SANParks DRIVER CAUTIONED

In light of the uproar with regards to the recent YouTube video showing a South African National Parks (SANParks) vehicle forcing an elephant and a calf off the road, a full investigation was concluded, which included the studying of the footage, information from the witnesses as well as the account from the driver.

It has to be noted that certain processes were followed to determine exactly what took place and according to law a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. In this case after careful consideration the driver was found not to have transgressed the park rules.

Despite the findings the driver was cautioned and instructed to exercise more caution in the future. SANParks would like to apologise profusely to the visitors who witnessed the incident and encourages more responsible behaviour by employees and visitors alike.

If you wish to report people for breaking rules at the park please contact Johan Nel, Chief Traffic Officer, Skukuza, Tel 0137354370, Cell 0736318682; Email: johannes.nel@sanparks.org or SANParks crime-line 082 908 3053 or KNP's Emergency Call Centre on 013 735 4325

Enquiries:
 
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli: Acting Head of Communication, Tel: 012 426 5170; Cell: 073 373 4999; Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org



OR
 
Ike Phaahla: Media Specialist, Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell :083 673 6974; or Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

SANParks suspends conservation head

Johannesburg - SA National Parks (SANParks) has suspended its head of conservation services Hector Magome, it said on Tuesday.

"We can confirm that SANPark's managing executive... has been put on precautionary suspension," spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said.

He declined to give further details, saying the matter was "not for public consumption".

Thakhuli did, however, confirm that the contract of Pathfinder, a company involved in the collection of rhino poaching information, had been terminated.

"Pathfinder’s contract has been terminated and as an organisation we are not compelled to give reasons for termination of this contract as it is a matter between client and service provider," he said.

Beeld reported that the company's contract was valid until February 2016.

The newspaper reported there was infighting at SANParks, which Thakhuli denied.

"We are not aware of any infighting and we would like to refute these claims in the strongest terms," he said.

- SAPA

 

On Safari With Mark From 2 June 2014

2 June 2014

Route: Doispan - Napi - Nkambeni

General animals seen: impala, kudu, warthog, giraffe, elephant, rhino, waterbuck

Highlights: On our way to camp, we came across a massive herd of buffalo, all blocking the road. This was a fantastic sighting as there was males, females and calf’s all in the road. Guests got great photos

 

3 June 2014

Route: Napi - Elloff - Lower sabi - Elloff - Napi - Nkambeni

General animals seen: impala, waterbuck, kudu, common duiker, warthog, bushbuck, chackma baboon, vervet monkeys, hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffalo, elephants and rhino

Highlights: On Elloff we had 3 juvenile male lions come walking towards us. All 3 of them past our vehicle approximately 3m from us. Guests got photos and we decided to leave them as other cars were following them and this would disturb them if traffic builds up.

Approximately 2kms from lower sabie we found a journey of 17giraffe all spending time eating the acacia trees that lined the riverbed. Brilliant to see so many together.

We still looking for a great pride of lions and that allusive leopard.

 

4 June 2014

Route: Nkambeni - Albaseni - Doispan - Tshokwane tar – Satara

General animals seen: impala, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildbeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, bushbuck, nyala, ostriches, baboons, vervet monkeys, steenbok, common duiker, Cape buffalo, rhinos and elephant.

Highlights: On our way up to Satara we found a female cheetah with her 5 cubs walking parallel with the road. Great to see how the little ones follow her, but still keep to the safety of running from bush to bush in pursuit of their mom. Guests got lovely photos and video of this.

 

5 June 2014

Route: Satara - S100 - S41 - S90 - Satara - H1-4 - Olifants - H1-4 - Satara

General animals seen:  impala, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildbeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, bushbuck, nyala, baboons, vervet monkeys, steenbok, common duiker, Cape buffalo, rhinos and elephant.

Highlights: We drove down the S100 in search of the local pride of lions but found nothing, as we were discussing how the book says this is "Cat country" and how wrong they are, so popped out a lioness right in front of us. Both ladies enjoyed this and could get great photos.

On our return to Satara we found 3 different sightings of black backed jackals and once again enjoyed these all to ourselves.

In the afternoon we spotted a female leopard, stalking an impala. This was great to see as she didn't worry about us but focused only on the prey insight. She exposed herself to quickly and lost the chase but great video was captured by our guests.

 

6 June 2014

Route: Satara - H7 - Orpen gate

General animals seen: impala, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildbeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, ostriches, baboons, monkeys, steenbok, common duiker, Cape buffalo, rhinos and elephant.

 

Highlights: On our way out of the park we got to see a beautiful elephant bull enjoying the apple leaf tree as a back scratch.

As we exited the park on our way to moholoholo, we spotted a male leopard walking along the fence and could pull off and watch this fantastic cat for one last time. Just goes to show it's not over until it's over.

 

More coming soon!!

Poachers Update

Statement by the Department of Environmental Affairs on trade in rhino horn - Since the start of 2014, 442 rhino have been poached in South Africa and 123 suspected poachers arrested.

http://bit.ly/1pbOiRb

Airlink Commences Flights To Skukuza

Airlink has commenced flight operations between Johannesburg and Skukuza and Cape Town and Skukuza. 

 

The return of the scheduled air services to Skukuza allows tourism stakeholder and tourists access to various destinations within the Kruger Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve and other SA national parks, serving as a hub for regional wildlife areas. 

 

Airlink departs Johannesburg at 10h00 and arrives in Skukuza at 10h50. The return flight departs at 13h20 and arrives at 14h35, daily. 

 

The Cape Town – Skukuza flight departs at 10h35 arriving at Skukuza at 13h05. The flight returns, departing at 11h20 and arriving at 13h55, daily. 

 

A second afternoon flight between Johannesburg and Skukuza will commence from August 1, departing at 13h20 and returning at 14h50.