Kruger National Park Rangers Get Pampered For Their Hard Work

The IMPERIAL Retail Logistics team together with the SANParks Honorary Rangers donated 500 Christmas hampers to Kruger National Park Rangers today, 12 December 2013 in Skukuza. This donation which is valued R620,000 is a token of appreciation for the hard work demonstrated by the KNP Rangers, especially in the fight against the rhin...o poaching scourge.

"During our team's visit to the Kruger National Park in August this year, we got to grips with the massive effort that is needed to protect the Rhino population. "We decided to contribute by donating food hampers to the families of those who work so passionately especially the KNP Rangers" said Friedel Spies, Commercial Director form IMPERIAL Retail Logistics.

"As IMPERIAL we are proud to be associated with this important initiative and salute all the individuals who are making a difference in the conservation and the protection for the Rhino population in South Africa. Kruger National Park rangers spend most of their working hours camping in the bush looking after this beautiful heritage and a donation such as this one will be the appropriate taking to consideration their working environment. We would like to commit today that IMPEIRAL will continue with this kind to donation to Kruger National Park rangers every year." concluded Friedel Spies, Commercial Director from IMPERIAL Retail Logistics.

"Rangers are, and will always be key to our operation as a national park and their efforts for the last few years wherein rhino poaching has escalated to an unprecedented scale in the country cannot be overlooked. We are delighted to have partners like IMPERIAL Retail Logistics coming on board to motivate our field rangers during this very difficult times" said General Johan Jooste, Officer Commanding of Special Projects in his response message.

The Kruger National Park is divided into 22 ranger sections, each section managed by a Section Ranger who is assisted by an average of 20 field rangers. Gone are those days where rangers use to look after the park and on daily basis, by conducting daily patrols, looking out for snares, signs of poaching activity and report on other eventualities such as erosion, alien plants and the total integrity of our environment only, today they are anti-poaching force. Law enforcement and community relations are some of the efforts that also form part of the rangers’ duties.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

Adopt, So Our Rhino Don’t Die!

Here is your chance to help save the rhino!

The Adopt So Our Rhino Don’t Die campaign was recently launched , and has SANParks, Bavaria 0.0% and South Africa’s Big 5 Retailers (Woolworths, SPAR, Shoprite Checkers, Massmart and Pick n Pay) cooperating to make a difference in the fight against rhino poaching.

Senior general manager of SANParks fund-raising, Bryn Pyne-James, who initiated the campaign, says that while the idea came from SANParks, Bavaria added the necessary spark to make it happen.

The campaign allows the public to adopt a rhino for R20. Alternatively, you can buy a six-pack of Bavaria 0.0% alcohol, regular or fruit-flavoured malt drinks to get your special barcode, in which case the retailer and Bavaria will each donate R10.

The campaign is the first to carry the official SANParks fund-raising seal.

This means all money will be held in a ring-fenced trust fund that will go directly to rhino anti-poaching activities.

The fund will also be made available to any conservancy that applies for assistance.

Edna Molewa, minister of water and environmental affairs, endorsed the Adopt So Our Rhino Don’t Die campaign by saying, “It is an honour and a plivilege to be standing here on this historic occasion, but i have mixed emotions.

“I am filled ith extreme sadness based on my knowledge of the carnage we are currently facing with this senseless slaughtering of our rhino. On the other hand, I am delighted to know that help is at hand and that at last South Africans across the land will unite to make a difference, and protect the world’s natural heritage for generations to come.”

Stijn Swinkels, family board member of Bavaria Brewery, commented, “The plight of the rhino really touched me. This is about keeping your identity and national pride alive.If we can deploy something as simple as our products reach and accessibility to make people stop and think about this, then I want to stand up for that.”

Ivan Oertle, Woolworths specialist buyer, commented, “We at Woolworths have always believed in doing the right thing and in this case it is collaborating with Bavaria, SANParks and our competitors to bring hope to the worlds last remaining wild rhino population. We urge our customers to support the Adopt So Our Rhino Don’t Die initiative.”

Mark Robinson, group liquor manager, said, “On behalf of the SPAR Group Ltd, I would like to applaud SANParks CEO, Dr David Mabunda, and of course Bavaria 0.0%, For what is undoubtedly and hopefully an initiative that will go a long way in protecting one of our country’s very rare and threatened assets and a part of our heritage.”

“This is a fantastic initiative by Bavaria 0.0%. We are pleased to join other retailers in assisting SANParks to make a difference in the fight against rhino poaching,” added Jonathan Koff, Makro liquor executive, Massmart.

