Skip to Content

09 December 2010

Media Release: Jacaranda RMFM raised a hand to assist KNP Rangers fight poaching

Jacaranda RM FM Station Manager, Mr Dewald Hattingh (right) officially hands over a cheque of R105 000 to the KNP Managing Executive, Mr Abe Sibiya (left). With them in the middle are KNP Rangers from left: Don English, Derick Mashale, Louis Olivier, Kenneth Muchocho, HOD: Conservation Management, Dr Freek Venter & Albert Machaba.Jacaranda RMFM raised the donation from the listeners through a telephone call initiative, which was aimed at raising the much needed funding to combat rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park specifically due to its high vulnerability due to its high number of rhino. The public was requested to take up a stand against rhino poaching by pledging any amount of money which would go to the aid of rhino in the country.

Sibiya in his acceptance speech said “South African National Parks alone may not be able to completely eradicate this poaching problem hence it is important and appreciated to have everybody and every company in this country coming up to assist us in whatever way possible”. “These poachers do not come from another planet but live with us in our communities; some are our relatives and friends get tempted by rich members of syndicates and take whatever set of price as promised to them for killing our rhino for their horns;” continued Sibiya.

The donation will assist in purchasing the much needed ranger equipment such as night vision surveillance equipment, bullet proof vests and other equipment that the KNP Rangers and Environmental Crime Investigating Unit may need to be able to effectively deal with the poachers out there in the bush.

To date, 304 rhino has been lost to the poachers in South Africa between January and November 2010; which is the highest number of rhino ever poached in this country in one year. Out of this number, 129 rhinos were poached in the Kruger National Park alone which makes it a hotspot for rhino poaching, therefore more efforts and resources are necessary to strengthen the Kruger anti-poaching strategies and activities.

In his message, Dewald Hattingh, Jacaranda RMFM Station Manager said “As a station, we could not afford to sit back and become spectators when our country”s rhino is killed at a scale that we have seen in the last two to three years, hence we initiated this fundraising drive and we hope that our contribution will make some dent in the sophisticated plans of the syndicates that are driving this poaching scourge in our country.”

Issued By

Laura, Media Relations Practitioner, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: (013) 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441 or e-mail: [email protected]

Media Enquiries

William Mabasa, HOD: Public Relations and Communication, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: (013) 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or e-mail: [email protected]