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Kruger National Park Strengthens Community Partnerships to Combat Poaching
The Kruger National Park has credited increased collaboration with local communities for recent successes in anti-poaching efforts but cautioned that the threat remains severe.
Rise in Community Intelligence Aids Anti-Poaching Operations
According to park spokesperson Ike Phaahla, community intelligence has played a critical role in disrupting poaching activities.
“We have had several successes based on intelligence from the community regarding potential poaching activities,” he said.
Phaahla stressed that poaching is not just a conservation issue but a criminal matter that directly affects local communities.
“Some poachers originate from local communities; they could be someone’s brother or father. So, the more we cooperate with the communities, the better. Law enforcement has also come to the party, and we are grateful for their support,” he added.
Ongoing Threat as Rhino Losses Mount
Despite these gains, the park lost 35 rhinos to poaching in January and February alone, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
Bruce Leslie, the park’s special operations regional ranger, said poachers are driven by financial incentives and international crime syndicates remain active.
“Even though we have had success in de-horning our rhinos, there is still a market for them. Organised crime syndicates are in it for monetary value,” Leslie said.
Balancing Conservation and Tourism Amid Resource Constraints
One of the biggest challenges facing the park is managing its limited resources while maintaining a balance between conservation and tourism.
“Our biggest challenge in the park is resources,” Phaahla explained. “We have a two-million-hectare estate that needs protection, but we don’t have enough manpower. At the same time, it’s a tourist destination, so there’s a limit to how visible armed personnel can be in areas where people come to relax.”
Despite these obstacles, Kruger National Park remains committed to strengthening ties with local communities and law enforcement to combat poaching.
“We need to join hands and work together,” Leslie said. “This is a global concern, and protecting these animals is in all our interests.”
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