Closure of Water Points in Kruger National Park

[Lisbeth]

http://www.traveller24.com/Explore/Bush ... color][/b]

2018-04-04 09:30 - Gabi Zietsman

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced that they will be demolishing the Kanniedood dam in Kruger National Park in conjunction with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) from 8 to 20 April. This is part of a long-term rehabilitation project in which the park has been closing artificial water points for animals.

The area around the dam - which is about 9km south-east of Shingwedzi Camp - will be cleared of humans and animals to ensure safety and all roads in the area will be closed from 6 to 23 April. These roads include the S50 gravel road from S50 and S143 junction in Mooiplaas up to S50 and S134 junction in Shingwedzi.

Besides SANParks' rangers and SANDF, Working on Fire will be on standby in case of a fire. An aircraft will also be flying over the area before detonation to ensure all tourists have vacated the vicinity.

"Artificial water holes where water did not previously occur naturally have led to numerous ecological problems such as erosion and other environmental degradation. This also resulted in a negative consequence for the rare herbivore species such as roan and sable antelope, increasing grazing competition by the more abundant herbivores”, explains William Mabasa, general manager for SANParks' Communications and Marketing.

“With the continuous research data at our disposal, we have gradually changed our outlook on biodiversity management over the years. With this data available, policies and procedures can be revisited and revised; and this is evident in the change in policy regarding water distribution in the park.”

See below the area that will be affected around the dam:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kanni ... 2?hl=it-IT

[Richprins]

List of waterholes to be upgraded:

CROCODILE BRIDGE/LOWER SABIE
Gomondwane

HOUTBOSCHRAND
Bangu

KINGFISHERSPRUIT
Talamati

LETABA
Malopenyana

MAHLANGENI
Tsale

MALELANE
Renoster Pan

MOOIPLAAS
Bowker’s Kop
Eendrag
Frazer’s Rus
Grysbok
Nshawu No. 2

N’WANETSI
Kumana (Kumana-West?)

PAFURI
Nkovakulu

PHALABORWA
Ngwenyeni (Phalaborwa No. 1)
N’wanetsi
Masorini

PUNDA MARIA
Klopper Fontein
Magamba
Punda Maria

SATARA
Girivana
Mhisana Mond
Satara
Shibotwana
Welverdiend

SHANGONI
Dili

SHINGWEDZI
Shingwedzi

SKUKUZA
De Laporte
Kwaggas Pan

STOLS NEK
Komapiti

TSHOKWANE
Manzimhlope

VLAKTE PLAAS
Babalala
N’warihlangari South

WOODLANDS
Bateleur
N’wambu

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kruger.sanparks/#

Which of these are closed and which open now? Anybody know? In 2015 the red were dead and blue working.

[Dzombo]

RP, top of your page says upgraded, not demolished.
Don't recall seeing some of these on the list

[Richprins]

These were waterholes scheduled for "reopening" in the drought, Dzombs.

A few pages back.

[Dzombo]

These were waterholes scheduled for "reopening" in the drought, Dzombs.

A few pages back.

Ah, I see
Missed that

[Richprins]

Here's an interesting list, waterhole closure is not a new thing!


Boreholes Closed In Kruger

The Kruger National Park has been implementing a new policy regarding artificial waterpoints in recent years. Starting in the 1930s, more than 360 boreholes were drilled and 50 dams constructed. This water for game programme has now been reversed, and many boreholes have been shut.

The closeness of the water points is thought by some to be a major factor in the rapid growth of Kruger's elephant population. It is generally agreed by a variety of ecologists that the closure of the waterholes will result in an increase in the park's biodiversity.


Borehole Section Drill Date Date Closed


Mavumbye Satara 1950-01-01 1972
Machayipan Pafuri 1961-01-01 1980
Nsemane Satara 1950-01-01 1982
Rhilazeni Satara 1950-01-01 1982
Sweni Nwanetsi 1950-01-01 1982
Olienhoutfontein Pretoriuskop 1976-11-02 1989
Bvumanyundu Pafuri 1964-09-08 1990
Rhidonda Phalaborwa 1975-01-01 1991
Mack Crocodile Bridge 1976-08-31 1992
Rietpan Tshokwane 1983-01-01 1994
Metsimetsi Tshokwane 1971-07-12 1995
Ribbokrand Tshokwane 1973-01-01 1995
Ruigtevlei Skukuza 1975-04-25 1995
Koorsboom Pafuri 1980-03-01 1996
Kremetart Pafuri 1975-09-13 1996
Buffeldoring Crocodile Bridge 1973-01-01 1998
Bejane Skukuza 1971-08-01 1999
Biyamite West Pretoriuskop 1965-07-01 1999
Jock Malelane 1973-01-01 1999
Kirkman Pretoriuskop 1950-01-01 1999
Lushof Tshokwane 1976-08-17 1999
Manyahule Skukuza 1970-08-01 1999
Mavukani Stolsnek 1965-10-01 1999
Mikstok Stolsnek 1976-10-16 1999
Mlambane West Stolsnek 1973-01-01 1999
Môrester Pretoriuskop 1976-10-28 1999
Newu Stolsnek 1965-11-01 1999
Ngwenyeni Stolsnek 1965-07-01 1999
Nkombanine Stolsnek 1969-07-01 1999
Nwatindlopfu N Tshokwane 1962-07-01 1999
Peru North Houtboschrand 1958-01-01 1999
Sithungwane Pretoriuskop 1965-07-01 1999
Vutomi Boloop Tshokwane 1969-07-01 1999
Shitlhave Pretoriuskop 1965-07-01 1999

http://www.krugerpark.co.za/krugerpark- ... 21853.html

[Lisbeth]

That's a lot I hope that the result is the right one

[Flutterby]

Aired on 50/50 in November 2018.

https://youtu.be/GP-KxbBcvGE

[Lisbeth]

All this sounds very well and very ecological although there are several "buts".

Aren't they doing this too quickly? Nature needs a lot of time to take over from a man-made system.

All the rivers in the park are coming from the outside; are they being controlled along the way into the park against pollution, dams made for agricultural reasons, which lower the level of the water and other devilries that might happen along their "route"? Especially the pollution is dangerous especially if there are no alternatives for the animals. And then of course there the mining companies also using the water of rivers and the fencelines

Let's only hope that Sanparks has not made a wrong decision at the wrong moment....again

[Alf]

I think the only reason for this is job creation and who can fill their pockets