The crisis in hotspots like Skukuza, Pretoriuskop and Pafuri has escalated dramatically, producing a 200% increase since the onset of the pandemic. At least 2,400, 4,450 and 7,270 traps were removed in the park in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, according to Environment Minister Barbara Cree.
Responding to questions at the weekend, SANParks told Daily Maverick that 135 buffaloes had been “lost due to snaring” between January and October this year, making up nearly 35% of 415 cases for all reported species.
In the first half of 2023, over 60% of rhinos poached in South Africa perished in KwaZulu-Natal about 140 compared with Kruger’s roughly 40 casualties. This continues Kruger’s decreasing poaching trend, which has seen a population plunge from 10,000 animals less than two decades ago to, offic.
New details in an internal question paper from Parliament’s National Assembly exposes a growing dilemma outside Kruger National Park. Affecting wildlife deep within the 2 million hectare reserve, the trends suggest just how vulnerable many critters in this park are.
Dr Lisolomzi Fikizolo, South Africa’s top polar official, faced scrutiny during a briefing to Parliament’s environment committee on the country’s Antarctic operations with Russia’s ship-based minerals ‘research' sorties through the Mother City stealing the show.