Cite as:
Dickson P, Adams W M, 2009, "Science and uncertainty in South Africa’s elephant culling debate" Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 27(1) 110 – 123
Download citation data in RIS format

Science and uncertainty in South Africa’s elephant culling debate

Paul Dickson, William M Adams

Received 29 September 2007; in revised form 7 May 2008; published online 24 December 2008

Abstract. We analyse the debate about the culling of elephants in South Africa’s national parks. This pits the need to reduce elephant density and grazing pressure to prevent environmental damage against animal-welfare concerns about the killing of elephants. This complex debate is characterised by factual uncertainty and moral complexity. The procull storyline suggests that high elephant densities pose a risk to biodiversity. The anticull standpoint critiques this position as politically and economically motivated and lacking in adequate scientific support. Both procull and anticull positions draw on science as a source of authority, and on the precautionary principle as a framework for making decisions. They differ in their interpretation of the scientific evidence for serious impacts of high elephant densities, the relations between scientific, ethical, and economic arguments, and the way uncertainty and the idea of a precautionary approach are used. A decision to resume culling of elephants in South Africa was made in February 2008, but debate continues.

Restricted material:

 Full-text PDF size: 160 Kb

 References  66 references, 14 with DOI links ()

Your computer (IP address: 23.22.76.170) has not been recognised as being on a network authorised to view the full text or references of this article. If you are a member of a university library that has a subscription to the journal, please contact your serials librarian (subscriptions information).