Kruger Park ranger fired after Roan antelopes die of Thirst

[Richprins]

By
SAPeople -
Jun 23, 2020

Between 12 and 20 rare roan antelope tragically died last year in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, due to dehydration in the Nwaxitsumbe Roan Breeding Camp, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has revealed.

A senior ranger has been dismissed for gross negligence in this regard.

The information was given in response to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question.

DA MP Annerie Weber – Portfolio Committee for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry – said in a press statement on Tuesday that the Department has also indicated that an action plan for safety and security is now being implemented – including weekly visits, and reports on adequate water provision, food availability and functionality of the electrified fences.

Weber said however that the DA however questions why at least 12 Roan antelope had to die before a plan was put in place?

“According to the Wildlife Association, the auction value of one of these animals in 2018 was estimated at R60,000 per animal, whilst a breeding pair is worth even more. This means that the value of the dead animals are between R3 million to R5 million.

“Roan antelope are a scarce and exotic species. The loss of these animals will therefore not only be a financial blow for the Kruger National Park in terms of tourism, but it is also a blow for the environment,” said Weber.

She said: “The DA is appalled by the fact that these animals had to die in such a cruel manner due to thirst. We will keep a close eye on the Park’s implementation of its action plan and its promise that this will never happen again.”

https://www.sapeople.com/2020/06/23/rar ... onal-park/

[Lisbeth]

As always a plan is made when it is too late Again lack of control

Between 12 and 20 rare roan antelope

Can't they count

I wonder how they choose their senior rangers

[Klipspringer]

Here is the source

https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/de ... alpark.pdf


NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION N0.1077 {NW1372E}
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 19 of 2020
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 June 2020
Ref: 0211/512
Ms A M M Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) With reference to her reply to question 468 on 26 March 2020, what number of Roan antelope are In the Kruger National Park;
(2) whether the Roan antelope breeding programme has been discontinued as a result of the Roan antelope that died from dehydration because of not being provided with water; If not, what are the details of the (a) numbers and (b) objectives of the specified programme; if so, what are the
relevant details; and
(3) whether any criminal charges have been laid against the Section Ranger responsible; if not, why not; If so, (a) on what date, (b) at which police station and (c) what is the case number?


1077. THE MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT REPLIES:
(1) An estimated number of between 40 to 50 Roan antelope occur in the whole of the Kruger National Park.
(2) The breeding of Roan antelope is currenHy continuing at the Nwaxitsumbe Breeding Camp. An Action Plan has been developed specifically for the management (safety & security) of the Breeding Camp. The direct responsibility for Implementation of the Action Plan Is vested in the Vlakteplaas Section Ranger and overseen by the Regional Ranger of the Nxanatseni North Region, with close oversight also being provided by the Head Ranger at Kruger National Park.
(a) There are currently 9 Roan antelope In the Nwaxltsumbe Breeding Camp.
(b) The objectives of the Roan Breeding Programme are to grow the numbers of Roan antelope as part of SAN Parks mandate to manage and protect South Africa's biodiversity. The programme also aims to continually release antelope into the greater Kruger National Park as the numbers of Roan in the camp Increase.
(3) (a, b & c) The Section Ranger was charged with Gross Negligence in an internal SAN Parks disciplinary process and a sanction of Summary Dismissal was imposed after conclusion of the disciplinary hearing. There were, however, no criminal charges laid against the Section Ranger because there was insufficient evidence to lay criminal charges against the Section Ranger.

[Klipspringer]

https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/de ... igence.pdf

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 1076 {NW1371E}
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 19 of 2020
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 June 2020
Ref: 02J1/512
M1 A M M Weber (DA) to ask the Mlnl1ter of Foreetry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) With reference to her reply to question 468, on 26 March 2020, in which a disciplinary hearing was scheduled to be concluded on 27 March 2020, what (a) was the outcome of the specified disciplinary hearing and (b) actions that were taken against the Section Ranger of the Vlakteplaas
section who was found to be responsible;
(2) (a) why has it taken almost one year to hold the disciplinary hearing and (b) what systems and procedures have been implemented to ensure that this does not happen again, either at the Nwaxitsumbe Breeding Camp or any other facility where animals are not able to search for naturally occurring water; and
(3) what was the Rand value of the Roan antelope that died from dehydration because of not being provided with water?



1076. THE MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT REPLIES:
(1) (a) The Section Ranger was found guilty on a charge of Gross Negligence following an intemal disciplinary hearing. No further criminal charges were laid against the ranger as there was no evidence of criminal activity that was established.
(b) A sanction of Summary Dismissal was meted out to the Section Ranger on the charge of Gross Negligence.
(2) (a) The investigation carried out by the Environmental Crime Investigation unit of the South African National Parks (SANParks), and the disciplinary process took longer than expected due to a number of postponements requested by the defendant and unavailability of a Chairperson and witnesses. Delays such as this are common during disciplinary processes and are unfortunately outside the control of the organisation as defendants, witnesses and staff critical to the investigation exercise their rights within the law.
(b) An Action Plan has been developed, specifically for the management (safety and security) of the Nwaxitsumbe Roan Breeding Camp. The direct responsibility for Implementation of the Action Plan is vested in the Vlakteplaas Section Ranger and overseen by the Regional Ranger of the Nxanatseni North Region, wnh close oversight also being provided by the Head Ranger at Kruger National Park. Key Performance areas, specifically focused on the management and welfare of the breeding camp, have been reviewed and drafted for the Section Ranger, Regional Ranger and Head Ranger. The Action Plan includes weekly visits and reporting by the Section Ranger and Field Rangers at the camp to ensure integrity and
functionality of the electrified fences, water reticulation equipment, adequate water provision and availability, assessment of the condition of animals and to ensure that adequate food is available. The Action Plan is designed with sufficient controls to ensure that such an event does not happen again.
(3) SANParks does not sell any cloven-hoofed antelope from Kruger National Park due to disease regulations and, therefore, does not have a sound basis to estimate the possible Rand value of the Kruger Roan antelope.

[Lisbeth]

It happened in March or earlier and we hear about it only at the end of June

[Klipspringer]

It happened in 2019.

according to Times Select:
https://select.timeslive.co.za/news/202 ... of-thirst/

[Lisbeth]

Strange that the media have not heard about it before, but I suppose that generally speaking the death of a few antelopes is not such a big thing to publish.

[Richprins]

There were unanswered questions when 30 died at the Mopani enclosure in 2012 as well!


In August, 30 carcasses of roan antelopes were discovered at the Kruger National Park's (KNP) Capricorn Rare antelope enclosure in the northern part of the park around Mopani camp area. The animals are believed to have died from yet another outbreak of anthrax disease in the park like it normally happens from time to time during this time of the year.

"Roan antelopes are some of the rare species in the park and having lost 30 animals will have a very serious impact on the total population which is estimated at about less than 100 animals in the whole park. Rangers are on the ground monitoring the situation and will from time to time report back on their findings" said the KNP's head of department: public relations and communication; Mr William Mabasa.

Anthrax it's a bacterial fatal disease, which is very dangerous to both animals and human beings. People are advised not to touch any carcass found in the Park, instead if they see any carcasses, they should report it to the nearest camp.


http://www.krugerpark.co.za/kruger-park ... 25573.html

[Richprins]

The history of the 3 rare antelope camps until 2003:

https://www.sanparks.org/docs/parks_kru ... osures.pdf

[Flutterby]