54 rhino poaching suspects arrested in Kruger National Park in October 2014

South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced the arrest of six suspected poachers and the fatal wounding of two others in two separate operations. In the first operation, Crocodile Bridge Rangers made contact with three suspected rhino poachers. In the ensuing pursuit, two were fatally wounded and the third managed to escape back into Mozambique. A hunting rifle, ammunition and other hunting equipment was recovered on the scene.

In the second operation, six suspects were arrested by the SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit, with the support of the SAPS, in a follow up operation outside the western boundary of the Kruger National Park (KNP). A hunting rifle, ammunition and two cars were confiscated. The arrests follow two weeks of successful operations, resulting in 35 suspected poachers being taken into custody and brings the total arrests in the KNP for the month of October to a record 54.

The KNP has experienced an increase in armed incursions recently, resulting in 14 contacts between armed poaching gangs and Joint Forces consisting of SANParks Rangers, SAPS and SANDF.

The latest arrests bring the total for the year within the KNP to 144. This is the highest number of suspected poachers arrested in the KNP to date.

Commenting on the latest situation in the KNP, the Acting Chief Executive of SANParks, Dr Nomvuselelo Songelwa, praised the actions of the SANParks rangers, and the SAPS and SANDF forces engaged in the fight against rhino poaching: “I would like to thank the men and women of our Joint Forces for the courage and tenacity they have shown in the fight to safeguard the rhino population in the KNP. We are very proud of them and their actions. We are focused on winning this war at all costs and I can promise South Africans that we will leave nothing to chance in protecting our rhino in this iconic park and in our other national parks” concluded Songelwa.

Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communications

On Safari With Karen From 21 October 2014

21 October 2014

This morning it was time to pack up and leave Nkambeni Safari Camp, as it was time to move on. On the road out of camp we started by spotting two elephants in the distance. Then on the tar road a giraffe was walking around with a baby giraffe by her side. Well, by her side not really, as when the mum walked off the baby kept on standing behind a tree. When a male giraffe arrived at the seen and checked if the mum was ready to mate again by sniffing her bum, the baby looked quickly around the tree before disappearing in the other direction.

We decided it was our last chance to see the leopard cubs, so we went to visit them straight away. And oh boy, were we lucky this morning. All three of them were out and it was all playtime and adventure for these three little ones. With mum gone they dared to venture more and more away from their den hole, and they were chasing each other, climbing tree stalks (falling down them too), trying to catch each other, pushing each other off rocks or out of trees. It was a wonderful sight to see those three cubs explore the big wild world. So we spend the rest of the early morning sitting with these wonderful leopard cubs! Ok, we had a little bit of attention leftover for the slender mongoose that crossed the rock nearby, but the rest was devoted to the three musketeers.

When playtime was clearly over, as the cubs started to fall asleep on sight and one by one disappeared into their den hole, we took leave from the sighting and went for a little coffee break at Pretoriuskop. We would spend the night here later, but as it was still too early to check-in we set off again to see some other parts of the park.

Once again we spotted a mummy warthog with two tiny little piglets. Babies was definitely a theme this morning! Furthermore we saw elephants, plenty of wildebeest, zebras and a secretary bird before we turned down the H3. To stick to the special birds theme we then saw some ground hornbills too, as well as more elephants and some white rhinos (including a mum and a baby, still keeping the theme here).

Just before we got to Afsaal we had an amazing sighting of this big white rhino bull which had an itch. And not just one itch. He was scratching his belly, and all around his backside over this little bush. All that popped to mind is Balou in Disney's Jungle Book, which in his Bear Necessities song finds a tree to scratch!

After an early lunch break at Afsaal we decided to go take a look down at the Mlambane river before returning to Pretoriuskop. We weren't planning on staying long, but we got distracted by this big herd of elephants. First we saw only one, but we could hear plenty more of them in the bush. It was rather ghostly as we saw trees move, heard branches break and even heard munching and some "tummy rumble" sounds elephants make to communicate. Then one started crossing, and slowly more and more came out of the bush and followed. There were elephants of all ages and sizes, a teenie tiny baby (another one for the theme), youngsters, teens and adults and elderly. One very big elephant was intending to feed the youngsters some fresh green leaves as in 1...2...3...big pushes and she was pushing over a large tree! It was right next to the road, great to see and luckily she pushed it away

from us ;). Then bit by bit they all moved off and so we set off again, making our way back to Pretoriuskop.

