Skip to Content

14 September 2015

Media Release: Kruger National Park rangers receive quad vehicles for patrol

“We continue to be invaded by well-equipped poachers that aim to illegally capitalize on our rhino on daily basis. For as long as this scourge continues at the rate it is on at the moment, we need to continuously equip our Rangers with the latest field equipment available; including the all-terrain vehicles such as these to enhance their effectiveness,” said KNP”s GM: Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa

Rangers will receive training for the new quad vehicles, to afford them the best way to effectively utilize the vehicles for their specific terrain within the KNP.

SANParks received an initial grant funding of R254.8 million from HGBF in 2014 to support anti-poaching operations in the KNP. This incorporated the establishment of “Air Mobility” capacity” and included the purchase of the first helicopter in September 2014.

Subsequent to that initial funding, the Howard G Buffet Foundation granted SANParks a further R37.7 million to purchase a second Airbus AS350 B3e helicopter, with similar specifications of night flying capability, to further increase the capacity of SANParks” rhino anti-poaching flight operations in the KNP. The commissioning of that helicopter took place this year on 19 March.

Quads for KNP rangers
Crocodile Bridge Section Ranger, Neels van Wyk and his ranger team, test drive one of the Quad Vehicles received at the handover today. Next to him are Sergeant Wilson Siwela, and at the back Rangers William Nkuna, Albert Khosa and the dog.

Quads for KNP rangers
SANParks” Senior General Manager: Strategy and Business Planning – Teboho Mokoena officially receives the Quad vehicles on behalf of Rangers from Polaris Sales Manager: National, Mark Chittenden. Polaris will be in charge of the maintenance and servicing of the vehicles.

Quads for KNP rangers
The new fleet to the total value of R3.6 million comes with a two year motor plan.

Issued by:
South African National Park (SANParks),Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park.
Tel: 013 735 4262

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