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KTP has a few unfenced camps as well.

While it is important to conserve the Riverine Rabbit, that species has never been common and its current range in the SW Karoo mainly is what it has always been.

The African Lion on the other hand is severely threatened by disease in the lowveld and a fast shrinking range and unscrupulous trophy hunting where pride males are systematically taken out of the system in free ranging situations causing massive interuption and chaos in their social system...Canned hunting is even worse. So the spread of this species is to be welcomed and encouraged and is a key indicator species. I think its great news

Tigers??
In Africa??

In the Karoo!

Google "John Varty"

Dear

Thank you for taking the time to write to us about your concerns with regards to re-introducing lions into Karoo National Park. We take your concerns seriously and the response from the CE of SANParks, the Park Manager and Senior Section Ranger are as follows:

The Park Manager and Senior Section Ranger have responded as follows:

The decision to introduce lion or any larger predator into the park is firstly guided by our park management plan which states the reasons for the introduction of larger predators. As part of any large ecosystem all trophic levels should be balanced to allow for a successful food chain to develop. The only missing link in Karoo NP is larger predators. Karoo NP has small predators that can control smaller species of herbivores but no large predator exists in the park to control or prey on larger herbivore like hartebeest, eland, gemsbok etc. To allow for minimum interference in a system it is crucial to have all aspects of that system in place. That will prove to be a healthy system then. Lion did occur in the Central Karoo before in large numbers before, and our mandate is to re-introduce species that previously occurred in the area. Karoo NP, now at almost 90 000 ha, can now sustain large predators with ease due to its size. The introduction of lion was decided upon and was approved by the Board after all assessments and decision making processes were followed, as well as input from Wildlife Management Committee and scientists. The introduction of lion is not only a biodiversity benefit to the park but will also benefit tourism (although the decision is not based on this reason). Lion can only contribute to the wilderness effect of the park and will not detract any experience from visitors but will enhance their experience of Karoo NP. We can assure you that this decision has not been hastily made, but that assessments and research has been conducted by experts in this field for a number of years to ascertain the sustainability and impact of lions on the ecosystem in the Park.

SANParks CE, Dr David Mabunda’s has responded as follows:

Thank you for raising the matter on the introduction of lions into Karoo National Park. We have considered all the issues you are raising and we are satisfied that introducing lions in the park will not pose a threat to visitors and staff alike. We also do not intend to infringe on the freedom of visitors and their experience in the camp by fencing it with high fences that will cause visible impacts. The predator proof fence will be the most modern and invisible to the human eye. Lions have a natural fear for human beings, unless they are man-eaters, and will stay very far from human presence. The presence of predators has an ecological value to the antelope population and it’ll stop the need to cull or relocate them. Once the pride tastes kudu or springbok it will not view human beings as a meal. An incident of predator-human conflict will be an exception than the rule.

Be rest assured that you will still enjoy the Karoo experience like never before even with the introduction of lions.

As a valued client, we sincerely hope that you will continue to visit Karoo National Park and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Karoo landscapes and wildlife.

Kind regards
Mandy Roets

Regional Marketing Manager – Frontier Region
Addo Elephant * Mountain Zebra * Karoo * Camdeboo National Parks
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS (SANParks)

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