Kruger National Park Steps Up War on Rhino Poachers
Additional field rangers and the military are part of Kruger National Park’s plan to fight commercial poaching - which has led to the death of 94 rhinos in South Africa this year.
KNP Chief Executive Dr. David Mabunda declared war on poachers with the appointment of 57 field rangers and the return of the military to protect the park’s precious wildlife from the onslaught of unprecedented killings.
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Speaking at the Pass-Out Parade of 57 new Field Rangers held in Skukuza, Dr. Mabunda said via the Times Live that a poaching syndicate was using locals to front illegal activities.
We as a conservation agency and the public at large are paying a high price with these senseless killings of our animals, while some leader of a syndicate is winning the minds and hearts of ordinary and poor members of society to be on the frontline of these evil operations.
He also welcomed the South African Government’s decision to reinstate military patrols to the national border on the eastern boundary of KNP, and said that “an announcement will be made soon.” Dr. Mabunda then pointed out that 94 rhino have already been slaughtered by poachers this year.
Since the beginning of the year the country in general has lost a total of 94 rhinos, In which 38 was lost in KNP, 7 in Gauteng, 9 in Limpopo, 5 in Mpumalanga, 10 in North West, 4 in Eastern Cape and 21 in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
In addition, SANParks has invested R5.2 million in the war on poaching.
The funds allocated have been used to acquire amongst others motorbikes, bicycles, a bantam aircraft, to be used in patrols and high tech night vigil surveillance equipment … we want to own the night as well, as these senseless fugitives tend to focus their operations at night.
To date, SANParks rangers have arrested 22 poachers, who are reportedly appearing in various courts.
South Africa has suffered an alarming rise in commercial rhino poaching, driven by the insatiable appetite for rhino horn in China, where rising incomes have made it possible for a growing population to afford illegal rhino horn. The horn is desired because of an unfortunate superstition that attributes healing properties to rhino horn, despite modern scientific evidence to the contrary.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
