This species is listed as Vulnerable on the basis that this species is known from five locations (two of which have presumably been lost if, as suspected, this species exhibits an obligate association with elephants as these animals no longer survive at either, although data are insufficient to confirm this) with an extent of occurrence of 7,222 km² and there is an inferred continuing decline in the extent and quality of its woodland habitat in Tembe National Park, from which the majority of recent records have been taken.

This species is known only from deep sands within the coastal Maputaland centre of endemism, along the border of northeast Kwa-Zulu Natal (Republic of South Africa) and southeastern Mozambique (Davis et al. 2020). Within this area it has been recorded from Inhaca Island and Ponto do Ouro (Mozambique), from Tembe Elephant Reserve and the nearby Sileza Nature Reserve (South Africa) (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023), and with a southern range limit in St. Lucia (iNaturalist records, validated by C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2024). It is possible that it occurs in Maputo Special Reserve, just south of Inhaca Island (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023). Extensive surveys in the early 2000's failed to record it within this reserve, however it is unclear whether this represents a collecting artefact or a genuine absence (A. Davis pers. comm. 2024). The species may never have been more widespread (Davis et al. 2020). It has been recorded from sea level up to 60 m asl (Davis et al. 2020).

This species was described as rare by the describing author in 1857 (Davis et al. 2020). Six of the nine specimen records are from Tembe Elephant Park (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023), but there is no information on its current population status. The most recent record from Tembe was taken in 1982, and the most recent specimen was collected from Sileza Nature Reserve in 1995-1996 (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023, Rensberg et al. 1999). Four recent photographic records (taken in 2016, 2017 and 2018 of dead specimens) have been taken from the town of St. Lucia or its vicinity (iNaturalist records, validated by C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2024). It is possible that the population is stable in this area, which lies within iSimangaliso National Park, as habitat quality is presently stable and monogastric herbivore populations are stable or increasing (C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2024).

Known records have been taken in an area of wooded deep sands. These records include mixed woodland in Sileza Nature Reserve that was mistakenly described as Sand Forest by Davis et al. (2020) (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023), with a single record from shrubland (Davis et al. 2020). The Maputaland centre of endemism comprises a mosaic of grassland, woodland and forest (Davis et al. 2020), and the species' apparent restriction to this area may reflect a reliance on the dominant wooded deep sands. Extensive sampling with both pig and elephant dung has only recorded it from elephant dung (one record), and Davis et al. (2020) suggest that it may be reliant on the dung of monogastric herbivores. C. Deschodt (pers. comm. 2024) speculates that the species may have survived in St. Lucia on zebra dung prior to the reintroduction of rhino and elephant to this area. It is thought likely to be active in darkness during the summer rainy season (November to February) (Davis et al. 2020). Across a selection of known localities mean annual rainfall is between 654 and 808 mm, and mean annual temperature is between 22.3 and 22.6 °C (Davis et al. 2020).

Elephants no longer survive at either of the known Mozambique localities, and due to fencing between the Mozambique (Maputo Special Reserve) and South African (Tembe) reserves there is no connectivity between elephants in the two countries. As a large elephant herd survives in Maputo Special Reserve to which no major threats have been identified, it is possible that the beetle still survives in southern Mozambique (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023). Nevertheless, extensive sampling in the reserve 2006 failed to record it using pig dung bait, but this may reflect some combination of the species' rarity, possible sporadic occurrence within suitable habitat and the use of dung to which the insect is not attracted (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023).

A management plan for Tembe Elephant Park highlighted a need to control both arson and poaching within the reserve (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife 2014). Due to the high numbers of elephants within Tembe, limited poaching may not strongly impact this species even if it is reliant on monogastric herbivore dung. Habitat damage caused by unnaturally high elephant densities is described as a threat to the reserve by Patel et al. (2023), to which this species may be sensitive if it is associated with wooded habitats as available records suggest (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023).

There is no use of or trade in this species. There may be trade interest, as it is a large, 'spectacular' beetle (C. Deschodt and G. Daniel pers. comm. 2023).

This species is protected in Tembe Elephant Park and the nearby Sileza Nature Reserve (Davis et al. 2020). The most recent records are photographs from iSimangliso Wetland Park (C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2024). A quantitative survey is needed to clarify its extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, ecological requirements and population density (Davis et al. 2020). In this area, it is likely to be reliant on continued protection of woodland and elephants on deep sands (Davis et al. 2020) with appropriate management of their populations.