Back up the H3 and then Napi we had plenty of sightings. We saw lots of elephants (no young babies this time), a klipspringer, giraffes, zebras, a brilliant male warthogs showing off his tusks, kudus and let's not forget the impalas! While checking in the guests enjoyed watching the vervet monkeys huddling together in camp as it started to cool down and they were getting ready for the night. A tiny little vervet monkey was shared between the mother and some aspiring mothers before it got tucked away between mum's nipples to have a drink. It was the end of another great day of this 7-day safari.

22 October 2014

Today we started wet, as it had started to rain earlier this morning. Trying not to let it bother us, we once again packed up and set off for a final drive down Napi. We didn't get far before we had our first sighting of the day: a leopard in a tree. It was the same tree as two days ago at the end of the day, so probably the same leopard. However we spotted only one leopard this time. After looking at her in the tree for a bit, she had enough of the onlookers and jumped out of the tree. We saw her again sitting on a little termite mount further into the drainage line, but then she started moving towards the road. Slowly she walked down into the drainage line and had a little bit to drink of the water. Then suddenly she sprinted across and hid herself away in the lush green bushes on the other side of the road. Leopard gone, we were on the road again.

Shortly after we saw a small herd of buffalos lying down close to the road and as one of the mothers was still standing, a little calf was taking the opportunity to have some milk. Not sure if the cow gave still milk though as the calf had to hit the udder quite hard a couple of times, but it didn't seem to bother the cow. We also had a couple of white rhino sightings. A baby was drinking from her mother here too, but it seemed to be a lot more gentle than the buffalo calf.

Down the road we saw some wildebeest, impalas, our second secretary bird (but might be the same one as yesterday), zebras, a shouting red crested korhaan, black headed oriole, a so far unidentified blind snake, a juvenile bateleur and just before breakfast we had a glimpse of another leopard walking down the road parallel but in the dense bush.

We enjoyed our breakfast at the Skukuza Golfclub, where in the end the hippos came to greet us too. We then left on our way to Satara. We first drove over Ellooff, where a leopard tortoise took its time crossing the road. We also saw a large troop of baboons on the H1-2, including a mother with a tiny baby. Yeah, I know, lots of babies this tour!

A quick pitstop at Tshokwane before continuing on the H1-3, but we didn't get far. A big male lion was having a meal out of a zebra. It looked like a very fresh kill, and the male was making the most of it. Somehow it seemed impossible he ate it all though and the answer to get came after watching the male feast for quite some time: one by one the females of the pride as well as some youngsters came walking over the hill in the background. Well, I say walking, but it looked more like dragging or staggering. They were so full the bellies were protruding like big balloons and it showed in there ability to walk. They laid down in a big huddle and started washing the blood from their paws. We counted at least 8 females and youngsters walking into view as well as another male that kept a bit more distance, and not to forget the massive male that was still feasting on the leftover zebra when we left the sighting an hour later.

Now I almost forget to mention that while watching those lions we also saw plenty of white backed vultures waiting for some scraps (but we were pessimistic they would get some) and three blackbacked jackals. When it was just the male feeding on the zebra two of those jackals were rather brave and came quite close to the male and his kill. One even stole a bit. But as soon as the rest of the pride turned up the jackals resided to waiting on the sidelines.

When we finally set off again we drove to Satara without many stops. There weren't many animals around in this windy and rainy weather, or maybe they just thought we had seen enough. But we did get to see two groups of 4 ground hornbills (one in a tree, and then flying down, one further on just sticking to the ground), another crossing leopard tortoise, lots of giraffes, some live zebras and wildebeest. And to prove carnivore animals have a varied diet we found skeletons of giraffe, wildebeest and buffalo all quite close to the road.

