A rare sighting of Oupoot, the last known elephant of the Knysna forest, has sparked excitement and prompted a conservation response.
The footage, captured by Karatara farmer Oubaas Fourie late last week, shows the elusive female elephant calmly traversing farmland near the forest.
Oupoot is named after the beloved character in Dalene Matthee’s novel ‘Kringe in ‘n Bos.’
The video quickly went viral, drawing national attention due to Oupoot’s near-mythical status in the region.
SANParks confirmed it is aware of the footage and is working to verify the sighting.
“We are in contact with our rangers in the area to confirm whether it is indeed Oupoot roaming in Karatara, which is highly likely,” said Phokela “PK” Lebea, SANParks Regional Communications Manager.
Sole survivor
Oupoot is believed to be the sole surviving member of the once-thriving Knysna elephant population, which declined over decades due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and hunting.
The elephants once roamed freely in the forested areas of the Garden Route, but sightings have become extremely rare in recent years.
SANParks is currently conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to guide future decisions about the elephant’s protection.
“We remain committed to ensuring that any decision taken is informed by sound scientific, conservation, and stakeholder considerations,” Lebea added.
Where is Karatara?
Karatara is a town in the Knysna Local Municipality in the Western Cape province. It is situated 5km west of Barrington and some 40km northwest of Knysna.
Think the last remaining Knysna elephant is safe or should it be relocated?
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