Anti-poaching operations boosted in Kruger Park

KNP Rangers, Veterinary Services and ECI team work around one of the rhinos marked with an electronic tracking device

December 2009. Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers and South African National Parks (SANParks) Environmental Crimes Investigations (ECI) units have installed high technology invisible tracking devices to some of the Kruger rhinos. This is one of the many strategies that SANParks are implementing in an effort to intensify anti-poaching efforts after losing 41 rhinos between January and October this year.

William Mabasa of SANParks said that the park started experiencing an increase in poaching activities last year when 36 rhinos were killed by poachers. "The whole region is currently losing a high number of rhinos due to poaching. However, since Kruger has the highest number of rhino in the region, it is the number one poaching target so the park is stepping up its efforts to deal with poaching."

57 new field rangers & night vision equipment
Mabasa said SANParks is investing R5.2 million towards its anti-poaching strategy of which will include recruiting fifty-seven new field rangers to be deployed to the areas identified as hot spots, and state of the art night vision equipment has been.

Aircraft and motor bikes
An additional Bantam aircraft and motorbikes for all Section Rangers were also purchased, and a new radio communication system for the Rangers is currently being tested.

"It is worth noting that there has been a marked drop in the poaching along the eastern boundary of the KNP over the past four months. However, Stolznek and Malelane ranger sections are still regarded as poaching hot spots; hence these tracking devices are being brought to these areas.

Eight arrests
Recently park Rangers arrested eight suspects and recovered four firearms after some poaching activities have occurred in the area. "We are also upgrading the road network system in the area which will allow easy access to problematic areas."

According to Mabasa, Kruger National Park represents one of the successful rhino conservation stories with an estimated 12,000 white rhino now roaming the park, and the number is still rising.