We checked in at Satara where the guests tonight had their evening safari. They were lucky enough to see even more lions tonight, two lots of them (they said about 10 more lions are added to their count), one including two big male lions playing. They also saw a herd of elephants with babies, a herd of buffalos, hyenas, spotted eagle owl and some unidentified animals.

23 October 2014

Before we had even left this morning we already had our first sighting as a family of banded mongoose was breaking into the camp. Most of them got away with sneaking in through a hole in the fence, but one or two actually got zapped by the electric wires. OUCH! And the spark scared off some of the members of the family too. We sat watching them playing for a bit before continuing, and spotting a vervet monkey on the roof of the kitchen and his friend just jumped up clearly having something stolen from that area. And all that before we were even out of the gate of Satara.

Across the gate were 3 giraffes and not far down the road two hyenas were spotted (no pun intended). Furthermore down towards Tshokwane on the H1-3 we saw Burchell's coucal, magpie shrikes, plenty more giraffes, a sadlebilled stork, and two more young hyenas. And then a long stretch of nothing.

Just before Tshokwane there was some life again with zebras, lots of wildebeest, a kori bustard came walking by, a martial eagle and a bushbuck was feeding across the river while we had breakfast.

After breakfast we settled in for a drive down the H10 to Lower Sabie. First we stopped at the two Mlondozi Lookout points (Nkumbe viewsites), to take some pictures of the beautiful view and we spotted some giraffes and zebras in the distance. Then it was down through the plains where we spotted plenty of wildebeest, even more zebra, twice a reedbuck, slender mongooses sitting still long enough for pictures and a black chested snake eagle flying away with a live snake in his beak! And we saw so many warthogs on this road, we stopped counting. But none of them stood still long enough with its face towards us for a picture. Or we weren't quick enough to take one, that's more likely...

We stopped watching an old bull elephant pushing over a tree for two younger bulls to feed off the top. When the tree didn't completely fall over right away, after using his head, he used his feet to push it down completely. Very handy creatures, those elephants, using every tool that is at their disposal! We also saw a herd of elephants later on and an ostrich family consisting of mum, dad and at least 7 offspring. But the little ostriches kept on moving around in the grass that is just as tall, so it was difficult to count them. Oh and not to forget we saw a red crested korhaan trying to impress a female. He had his crest all up and bright, jumping up and down in excitement and cooing to the lady. Unfortunately the lady though, she didn't seem too impressed. He kept on going for quite a while and then took a run at her. Well, she would have none of that! She spread her wings and took off, with the male instantly following in pursuit...

Lunch was eaten at Lower Sabie and then we stopped at Sunset dam, where the crocodiles were floating in the water or lying on the shores, yellow-billed storks were feeding, an openbill was snoozing, and so were the hippos, and a grey heron was snoozing on the bum of a hippo who didn't seem to mind.

Then further on we suddenly spotted a lion in the bush just past Sunset Dam. He was walking through the bushes and sometimes lying down. And another one showed and a little bit later we even saw a third. We stopped at an open spot in the hope they would walk across for a good picture, and so they did. But we got more then we bargained for as we suddenly noticed some impalas. We pulled forward as the lions started stalking and then made a half-hearted attempt at the impala. No luck, but they did come out of the bush and started walking in the road. First just the two of them, later all three. We had some good shots in the beginning, but then let some other cars pass to take a chance. Then the third one came through the cars and kept on walking alongside us in the traffic jam (which had grown in great length by now), sometimes lying down and getting back up to follow its brothers. The three young males were followed by about 40 cars, give or take a few, for a walk down the road that took them an hour. After 1,5 hours of following their every move, the walked down into the riverbed and we finally decided to leave them.

After that it was a straight run down to Skukuza. We did see another new animal: a hinged tortoise in the middle of the road. But also plenty of the ones we had seen before: hippos, buffalos, a large family of vervet monkeys with a newborn baby, elephants, steenboks, guineafowls, kudus including some nice bulls, waterbucks and of course, impalas!

