Media Release: Letaba Elephant Hall Reopens
New attractions of The Elephant Hall at Letaba Main Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP), which reopened today (Thursday March 23, 2006), include a full-size elephant skeleton and the impressive tusks of Mandleve.
Both these new exhibits add considerable value and are a result of an upgrade of the facility, which has taken six weeks to complete.
Photo left: The tusks of Mandleve - the heaviest ever found in Kruger - are now displayed at the Elephant Hall.
It has also brightened up the hall so that visitors can enjoy the other exhibits, which include the skulls and ivory of the six of the original seven of the KNP’s legendary Magnificent Seven elephants, as well as displays on how elephants evolved as a species and the struggle that conservationists had to endure to protect these huge herbivores against poaching.
“We trust that we have made this facility even better than it was,” said Mr Ben van Eeden, the regional manager for the Northern Business Unit, “and also trust that the temporary closure did not inconvenience our guests too much but we hope that they enjoy the new display.”
Apart from a new coat of paint and general maintenance, the Hall also received a series of large murals, which were prepared especially for the hall.
Photo right: Another new attraction of the revamped Elephant Hall is an entire elephant skeleton.
Rotary International sponsored funding to make the Mandleve tusk display and the Bushveld Region Honorary Rangers provided the funding for the full elephant skeleton display.
… Ends
Issued by:
Raymond Travers
Media Relations Practitioner
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4116
Cell: 082 908 2677
E-mail
Enquiries:
William Mabasa
HOD: Public Relations and Communications
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363
Cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail
Issued by:
Raymond Travers, Media Relations Practitioner, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4116, cell: 082 908 2677 or email: raymondt@sanparks.org <mailto:raymondt@sanparks.org>
Enquiries:
William Mabasa, HOD: Public Relations and Communications, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: williamm@sanparks.org <mailto:williamm@sanparks.org>
The Kruger National Park's (KNP) dynamic outreach project "Take Kruger to 'Kasies'" was officially launched today (20 January 2006) at Mkhulhlu Shopping Complex near Hazyview by the KNP's Head of People and Conservation, Ms Helen Mmethi.
Photo 1: Victory! Kruger National Park's head of People and Conservation, Ms Helen Mmethi celebrates with Nyiko Mhubunga (16), whose picture now proudly decorates the Kruger to Kasies Outreach project buses.
"It is fitting that the community of Mkhulhu should witness the official launch of this project as the KNP forms such a huge portion of the lives of the people that live here," said Ms Mmethi.
Photo 2: The moment of truth: Young artist Nyiko Mhubunga (16) receives his prize as the winner of the Take Kruger to Kasie Project Art Competition.
At the function, the Regional Manager of the Southern Business Unit of the KNP, Ms Nasiwe Nelani presented Nyiko Mhubunga (16) with a prize for his efforts as he drew the picture used as artwork on the side of the "Take Kruger to Kasies" buses.Young artist Nyiko, a grade 11 pupil from Makhosana High School in Mkhuhlu, responded to a call from the KNP's People and Conservation Department to "depict by drawing or sketching your understanding of conservation and people's involvement in environmental management".
His obvious creativity and hard work paid dividends and he went home today the proud owner of a brand new art kit, a trendy KNP golf shirt and a night in one of the KNP's big camps with an environmental education tour of the KNP's facilities with three of his friends.
Photo 3: A traditional dancer from Mkhuhlu-based Ringetani Traditional Dance Group shows off his skills in front of one of the Take Kruger to Kasie buses. These buses will now be used to visit all community centres, schools and other places in the communities surrounding the Kruger National Park to build awareness of conservation and of what the park has to offer.
Second place winner, Muxe Nkuna (14), a grade eight pupil from Mandondo High School at Belfast Trust and third place winner Smanga Msibi (19), a grade 12 pupil from Lugebhuta High School at Schoemansdal Trust, will also take home art kits and other prizes.
As it is our role to get the message of conservation to the people living outside the KNP, we believe the art competition was a great way to help get this message across and this artwork has been immortalised on the side of these vehicles for everyone to see," said Ms Mmethi.
The KNP's People and Conservation Department's role is to go out into the communities and spread the message of conservation among the communities living within a 30 km radius from the boundaries of the Park as they are one of the most important stakeholders.
(Note to editors: These photographs are available in HiRes form.)
Issued by:
Raymond Travers
Media Relations Practitioner
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4116
Cell: 082 908 2677
E-mail
Enquiries:
William Mabasa
HOD: Public Relations and Communications
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363
Cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail
Media Release: First tourists make use of Giriyondo
More than 100 vehicles and almost 300 keen tourists have already made use of the Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility between the Kruger National Park and Mozambique's Limpopo National Park, even although it only opened last week.
