South Africa has lifted a 13-year ban on elephant culling.

Once on the verge of extinction in some parts of South Africa, elephant numbers in that country have recently grown at a rate of more than 5 percent a year.

Conservationists warn the removal of the ban could increase global demand for ivory and threaten dwindling elephant populations elsewhere on the continent.

The environmental group WildlifeDirect said Thursday that 14 elephants have been killed in eastern Congo’s Virunga National Park since April 14 by militias, army units and villagers.