At dinnertime we had some nice sounds of the bush surrounding us as various frogs, toads and bushbabies were letting us know they were there!

24 October 2014

Today we had breakfast when the restaurant opened after which we packed up and set off for our last safari. We drove down Kruger road and Doispane to Phabeni Gate. We did see some last animals like impalas, kudus, elephants and buffalos. We took some last pictures and then in was time to leave the Park.

After an eventful drive down to Nelspruit as a truck full of sugar had fallen over on a very busy crossroads, we arrived safely in Nelspuit. Here we said goodbye to Hennie, Jan, Charlotte and Dirk. I hope you had a great safari and when you get home, and look at the pictures, you'll know how lucky you have been with all your sightings! Watching those pictures will make you go on safari all over again.

On safari with Curtis from 19 October 2014

19 October 2014

The start of a new tour and after driving down from Nelspruit we checked in to Nkambeni lodge. The first activity was a sundowner drive which is a nice relaxing way for the guests to acclimatize to the safari way of life. Luckily after a week of rain the sun had come out and everyone got to see a beautiful sunset overlooking the dam where pods of hippos are getting ready to leave the water for their evening munch. On the drive back to the lodge impala, kudu, buffalo, rhino and giraffe were spotted.

20 October 2014

The next morning, after a good cooked breakie it was time to get out on the road. Straight away on numbi we came upon three separate sightings of buffalo. First two dagga boys and then a small herd and then a much larger herd of more than a hundred. Immediately after two male elephants crossed the road in front of us and further along we found a group of giraffe. We headed to the spot where the leopard cubs have been seen recently, but before that another great elephant sighting, this time a female herd with a tiny little baby just a few months old. At the leopard den we were to be disappointed as the cubs were hidden away from all the cars outside. Although disappointed by this we would forget this blow by the end of the day. Along Napi it was fairly quiet with few sightings of elephant, buffalo,impala, kudu and a couple of steenbok. A fellow guide informed us of a lion sighting so we made haste and headed that way. We were in luck as as we drove onto the bridge we found four lions sat on the bank, to our left. Three lionesses and a lovely black - manned male lion. As one lioness got up and disappeared into the shade something caught my eye to the right and as I turned I saw a leopard walking out of the grass and across the river bed before disappearing back into the grass. With the excitement of seeing the leopard we, just for a minute, forgot about the lions which one by one got up and moved away from view. After all the joy of seeing the two cats at the same sighting we moved off down to Skukuza for a quick break.

Back on the road we headed down along the sabie river where we found African wild dog. Two deep in the bush and then eight others close to the road. At first they just were lying down resting but then they all jumped up and enabled us a much better sighting. From then on, all the way to lower sabie we had lots of wonderful elephants and plenty of hippos, baboons and vervets on the road as well as the impalas, kudus and Bushbuck. We stopped at sunset dam to look at the hippo and lots of crocodiles and also spend a bit of time looking at the birdlife around the water which included plovers and lapwings, storks and herons and those very noisy geese.

At lunch I was informed off a possible cheetah sighting just a short drive from lower sabie so after lunch we headed straight down there. We were lucky to find them hiding in the shade of a tree. We were informed that there were three but we only spotted two. Although they spent most of the time in the grass. They were kind enough to sit up occasionally giving us the opportunity to get some nice photos.

Time to head back to the lodge and as we drove back down the river we found a young male lion lying hidden. It seemed like he was trying to hunt impala but was quickly spotted and so started to walk along the river bank. We spent ten minutes or so following him before he moved into the reeds. Further along we found more ellies and a mother and calf rhino before we came across another lion sighting,  this time two females taking cover from the sun which was now burning down on us. We were now running out of time and so we just drove pointing out all the ellies and buffalo,  impala, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and Warthog we saw along the way. We did stop a couple of times for rhinos and we had one final surprise as we came across two more leopards. One sat in a tree and the second sat at the bottom of it. Unfortunately time was running out and we had to make a dash for the gate before we got locked in.

