SANParks and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) assessed the Kruger National Park’s fence between Numbi Gate and Matsulu on Saturday March 9.

This was deemed necessary after several reports of elephants venturing into the nearby communities to feed sparked fears that these animals cause damage to crops and will potentially injure community members.

The assessment team was comprised of scientists and conservation officials in the form of section and regional rangers.

They concluded that there is a need to send technical teams to the area to finalise the scope of work and to have a contractor on-site from April 2024. The fence’s construction is expected to take at least eight months, according to a SANParks press statement on Monday March 11.

In it, SANParks confirmed that discussions with communities and stakeholders are in the pipeline to co-develop the building programme and construction. These engagements are also planned to facilitate dialogue and guidance, as well as buy-in, to safeguard the fence from being vandalised.