"This goes to show the true potential of the whole Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park initiative," commented KNP Executive Director Dr Bandile Mkhize, "and that there certainly is a market willing to explore new areas of wilderness within the GLTP boundaries."
The Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility is open from 08:00 until 16:00 (October – March) and from 08:00 until 15:00 (April – September) and is only open for 4x4 vehicles as the roads within the Limpopo National Park are still being developed. It is also not open to commercial traffic as its role is to facilitate tourist movement within the GLTP. Therefore, no vehicles with an excess of a maximum of four tons axle load are allowed.
Visitors using the facility should allow enough time to reach their destinations whilst adhering to speed regulations within the KNP. Visitors who do not reach the Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility in time will be required to overnight at the closest camp as it is against KNP regulations to travel after normal gate closing times. It is approximately 95 kms (at least two hours, 15 minutes travelling time) between Phalaborwa Entrance Gate and the Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility and approximately 75kms (at least two hours) between Giriyondo and Massingir.
Boats and trailers will be allowed "at the owners' risk" and the transport of firearms not allowed except if the owner can provide the necessary export permits.
Access into the Limpopo National Park is R50 per vehicle plus R50 per adult and R25 per child (current exchange rate). Access to the KNP from Mozambique is the possession of a valid Wild Card or the payment of the SANParks standard Conservation Fee.
South Africans qualify for a special "tourism" visa (less than 30 days) that costs R12. However, guests must ensure that they have their valid passports, all the relevant registration documents for their vehicles and permission from the owner of the vehicle or the bank as per the requirement at other Mozambique/South Africa border posts.
Foreign visitors should be in the possession of a Mozambican Visa if they intend staying in Mozambique for more than 30 days.
KNP's normal gate quotas will also be adhered to with regards to the Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility so it is suggested that guests planning to travel to Mozambique via Giriyondo should book their entrance in advance via Central Reservations on 012 428 9111.
… Ends
Photo caption:
The first tourist to make use of the newly opened Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility was Daan and Zena who own a guesthouse in Phalaborwa.
Issued by:
Raymond Travers, Media Relations Practitioner, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4116, cell: 082 908 2677 or email: raymondt@sanparks.org
Enquiries:
William Mabasa, HOD: Public Relations and Communications, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: williamm@sanparks.org
Elephant causes excitement
By Raymond Travers
SKUKUZA – Great excitement was caused today (October 26, 2005) at around 14:00 when an elephant bull wandered through the KNP's Corporate and Scientific Service office complex.
After blocking the access road for a while, and causing a considerable traffic jam as people returned to work after their lunch break, the elephant ambled in the direction of one of the covered parking areas.
There, it fed off a few trees, before heading in the direction of one of Scientific Service's temporary office buildings. After causing great excitement among the researchers working in this building, it strode towards the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services building, where it barely missed the PR Department Secretary's VW Polo, before spying an impala lily plant in the garden and uprooting it completely.
It then proceeded into the garden area in front of the Corporate Office block and, again, fed on a number of trees before heading back into the bush.
Considering the closeness of the elephant to a number of cars and buildings, there were a fair number of very relieved faces that returned to their offices.
"I suppose this is what makes living and working in a place as special as the Kruger National Park even more special," one worker was heard to say afterwards.
 Field Rangers look on as an elephant bull passes close to a covered parking area at Skukuza Corporate office complex. |
|
 Passing extremely close to the VW Polo belonging to KNP PR Department secretary, Ms Sinna Mphatse, the elephant bull heads towards a nearby garden. |
|
Media Release: KNP collects bounty from balloons
A Boksburg school, the Mooiplaas Ranger Section and a bunch of balloons were linked together in the strangest of ways today (Friday, 7 October 2005).
Mooiplaas Section Ranger, Mr Johann Oelofse, addressed the pupils of Laeskool Van Dyk Primary on the dangers of littering, especially in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
"Litter not only looks ugly but can have disastrous effects on our natural surroundings," he explained to 800 eager faces.
The pupils and teachers of this Boksburg dual medium school received this lesson in conservation and the dangers of littering after 118 helium-filled balloons landed in the KNP as a result of a fund raising attempt by the school.
Mr Oelofse was alerted to the fact that the balloons had landed in the Mooiplaas section of the KNP on Saturday, 4 June 2005 and immediately went to the area where he saw the balloons lying in the Mopaniveld.
"I battled to load all the balloons into my vehicle, but eventually succeeded. On my return to Mooiplaas, I popped all the balloons and read each note that included the school's telephone number," Mr Oelofse explained.