21 October 2014

This morning we drove with the intention of hopefully finding the leopard cubs at their den. We passed buffalo, zebra and giraffe before we actually got to the den. Once there we were in luck as all three tiny cubs were outside playing a game of rough and tumble with each other. There was not too many cars at the sighting but as you can imagine this is a rare sighting and everyone wants to get some great pictures. Patience was needed and it took over half an hour before we were in a prime position to enjoy the sighting. As the number of cars decreased we were allowed to enjoy this beautiful sighting for an hour more watching  as the three cubs stalked and pounced on each other, playing around as all kittens do, getting valuable practice in for when they are much bigger. A truly great sighting which the guests and myself will relive time and time again. Finally we decided it was time in giving others an opportunity to view the cubs and we headed down Napi. We got lots of general game, all the different antelopes as well as three big bull ellies who were debating with each other who had dominance. When they had finally agreed they then went about their own business which means they resumed eating. We also had a first glimpse of a klipspringer for this tour as well as a few very nice rhino sightings close to the road. 

But this morning belonged to three tiny little leopard cubs!!!!

This afternoon we went out for a just short drive. Firstly we headed down Napi where we found a couple of buffalo in the drainage line but then our attention was turned to a hyena which moved off quite abruptly as the buffalo got closer. We watched as he found a nice bush to lie back down and got little more than the occasional head looking up. We then turned around and headed back to the leopard den. This afternoon the cubs weren't in such a playful way with just one popping it's head up and looking around. The other two were hiding with mum further in the bush and after quite a bit of time and effort searching for them we spotted mum. Unfortunately it was the briefest of looks as she sloped away into the undergrowth.

22 October 2014

This morning we welcomed two new guests to the tour and after breakfast headed out on another drive. Immediately along numbi we spotted plenty of animals all enjoying some fresh greens such as zebra, wildebeest, warthog, buffalo, impala and kudu. Along Napi we had some good elephant sightings both of bachelor groups and also female herds. Then we came across a lovely crash off three rhino close to the road including a young calf just a few months old. After this we turned around and headed down to shithave dam where we found a male lion lying on the dam wall. We sat watching him for quite a time but not much movement, just the occasional head looking up and rolling over and a couple of stretches. Not even a hippo or a Waterbuck could interest him. Then it was time to say goodbye to Michael and Liz, it was great having you on the tour and I know just how much you have enjoyed yourself on safari. Hope you find the time to go through all those photos you took!!!

This afternoon just a short drive around the area where we found baboons, vervets monkeys, common duiker, steenbok, common reedbuck and giraffe as well as lots of buffaloes and a herd of elephants down at the dam.

23 October 2014

Setting off this morning, with a cup of coffee in the guests hand, we headed down Napi where we found impala, elephant, kudu and a nice herd of buffalo to start with. We then came up to the flat rocks where we found a couple of stationary vehicles, after scouting around we found their point of interest. 4 hyenas relaxing in the grass close to the road. We watched as they just chilled before one by one they moved off out of view. Carrying on we came across more antelope and a couple of elephants before taking a turn down to Transport dam. The dam was relatively quiet today with just the hippos, a few impala and the water birds. Planning to stop at the golf course for breakie we took a detour where we found four more hyena lying next to the road. A fifth was hiding in the grass but we saw nothing than its ear. Again we watched until they disappeared into the grass. Carrying on we came upon two rhino sighting, the first a lone male relaxing in the dirt and then two more close by. We turned onto Kruger road where we got the first two amazing cat sightings today. It started with one of the guests shouting "stop" because there on the right was a huge male leopard spraying a bush in his territory. We turned the vehicle as he walked to the road and crossed in front of us. As he walked into the grass on the other side it appeared it was going to be a brief sighting but this fellow had other ideas!!! He started to walk parallel to the road sometimes coming close and then walking a bit further into the bush. We therefore were able to anticipate his direction and could position the car, around all the others by this time, in the more open spaces getting some shots of him. At one stage he climbed up on a small rock and posed for us before walking within a meter of the car and looking up at us. After roughly thirty minutes and 1.3kms he had enough and crossed over the road again and moved into the bush to end a great viewing. He gave us such an opportunity to get a great photo or actually about 300 as my guests managed.

