By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
The Kruger National Park(KNP) has reported a disturbing increase in rhino poaching, with over 35 rhinos killed for their horns since the beginning of this year.
This shocking revelation is viewed as a glaring indication that criminals are willing to risk their lives and continue to uncover new tactics to bypass all existing safety interventions meant to curb the senseless killing of rhinos.
The Regional Ranger of Special Operation in KNP, Bruce Leslie, said the surge in poaching can be attributed to the ongoing demand for rhino horn in the international market.
“ Transnational syndicates targeting these endangered animals are relentless in their pursuit of rhino horn. We also suspect that the unrest in Mozambique could have an influence,” he said.
Leslie added that the KNP has made concerted efforts introduce safety measures such as dehorning the rhinos as a viable deterrent, but the problem still persists.
He furthermore appealed to local and international communities, as well as conservationists, to join hands with the Park in the fight against poaching, by sharing information about active or would-be perpetrators of this crime, in order to save the remaining rhinos.
Leslie acknowledged the challenges faced by the KNP, including limited resources and manpower to cover the Park’s vast area of over a million hectares. However, he emphasised that law enforcement is doing its utmost to ensure that those caught are brought to book.
“ Many measures to curb rhino poaching or any other wild animals had been put in place and in most cases they had good successes. We have installed solar-powered cameras in hot spot areas and keep moving them once the problem in a particular area had been resolved,” he said.
According to Leslie, the introduction of hoarding dogs and aerial wing support is making a huge difference, but he reiterated the plea for outside communities to come on board and help the Park where they can.
“ KNP would continue to fight rhino poaching and calls upon donors to assist the Park with additional resources to fight poachers; it can either be in the form of money or vehicles,” Leslie concluded.
