Animals were almost completely decimated. He faced hostility from farmers, hunters and the local residents. The concept of conservation was completely unheard of. Governments were unwilling to support anything thing that might lose them votes and power.
Yet today, Kruger stands as a beacon to the world.
My daughter has been involved in research that has made it essential that she delve into the Skukuza archives. She has very kindly left me a number of annual reports, mainly compiled by James Stevenson Hamilton, following the extra ordinary growth of Kruger.
I will start with one of the later entrants from 1930. Some of it could be written today.
Tourist traffic
Tourist traffic began in June and reached its peak in the following month continuing in a steady stream to mid August when it began to abate. There were a good many visitorsin September, but relatively few in October and after the 1st November only a few cars were registered until closing on the 15th. The great majority, probably 90% of the visitors were well behaved and expressed satisfaction, both with what they saw and facilities and accommodation, provided for them. and did nothing to harm the amenities of the Park.
Unfortunately there was an ill behaved miority, who in various ways, ranging from chasing and disturbing the game, lighting grass fires, defacing trees, tearing down notice boards, to disturbing other visitors with drunken and noisy behavior in the camps. This has rendered necessary the issue of special regulations by the Board, creating a list of offences which are punishable.
The practice of 'joy riding at night' has been rather common and is one in the interests of both the Park and individuals themselves must be rigidly suppressed. A certain number of persons undoubtedly succeeded in getting through the Park without paying interest fees, others managed to avoid paying pontoon and rest camp ....
The Park might have changed, human behavior has not.
