Tag Archives: elephant edutainment

Elephant Abuse Update: Interview with Knysna Elephant Park

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The heart of the story should firmly be the welfare of South Africa’s elephants. However, right now, whilst opposing sides yell across zero middle ground, there is the issue of why a 2008 incident of animal abuse rears it’s ugly head now, 6 years later. There must be punishment but motive (rather than justice) has sent this story in different directions on social media. Hopefully, when all blogs are added together, this story will contain one direction. It has been stated by the Knysna Elephant Park (KEP) that photos and … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Elephant Abuse Update: Interview with Greg Vogt

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Greg Vogt was the manager of the Knysna Elephant Park (KEP) for 7 years. As the elephant abuse story has 2 sides, so does Greg. On one hand, he admits that there were things happening at Knysna Elephant Park that he wasn’t happy with yet doesn’t accept any blame despite having been a well-paid manager (his wife was also employed by KEP and the family stayed on the property). On the other, he’s been actively involved in elephant studies of obvious benefit to conservation and, especially, elephants. This has happened … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Madness of the Elephant Abuse Story

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The alleged abuse of elephants at Elephants of Eden (EOE), which was owned by Knysna Elephant Park (KEP), has shone a massive light on the elephant edutainment industry of South Africa. There is anger, hysteria, name-calling and finger-pointing. And the media has lapped it up like a pet elephant at a drinking hole. Although the current scandal festers in my backwaters, I initially refrained from blogging about it as there were insufficient facts on the ground. However, when international media got the story hopelessly wrong, I published a precursor, ‘Were … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!