News

SANParks again strongly condemns the behaviour depicted in the images captured on video after a leopard had been euthanised in the Kruger National Park, and was then struck by onlookers. Such actions are contrary to the ethos of the organisation whose primary goal is to conserve biodiversity and act as the custodian of our wildlife.

Investigations are well underway. Statements have been taken from Rangers and other employees present. A small number of statements are still outstanding and will be collected.

The incident arose after Rangers euthanized a leopard on Sunday, 17 July 2022 and the leopard was being retrieved to be taken for a post-mortem.

The leopard was shot just 30 meters away from where an employee from Shalati Concession, en route to work, had been attacked shortly before by a leopard. This was the second such attack on a worker employed in the Park since 26 June and was in the same area as the previous attack. In line with SANParks’ policies and Standard Operating Procedures on the management of damage-causing animals, a decision was taken to euthanise the leopard to safeguard human life.

SANParks has taken steps to positively identify all persons in the video and the organisation can confirm that four of the nine implicated persons are SANParks employees and three are Rangers. A further three individuals are employed by concessions who operate in the Park and the last one is employed as an Environmental Monitor.

The ninth person who was filmed striking the euthanised leopard was visiting the Park and is not a SANParks employee. SANParks is aware of his identity and is taking legal advice on sanctions to be imposed on him.

The State Vet’s post-mortem report confirms that the cause of death was from bullet wounds and not from any other actions.

On the basis of the evidence received, one employee has been suspended pending disciplinary action, and line management is finalising their approach with respect to other employees who may have transgressed SANParks’ policies and code of conduct. This process will be completed by Friday, 22 July 2022.

SANParks once again states that the actions of these individuals run counter to conservation management and the ethos of the organisation. During the course of next week, a campaign will be embarked upon amongst all employees within the Kruger National Park to reinforce these values and ethics.

The organisation commits to managing the outcomes in an open and transparent manner whilst respecting the requirements of all legislation pertaining to this regrettable incident. Management is aiming to have a final report completed by Wednesday, 27 July 2022 which will make recommendations to the SANParks Board on how to ensure that such incidences do not occur again.

Issued By

South African National Parks, Kruger National Park

Enquiries

Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications & Marketing, SANParks
Tel: 013 735 4262, Cell 083 673 6974 or email: [email protected]