The original section of the park was founded in 1931,[1] in part due to the efforts of Sydney Skaife,[2] in order to provide a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants in the area. The park has proved to be very successful and currently houses more than 600 elephants and a large number of other mammals.
The flora within the AENP is quite varied, and like all plant life, is a central factor to the ecological system in place. Several species of rare and endemic plants, particularly succulent shrubs and geophytes are native to the South African region within the AENP. Many species are under environmental pressure, however, and are facing possible extinction.[3]
The park is home to more than 600 elephants, 400 Cape buffaloes, over 48 endangered south-western black rhinoceros'(Diceros bicornis occidentalis) as well as a variety of antelope species. Lion and spotted hyena have also recently been re-introduced to the area. The largest remaining population of the flightless dung beetle (Circellium bacchus) is located within the park.
Extinction and overpopulation
Two major environmental issues facing the AENP: extinction and overpopulation, which are interrelated. Since the AENP's original mission was to reintroduce certain megaherbivores, like the African bush elephant and eastern black rhinoceros,[4] primary ecological efforts were made to preserve mammalian species. However, by overlooking the other contributors to this environmental chain, certain plant species have been subjected to overgrazing and trampling,[5] mostly by the elephants of the park. This overgrazing and trampling not only destroys much of the plant life, but also forces it to adapt its physiology to stimuli[6] that are not inherent to its evolutionary progress. Some biologists argue that it is not herbivorization[7] alone that is threatening the flora, but a number of other ecological factors including zoochory and nutrient cycling. Up to 77 species of South African endemic plant species have been listed as "vulnerable to elephant browsing."
In 2018 the highest visitor count in the park's 87-year history was recorded. The park received 305,510[10] visitors between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018 (up from 265,585 in the previous year).[11] International visitors make up 55% of this number, with German, Dutch and British nationals in the majority.[12]
There is a main camp, featuring a swimming pool, restaurant, flood lit water hole and various accommodation, four other rest camps and four camps run by concessionaires. The main entrance as well as two looped tourist roads in the park are tarred while the others are graveled. There is also an additional access road through the southern block of the park feeding off the N2 highway near Colchester; it joins up with the existing tourist roads in the park.[citation needed]
^Landman, M. "Relevance of elephant herbivory as a threat to Important Plants in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa," Journal of Zoology 2008, p.51-58
^Kerley, Graham. "The impacts of elephants on biodiversity in the Eastern Cape Subtropical Thickets," South African Journal of Science 2006, p.395-402
^Marris, Emma. "Africa conservation: making room," Nature 2008, p.860-863
^Knight, M.H. "Evaluating herbivore extinction probabilities in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa," African Zoology 2006, p.13
^Sink, K.; Harris, J.; Lombard, A. (October 2004). Appendix 1. South African marine bioregions(PDF). South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Technical Report Vol. 4 Marine Component DRAFT (Report). pp. 97–109.
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![Male lion[13]](File:Male_lion_(Addo).JPG)
