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“It seems poachers have resorted to wildlife poisoning in the National Parks and other protected areas in Southern Africa and we are devastated by these latest mortalities of our wildlife. Wildlife poisoning is not only a threat to our biodiversity assets, but a single incident can affect hundreds of species; thus cutting their life short and diminishing their ecological role;” said the Managing Executive of KNP, Glenn Phillips.

Last year, the Park experienced a similar incident wherein one elephant and four African lions suffered the same fate; with 46 vultures and 1 sub adult bateleur all dying from poisoning. An incident of deliberate poisoning of black-backed jackal and other small predators in Addo Elephant National Park in 2014 resembled the same pattern of an attempt to kill wildlife by means of poisoning.

“We would like to thank our anti-poaching teams for their quick response as the outcome could have been worse, had they had detected the situation late. Although poisoning has occurred at a low level in the country in recent history, it is a real problem in our neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe. A joint operation with all relevant government security structures as well as our neighbouring counterparts; in particular those bordering the far northern part of the Park wherein there is a spate of elephant poaching requires tough regulatory measures to prevent wildlife poisoning and poaching” concluded Phillips.

Issued By

South African National Parks: Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park.

Media Enquiries

Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications – SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]

William Mabasa
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919
Email: [email protected]