Elephant poaching on the rise

Currently the park has a population of 17 000 elephants, with a new census expected in September.  

Last year, a total of 22 elephants were poached, but 30 animals have already been poached so far this year.

KNP senior communications officer Ike Phahla says this trend should concern all South Africans. 

"They use heavy calibre guns. We suspect they also come with silencers so that the shot isn't heard. They shoot them and hack off their heads for the ivory," he says.

Phahla says they are working with local communities to combat poaching.

"The communities have told us of their frustrations and challenges which include youth unemployment. This makes it easy for syndicates to recruit the youth to get into the park to try and poach."

A total of 90 suspected poachers have been arrested in connection with elephant and rhino poaching this year.

Jacaranda FM news witnessed an active crime scene in the Vlakteplaas sections in the north of the park, which is a few kilometres away from the Mozambican border.