Pyne-James says the aim is to sell 20 million adoptions worldwide. “We encourage everyone to take virtual ownership of a bit of our natural heritage, and in doing so, help us to save the rhino from extinction.”

HOW TO ADOPT YOUR OWN

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     Visit www.sanparks.org and click on the “adopt” button to access the adoption page.

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     Payment can be made by Credit Cardonline, via a R20SMS or by buying a six-pack of Bavaria 0.0% alcohol at any participating Big 5 retailers (Woolworths, SPAR, Shoprite Checkers, Massmart and Pick n Pay). In this case the Big 5 retailers and Bavaria will jointly pay for your adoption. SMS the keyword “Rhino” to 34061. Bavaria and the retailer will pay for the adoption on your behalf. SMS costs R2. A unique will be sent back via SMS for you to verify.

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     Each proud rhino parent receives a personalised adoption certificate via email, which means no money is wasted on packaging, postage or gifts.    

Three Suspects Found With Elephant Tusks

On Saturday, 7th December 2013, In the Punda Maria area during a joint stop and search of vehicles moving in and out of the Kruger National Park, three suspects transporting two cut up elephant tusks weighing approximately 80 kilograms to Mozambique were arrested.

A fourth suspect, who allegedly found and illegally picked up the tusks from a carcass close to Punda Maria, was later followed up and has been arrested.

Three of the suspects have thus far made confessions. Investigations are continuing and all efforts are being made to locate the carcass which is believed to have died of natural causes.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

On Safari With Mark From 2 December 2013

Route over the past 3 days has been similar:

Napi - doispan - Albaseni - Napi - H3 - S114 - Napi - Nkambeni

Over the past three days the general normal sightings have been:

Kudu, giraffe, impala, warthog, steenbok, common duiker, klipspringer, waterbuck, chackma baboons, vervet monkeys, Hyena, hippos, herds of buffalo and elephant and Nile crocodiles.

2 December 2013

Highlights:

On the late drive we came across a side striped jackal on the road. After spending time with it we drove off and approximately 200m past the jackal we found a male cheetah scent marking his territory. Eventually walking out onto the road right in front of our open vehicle.

On the way back to camp, we found a young leopard walking across the road towards shitlhave. Great sighting as we were the only car with it.

3 December 2013

Highlights:

On the morning drive we heard about a young female leopard that had just caught a impala lamb 1.3kms from napi on the watergat. We found her 3m off the road busy eating. Guests got great photos.

Further to this the day was rather quiet with only general game been viewed.

4 December 2013

Highlights:

On the morning drive we heard about a female leopard with her two cubs that had just caught a male impala approximately 7kms from napi on the H3. We drove down and found them eating approximately 5m from the road. Guests enjoyed it and all could get great photos of them.

On the afternoon drive, The only report on lions that was worth going for was 200m from napi on S114. All 3 female lions lying literally on the road.

Tomorrow we leave Nkambeni and overnight at skakuza. Hope to get some great rhino sightings as the new clients haven't got this beautiful animal close to the road and all sightings have been distant sightings.

5 December 2013

Route: Nkambeni - napi - H3 - napi - skakuza

General animals seen:

Elephants, Kudu, impala and warthog

No highlight sightings to report as today's weather has been raining and windy. All the animals have moved off the roads and in sheltered area's. We decided to end the day early as guests wanted to do some shopping at skakuza.

6 December 2013

Route: skakuza - tshokwane tar - S100 - satara

General sightings were:

Kudu, steenbok, warthog, giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra, impala, waterbuck, hippos, chackma baboons, vervet monkeys, bushbuck, common duiker, elephant and buffalo.

Highlight sightings were:

1 male cheetah scent marking his territory on the Tshokwane tar and H10 junction. Guests could get good photos as it was very relaxed and not bothered by our presence.

On the afternoon drive we found 2 majestic male lions lying approximately 30m from the road enjoying the setting of the African sun.

7 December 2013

Route: satara - Orpen gate

General animals spotted:

Impala, warthog, giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra and kudu

No highlight sightings as it rained all the way to the gate.

That's all for now till 10th December 2013

Contact Made With Poachers

On Saturday, 7th December 2013, rangers in the Stolsnek section of the Kruger National Park made contact with a group of three suspected rhino poachers on their way out of the park.

During the incident, two suspects were fatally wounded and the third suspect managed to escape arrest.

A hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered during the operation.

No evidence was found of the group having shot any rhino in the Kruger National Park.

Issued by:
South African National Parks