News

In 2009, the Park was left with no buffalo population due to a disease called Theileriosis that was prevalent in the area at the time. After the disease was completely cleared, a decision was taken to re-introduce this animal. Fifteen bulls were reintroduced into the park two years ago and tested negatively for the disease, and then the first mixed herd arrived from Graspan, near Barkley West, in October 2013.

“The herd that we introduced in the park last year is doing very well and we believe these ones will also adapt with ease” said Johan Taljaard, Park Manager at Marakele, who further said “the decision to add more cows was purely to expedite the buffalo population in the park significantly, after a long time without the buffalo the only way we could increase the population was by adding more cows.”

Unlike the previous herd that arrived in October, this herd was born and kept at Addo Elephant National Park”s main camp in the Eastern Cape. Marakele National Park is a Big 5 national park and is situated outside the town of Thabazimbi in Limpopo.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Northern Region Communications

Enquiries

Divhani Maremba
SANParks Communications Manager: Northern Region,
Tel: 012 426-5403; Cell: 074 588 5789
Email: [email protected]