The reserve is open!
But the facilities are still closed, and residents are asking why.
“It saddens me bitterly,” said Patricia Heritage to the News while looking over the Krugersdorp Game Reserve. “We used to see animals from the border fence.
We used to hear the lions moan in the afternoons. We used to see birds, rhinos and green grass for them to feed on. Now, everything has changed.”
Patricia has lived next to the border fence of the Game Reserve for nearly 50 years. She knows the area and residents. She knows the park and what it looked like when it was still whole.
“We had a Wildlife Hiking group many years ago and we used to walk in the reserve learning about the animals from professors who came with us. The reserve was then taken over by someone else and we weren’t allowed to walk around in it any more. But we still had some great game drives afterwards. We also used to have tea and scones at the restaurant in the reserve, but it’s now in a terrible condition.”
Photo: Bianca Pindral.
Since then a lot has changed – the 2 000 animals were reduced to the 900 that are currently in the reserve. The once beautiful lodge has deteriorated and is currently closed, and the park’s other facilities are also closed.
This is due to a dispute between Mogale City Local Municipality, which owns the reserve and the Red Ants, who manage it.
Also Read: [FOLLOW UP] A third of Krugersdorp Game Reserve burnt to the ground
After the reserve was closed for the winter months, and the Red Ants moved some of the animals to other reserves to prevent inbreeding, it was reopened for self-drives.
However, Jaco Geldenhuys, manager of the Reserve said he is proud to announce that the buck have calved and new life lurks around every corner.
Photo: Bianca Pindral.
“The springbuck have calved, there are new little eland, and the red hartebees have just had babies,” said Geldenhuys.
“We invite every single Krugersdorper to visit the reserve and view our animals. The entrance fees will contribute greatly to restoring the reserve to its former glory.”
Also Read: Krugersdorp Game Reserve the latest gravy train?
Entrance fees to the reserve are R80 for adults, R40 per pensioner and R10 per child under 12, and R10 per vehicle.
The reserve is open from 8am to 5pm. Lion feedings take place on Saturdays and Sundays at noon. The lion camp closes at 4pm every day.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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