-over of the 2500 hectare of farmland needed to join the Addo Elephant National Park to the national road at Colchester, project co-ordinator Dr Michael Knight said there were plans to move a “small family herd” from Addo into the new area once it had been fenced. They will be joined by herds of buffalo, eland, kudu and other animals which were once abundant in the area. The purchase of the farmland – which borders on the N2 and close to the banks of the Sunday’s River – from the Pearson family is described by Knight as “one of the final pieces of the jigsaw” that will see the creation of a unique African park stretching 250 kilometres from Bird Island in Algoa Bay over the Zuurberg mountains to the Darlington Dam in the Karoo. Funds for the purchase of the farm Oliphant’s Plaat were donated by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The purchase price has not been made known. The farm is described by Knight as “prime elephant habitat,” which has been extremely well managed by the Pearson family and is one of the finest examples of valley bushveld left in the Eastern Cape. “We are delighted at the inclusion of this almost pristine elephant habitat into the new Addo park. All credit must go to the Pearsons for having the foresight to preserve the bush, and to the HSUS for recognising the importance of Addo,” said Knight. HSUS president and chief executive officer Paul Irwin was presented with copies of the title deeds of the farm at a function at the Addo National Elephant Park. During the function two adult bull elephant from the Kruger National Park were released into Addo. According to Knight, studies have shown that it has become necessary to add to the gene pool of the more than 300-strong Addo herd – which dwindled to just 11 after the park was proclaimed in 1931. He is confident that the introduction of the Kruger elephants – which are the same species as the Addo and Knysna herds – will be successful. Experience in other parks in South Africa has shown that the adult animals settle down more quickly than juveniles. There have been cases of young translocated elephants goring rhino and attacking cars. “Yes, there are risks, but the elephants will have radio collars and we will track their movements. If they prove to be a problem, we will remove them.” More Kruger bulls will be brought down to join the group that will be moved into Oliphant’s Plaat if the two new animals adapt well and are accepted into the Addo herds, according to Knight. “They will be a magnificent sight from the road, and will provide a huge tourism boost to the Nelson Mandela Metro. “During winter motorists could see whales playing in the sea off Blue Water Bay, and less than half an hour later be watching a herd of elephant walking alongside the same freeway – and that’s before they even go into the park!” Elephants will soon return to the mouth of the Sunday’s River and the beaches of Algoa Bay is his confident prediction. “Addo is taking control of the Woody Cape Reserve, which stretches all the way along the coast to near Colchester. All that is needed is for the elephant to be given access through the remaining tract of privately-owned land and they will move back into the areas they were last seen in over 100 years ago.” The area would also need to be fenced and a road bridge or culvert built to allow the animals to cross under the N2. “Addo has captured the imagination of environmentalists and lovers of the wild around the world. I am sure we will be able to raise the fund s we need to realise the dream of a park with the big seven – the rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, Southern Right whale and great white shark.”