SKUKUZA – The sporadic rain in the Kruger National Park (KNP) on the weekend especially in the southwest, led to great elation. Visitors to the Park Facebooked and Whatsapped lots of photographs to the delight of friends and Krugerholics.

Pictures posted showed animals like the baboons having fun in the water. Wet roads attracted animals like tortoises to pools in the tar to have a long-awaited sip of water.

Navashni Govender, program manager: Fire Ecology and Biochemistry in the KNP, said the rain was very isolated and did not fall in the entire park. Skukuza measured 2,5mm on the weekend. Two weeks ago 8mm fell in Skukuza.

“The rain is insignificant in terms of relieving the drought and did not reach the north of the park or the central parts. It is not enough to start rivers flowing,” said Govender.

Dr. Eddie Riddell, manager: Aquatic Biodiversity Management of the KNP is in agreement with Govender.

“The rain will bring  some light relief for the drought conditions and hopefully means we will have a green flush in the veld which will help the game. However this is not true spring rain, so we are still in drought mode as this rain is not expected to have much impact on the river hydrology and the springtime forecast is that it is going to be exceptionally hot,” said Riddell.

Rain is forecasted for this coming Saturday and Sunday.