More support needed to stop poaching in KNP
Local Kruger National Park (KNP) ranger Neels van Wyk shared the challenges of the critical anti-poaching work done by rangers with local business people during the year's first business chamber meeting.
MALALANE – Local ranger Neels van Wyk educated members of the Malelane Business Chamber and Nkomazi East Chamber of Commerce and Tourism on the challenges of anti-poaching and conservation during their first meeting of the year at the Malelane Golf Club on March 13.
In his introduction, Malelane Chamber of Commerce’s Mel Preddy mentioned that rangers are the lowest paid workers in the country and they do it because they have a passion for the work.
Van Wyk explained that there are several intention protection zones in the southern part of the park and that it has alliances with local interest groups and nature reserves to aid them in the fight to curb poaching.
READ: Joining forces with KNP is key to developing local communities
Thanks to support from various stakeholders the KNP rangers are the best equipped in South Africa and their K9 unit has proven invaluable. Care for Wild Africa, near Mbombela, is also nearby and its specialists help care for rhinos orphaned due to poaching.
Some of the challenges rangers face are:
• Security vs tourism-friendly environment at gates
• Lack of manpower
• Lack of follow-up after arrests
• Poor investigations
• Insufficient operation funding
• The negative impact of consequences following shooting incidents such as the confiscation of rangers’ weapons
• Increased workload and the negative impact on personal well-being and the operations.
READ: Organisation keeps Lowveld’s animals wild and free
Van Wyk mentioned that rangers can only take investigations up to a point before they are handed over to the SAPS and justice system. However, the justice system has proved to be lacking, as there are specialist prosecutors needed who understand conservation, poaching and its consequences.
He stated that criminals need to be caught before they get into the KNP. Unfortunately the security of boundary fences are a huge problem, especially in areas where communities live close to the fence.
There have also been cases where rangers and law enforcement aided poachers in committing crimes.
The KNP’s Airwing has played an important role in anti-poaching operations and has seen a five per cent increase in operational successes from 2017 to 75 per cent in 2018.
Van Wyk explained that factors influencing positive changes include funding and support from local and international stakeholders, the rollout of the IPZ and accompanying technology and the development and improvement of their K9 unit.
He cautioned people who want to support anti-poaching initiatives to ensure that they support organisations that really assist the KNP rangers such as the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
The NGO Stop Poaching our Endangered African Rhino (Spear) also had the opportunity to tell guests about its various initiatives to assist in the fight against rhino poaching.
The meeting was concluded with a lunch and networking session.
The next gathering will be held on April 25 and meetings this year will include topics such as mining in Nkomazi, the toll gate, the special economic zone and Nkomazi tourism strategy.
Interested parties are urged to contact the business chambers’ umbrella organisation, the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism on 013-755-1988 or send an email to tourism@klcbt.co.za.