We stopped off at the golf course for breakie and while eating watched as the hippos came out of the water and stood on the sand bank as well as making a lot of hippo noise.

Back on the road we headed down along the river spotting our first Bushbuck and nyala for these guests. Seeing endless hippos and buffalo and a nice herd of elephants cross the road while we tried to take a photo of the impressive horns on a kudu, who by the way was very camera shy and hid behind an acacia tree.
We then heard about three cape clawless otters down at sabie bridge so we headed down there but to no luck, however it did give us an opportunity to see a couple of crocs sunbathing on the sandbanks.
We then headed to lunch at lower sabie where elephants and hippos could be seen from the restaurant deck. As we set back the way we came Karen called to say she had found lions just a couple of kilometers down the road so we made haste only to find them well hidden in the bush. We waited hoping that they would get up and move closer and our hopes were answered as slowly two adolescent males moved closer to us with a third just behind. They continued to move closer until they were standing next to the car on the road. For the next 5 kilometers and for nearly an hour we were able to follow them as they walked along the road. On a couple of occasions they took the opportunity to try and hunt impala both times failing miserably as the impala spotted them and alarmed call. Every now and again they would stop and we were able to drive up next to them and admire them as close as it gets. Having said that having a male lion look at you at eye level in an open vehicle can get the heartbeat beating a little bit quicker. Finally they started to walk into the bush and this was our cue to move on. After such an encounter time was running out and we had to make haste so we just drove. Sometimes it is nice to just sit and watch as the scenery passes you by and see what you can see. Endless amounts of impala, kudu and hippo we passed as well as a troop of baboons and vervets on the road before we turned onto Napi. This road was quiet this afternoon but we did find a nice sighting of klipspringer and lots of general game.

A great day out with lots of great sightings but with two encounters with the cats that no one will ever forget.

24 October 2014

After the success of the last couple of days we were in the lucky position of being able to be very choosy in the sightings we stopped at and so while we drove past a lot of different things we did stop at some very nice sightings. The first was a large bull elephant which was close to the road and hungry, he stopped at a large marula tree reached up stretching as high as he could and snapped down a branch. As everyone had turned off their engines we were able to hear fully the eerie sound of him chewing the branch and then he spat out the outer bark. We then moved onto a sighting of three rhino including the mother and calf. They started to move closer to the road into the open area and we got a look at the little calf which is usually hidden by the grass. As they moved to the road it became apparent they wanted to cross but a vehicle was blocking their way. Mum took a disliking to this and gave the car a slight nudge with her head. Maybe a good story for the driver in the future but not sure the hire car company will think so.  We then came to the flat rocks on Napi and found a traffic jam all looking at a cheetah which was laying down on a termite mound. It was quite far away but with binoculars we could get a clear look. After a break we headed down the river and came to a very interesting sighting of over 100 vultures and marabou stork lying in the sand. Its their favorite place to take a bath!!!

As we came up to lower sabie we found two lion sightings, the second was a group of five. A male and female lying in the shade of a tree with two females and a young male more hidden in the shade of the long grass. The first sighting though was a very different sighting. Two females and two young males had made their way along the river bed up to a large herd of buffalo getting within 30 meters before being seen. This created a standoff for about twenty minutes before the buffalo started to move off. This gave the lions a second opportunity and they took it moving closer and closer to a small group of buffalo which was lying in the water and slightly separated from the rest of herd. At about twenty meters from this smaller group the lions disappeared into the reeds and we waited......and waited....and waited some more!!! Then suddenly the buffaloes started to run. We watched as a buffalo started to run up a slight hill before the two female lions jumped on to its back, one of them biting into its back. The two young males too inexperienced didn't know what to do and stood around. Suddenly the buffalo started to cry out distress calls and then the rest of the herd changed direction turned and ran towards their comrade. Now when hundred tone of buffalo come charging it doesn't matter if you are a fearsome lion you run and that's exactly what these four did. Making their escape up onto some rocks but the buffalo weren't having that as they harassed and chased and challenged the lions on their rock. Eventually it calmed down and the buffalo stood their ground as the lions lay on the rocks with just a few meters separating the two groups of animals by now. We waited for twenty minutes to see what may happen and eventually the buffalo moved off with the lions staying put on the rock.

