Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
22 March 2024 | 19:58 CAT

Kruger National Park ranger Joe Nkuna says they had to burn more than 80 carcasses of vultures which died after eating a poisoned carcass. Image: Phathu Luvhengo/TimesLIVE

There is a grave concern about the impact of poisoning and snare poaching at the Kruger National Park, one of the most renowned wildlife parks in the world.

According to the Kruger National Park ranger, Joe Nkunaranger, they, in one case, had to burn about 86 vulture carcasses when the birds died after eating a poisoned carcass.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Sanpark’s Rey Thakuli pointed out there is an escalation of animal feedings of poisoned carcasses.

Thakuli explained that a Buffalo was caught in a snare in a particular incident of the vultures. It appears that a portion of meat was taken from the Buffalo, and the Buffalo was laced with poison.

Previously, poison poaching started with people using it for medicinal purposes; however, that has shifted.

Thakuli highlighted that the sudden increase in the poisoning of animals is simply due to greed.

“These are greedy people, who go into the parks and it is not only the Kruger National Park experiencing the problem of animals caught in snares. It also occurs at the Table Mountain National Park and other National Parks as well,” says Thakuli.

During a media tour on Tuesday, SANParks regional ranger Don English and section ranger Richard Sowry briefed journalists about the impact and pressures of poaching in the park.

“If you poison a carcass, anything that goes to the carcass is going to be affected. If you put a snare, anything that walks will be affected,” said English.

He said population growth in areas adjacent to the park and socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, unemployment and crime syndicates have contributed to the increase in poaching.

English said there appears to be a concerted drive by poachers to exterminate the vulture population because the carrion-eating birds detect carcasses.

“We have lost close to 2,000 vultures in the past few years. It has seriously impacted on the ecology of vultures,” English added.

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam International with Muallimah Annisa Essack and Rey Takhuli.