Kruger National Park

Lions gather for a drink in Kruger (FB/Bernhard Bekker,)

Kruger National Park: Three new strategies being used to stop poachers

Happy rangers, less danger? Kruger National Park officials are determined to put their staff first in the battle against poaching.

Kruger National Park

Lions gather for a drink in Kruger (FB/Bernhard Bekker,)

Kruger National Park section ranger Andrew Desmet has declared war on animal poachers using his reserve as their hunting ground.

Addressing the media earlier this week, the veteran of conservation spoke about the threats to both wildlife and serving officers in KNP. He revealed that poaching attacks happen “daily” and are becoming deadly in nature.

Just last month, a ranger and his unit had approached a group of poachers, who then opened fire and a shootout ensued where he was gunned down. He later died while being transported to the hospital.

Desmet has outlined three key areas where Kruger National Park officials are looking to bolster their options, so they can come down like the hammer of Thor on these criminals.

What is Kruger National Park doing to stop poaching?

Ranger welfare

First and foremost, park officials are going to take more care and consideration with their staff. Not only are they putting their lives on the line, but there’s also the potential for some employees to “cross-over”.

That refers to rangers being bribed into working alongside the poachers. The market is a lucrative one, and usually, poachers can only succeed if they’ve got a bit of inside help.

A recent conference in Hoedspruit addressed the need to keep the park’s rangers happy. Increased support packages and improved wellbeing programmes were touted as solutions to incentivise all staff into staying on the straight and narrow.

Aerial support

KNP now has three ultra-light aircraft operating in the area. They fly every day for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of six hours a day, depending on what is happening on the ground, as well as the weather.

This is part of a wider pilot project in the Kruger National Park, which aims to use more technology in its bid to keep the Big Five safe. Thermal imaging cameras and biometric scanners are among some of the more hi-tech advances in the region

Desmet explained why it’s beneficial to have an eye in the sky:

“Our focus now is anti-poaching because that is our priority. We need to get a proper lid on the poaching, and I think we are doing a sterling job. The visibility of the aircraft deters poachers from coming in.”

Increased sponsorship

A joint venture run by SATIB Insurance Brokers and the Game Rangers Association of Africa is going along towards strengthening efforts to stop poaching. Again, with the focus on the rangers, it seems like the holistic approach is considered the best way forward.

The “Ranger Protect” fund goes towards the upkeep of the park and also finances the families of workers who are injured – or even killed – while protecting the wildlife. Donating to this cause also enables KNP to look at employing more staff, tightening their ring of security around the reserve.