KNP investigating poisoning of wildlife
The Kruger National Park is investigating the poisoning of an elephant on Saturday which led to the death of several other wild animals.
KNP discovered an elephant carcass, 110 dead white back vultures, two male lions and two black back jackals killed by wildlife poisoning.
According to SANParks, the elephant carcass was found with gun shots to its head, its tusks were removed and poison was laced on it. Scavengers in the vicinity of the elephant carcass were poisoned from feeding the exposed areas of the carcass.
“It seems poachers have resorted to wildlife poisoning in the National Parks and other protected areas in Southern Africa and we are devastated by these latest mortalities of our wildlife. Wildlife poisoning is not only a threat to our biodiversity assets, but a single incident can affect hundreds of species; thus cutting their life short and diminishing their ecological role;” said the Managing Executive of KNP, Glenn Phillips.
Last year, the Park experienced a similar incident wherein one elephant and four African lions suffered the same fate; with 46 vultures and 1 sub adult bateleur all dying from poisoning.
An incident of deliberate poisoning of black-backed jackal and other small predators in Addo Elephant National Park in 2014 resembled the same pattern of an attempt to kill wildlife by means of poisoning.
“We would like to thank our anti-poaching teams for their quick response as the outcome could have been worse, had they had detected the situation late. Although poisoning has occurred at a low level in the country in recent history, it is a real problem in our neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe. A joint operation with all relevant government security structures as well as our neighbouring counterparts; in particular those bordering the far northern part of the Park wherein there is a spate of elephant poaching requires tough regulatory measures to prevent wildlife poisoning and poaching” Phillips said.