On contacting the school, Mr Oelofse discovered that the balloons were part of a fund-raising effort and that there was a R1 000 prize for the person who picked up the balloon that travelled the furthest.
As Mooiplaas is more than 550 kilometres away from Boksburg, the KNP easily won the prize, which was also presented to the Johannesburg Region of the Honorary Rangers today.
"I must just stress that we as the KNP are not angry with you or your school, but respectfully request that you should rather choose more environmentally friendly projects to raise funds for your school," Mr Oelofse explained to the children.
 KNP Section Ranger Johann Oelofse explains to the pupils from Laerskool Van Dyk Primary why litter is dangerous to places like the Kruger National Park. |
|
 All smiles as three young girls from Laerskool Van Dyk Primary meet KNP Section Ranger Johann Oelofse. |
 All 118 balloons were crammed into KNP Section Ranger Johann Oelofse's bakkie. |
Note to editors: Photographs available in hi-res.
Issued by:
Raymond Travers
Media Relations Practitioner
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4116
Cell: 082 908 2677
E-mail
Enquiries:
William Mabasa
HOD: Public Relations and Communications
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363
Cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail
"It certainly seems as if SANParks and the AWF have a lot in common and it is only natural for the two organizations to pool their respective resources so that efforts to develop the communities living on the borders of the Kruger National Park can be fine-tuned so that they really make a difference," Mr Schraader said.
Specific objectives of the agreement include the creation of awareness of potential economic opportunities, the establishment of community institutions such as community development forums, capacity building of community members and co-operation on a number of other initiatives.
Included in this agreement is an arrangement that an AWF officer, Mr Patrick Chauke, is based in Skukuza with the aim of co-ordinating that organisation's contribution to the various People and Conservation projects that are initiated in terms of the agreement.
The agreement will remain in force for the next five years and can be renewed for another five years, if both parties agree.
… Ends
Agreement: Acting KNP Executive Director, Mr Blake Schraader (right) and Dr Simon Munthali from African Wildlife Foundation signed an agreement of co-operation in Skukuza today (August 18, 2005).
Issued by:
Raymond Travers
Media Relations Practitioner
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4116
Cell: 082 908 2677
E-mail
Enquiries:
William Mabasa
HOD: Public Relations and Communications
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363
Cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail
Caption: Holding the WILD Visitor Card at Indaba are (from left to right) Stephen Hulbert (SANParks WILD Card Co-ordinator), Frieda Henning (Infinity's WILD Visitor Card Project Manager) and Mel Cunningham (Infinity's MD).
During the early morning hours of 9 March 2005, a Desert- or South-western black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) was released in the Stolzhoek area of the Karoo National Park. The 5-year old male rhino, weighing in at 1100kg, was translocated from the privately owned Tswalu Desert Reserve near Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province in exchange for a male from Vaalbos National Park at Kimberley. This move forms part of a series of translocations of this endangered species by SANParks, aimed at ensuring a healthy gene flow and increased population growth throughout its natural distribution range. This co-operation between a private reserve and national conservation authority also represents a landmark agreement where the different sectors work together to ensure the survival of a very rare species.
This meta-population management action aims to improve the population structure of the various groups scattered through the region to ensure optimum population growth, while simultaneously extending its distribution back into its former range, from which it was displaced by human settlement and over hunting. The last black rhino disappeared from the Western Cape and Karoo regions during the second half of the eighteenth century. A record of the shooting of a black rhino in 1779 at the source of the Gamka River ironically indicates that the very last ones may have persisted in exactly the same area where they are now reintroduced. During 1993 four rhino of this sub-species were in fact reintroduced in the Park, but they were moved to Addo Elephant National Park in 1995, when it was realised from data gathered over many years that population growth is faster when founder populations are larger (10 animals plus). Small groups of three to four animals were then combined to achieve a faster population growth rate.
A breeding project of the Eastern Black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) was then launched in the Karoo National Park to assist East African countries in increasing their population numbers. The purpose was to increase their numbers in this and other Parks like Addo, and then re-establish the increased number of animals in their home countries. The project was a success and the last two rhino of this sub-specie was removed from the Park in March 2004. It was clearly established by that time that the habitat in the Park was very suitable for Black rhino, and the Park identified as a future permanent home for these animals.
This latest release of a South-western black rhino into the Karoo National Park marks a new stage in the conservation of this species in South Africa, indicating that their numbers have increased to the level where it is slowly becoming possible to expand their current distribution, and putting them back into areas where they have previously thrived. More introductions are planned in the Park in the near future, and perhaps, with patience and dedication from both Private and Public enterprise, and the public at large, the time will come when Diceros bicornis bicornis can be taken from the "endangered" species list in South Africa.