After lunch we passed the scene again and the buffalo were still there but the lions had taken cover in the reeds not to be seen. We drove back down alone the river stopping for families of baboon's and monkies which never get boring with their antics before we came to our third lion sighting. Two large males sitting next to a kill. They were a fair distance away but we still had a nice look with the binoculars. We then found two hyena next to their den who both moved on quickly into the grass. 
Our final sighting was of two rhino who walked up close into the open and then crossed the road just feet in front of us and then posed for photos on the other side.

25 October 2014

This morning was unfortunately the last day of this safari tour and we set off early to maximize the time we had left. We headed down Napi spotting buffalo and elephant when we heard about a cheetah sighting nearby. When we got to the area we found two cheetahs, the first lying at the side of the road and the second hidden away in the grass. So hidden it took quite a while to locate it. Although the cheetah popped his head up and occasionally looked around the sighting was amazing. Patience was required and so as other safari trucks and the public came and went we stayed put. In fact ourselves and a second vehicle stayed put for two hours and it was just us two who were there to notice a elephant walking along the hill in the far distance. Actually two others noticed the elephant and they were the cheetahs. Why a huge elephant would interest the smallest, most feeble of the large cats is beyond me. But it did and they started to get up and walk with intention. It didn't take too long for common sense to prevail and they decided to go back to their favorite pastime which was relaxing. Finally one of them disappeared into the grass and we left them to it. We went back to Pretoriouskop for some breakie and then a drive down Numbi where we saw impala, zebra, elephant and buffalo before we left the park. Thanks to Eric and Francis for a great five days. I know you enjoyed the wonderful sightings we had especially those of the leopard and lions. Safe travels to Cape Town.

More coming soon!!

Department of Environmental Affairs notes indictment of South Africans in the USA for rhino poaching-related offenses

The Department of Environmental Affairs has noted the indictment of two South Africans by the United States Department of Justice. The indictment of the owners of Out of Africa Adventerous Safaris is noted. We will monitor developments related to the case. 

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, assisted the US Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in their investigation.

The Department understands that there is a criminal case against Dawie Groenewald and 10 co-accused who are expected to stand trial in South Africa in August 2015 on 1 872 charges including racketeering, the illegal trade in rhino horns, fraud, corruption, assault and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Legal action by the United States Attorney General’s Office comes less than a week after the Police and SANParks officials successfully apprehended 14 suspected rhino poachers in joint operations in the Kruger National Park.

“The success of the joint operations undertaken by the SAPS and SANParks is an example of the commitment of South Africa’s police and rangers to work together to eliminate rhino poaching from our country,” said the Department.

The three highly successful operations had been undertaken in the Kruger National Park between Friday, 17 October 2014, and Sunday, 19 October 2014.

The arrest of the 14 suspected rhino poachers brought to 113 the total number of poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park so far this year.

The Department congratulated all those involved in the operations.

The Department is confident that joint operations such as these will send a strong message to all those intent on poaching any species, particularly rhino, in our national parks, provincial reserves and on private conservation land – that they will be caught and face the full might of the law.

The successful arrests in the Kruger National Park came as the number of rhino poached in South Africa since the start of 2014 increased to 899. The Kruger National Park continued to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa, having lost 581 animals since 1 January 2014.

A total of 109 rhinos have been poached in Limpopo, 74 in KwaZulu-Natal, 57 in Mpumalanga and 53 in North West. A second rhino has been poached in the Northern Cape.

Since January 2014, a total of 282 alleged rhino poachers have been arrested. Among these are an alleged rhino poaching syndicate leader.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs