Questionable Buffalo and Hippo culling in Kruger

[Richprins]

SANParks has confirmed the intention to cull buffalo and hippo populations in the Kruger National Park beyond the current drought-enforced ecological management plan.

This is the thin end of the wedge, Robert, and new...

[Lisbeth]

Why are they going to continue to feed the communities, many of whom are going to sell the meat and create an even bigger market for bush meat? It is immoral and discriminating and will create dependence. It has no sense whatsoever

[Flutterby]

So, that HR was talking rubbish, as I suspected!

[Bushcraft]

Why are they going to continue to feed the communities, many of whom are going to sell the meat and create an even bigger market for bush meat? It is immoral and discriminating and will create dependence. It has no sense whatsoever

Correct

[Richprins]

SANParks has confirmed the intention to cull buffalo and hippo populations in the Kruger National Park beyond the current drought-enforced ecological management plan.

Part of the plan is to test different models for meat distribution to disadvantaged, low income communities on the border of the park.

SANParks is testing various management methods as part of formulating an ongoing plan to manage and harvest wildlife in the park, the remains of which will be distributed to surrounding communities for them to use or sell as meat products.

Why is it now ongoing, when it began as drought related? Methinks the quantity and quality of meat from the culling was unsatisfactory.

According to the spokesperson, most other national parks and game reserves have annual off takes, and the same should apply to the Kruger National Park, with the difference being that the KNP off-takes are not due to overpopulation, but rather they are a result of the impact the drought has had and will have on both species and vegetation in the park.

Why should the same apply to Kruger, if KNP off-takes are not due to overpopulation, and why is the reason for offtakes due to drought, but it will carry on after drought?

Scientists are monitoring the situation and so far approximately 72 Hippos and 104 Buffalos have been culled. SANParks plans to use this as an opportunity to sustainably harvest in the region of 350 animals in order to test the feasibility of different models for meat distribution to disadvantaged communities.

Why is there no lavish media release regarding the distribution of meat to communities thus far? It should surely be shouted from the rooftops? What situation exactly is being monitored by scientists...they can only monitor the effects of drought and that is pointless if it has been decided culling will continue after drought?

SANParks stressed that the off-takes planned are only a small percentage of the species populations as other influencing restrictions also play their part in this complex scheme.

If it is such a small percentage, it is of no conservation value, and if it is so complex, then don't do it until you know what you are doing, surely? The "scheme" is something else, I fear.


Animal diseases present in the park such as foot and mouth disease, unpredictable weather patterns and unascertained mortality rates amongst the species in question means that concrete plans to continue culling even after the drought are difficult to formalise.

See above...make up your minds as to the reasons then? Foot and mouth is not present at the moment, and would kill local communities and their cattle should the meat be transported.

“Logistically it will not be possible to do higher numbers now and ecologically it will not be suitable to do unsustainably high numbers in future.” – Lesley Nyawo


So once logistics are sorted, higher numbers will be done? What is the point of that statement if high numbers will not be done in future? It does not make sense at all?

A new round of revisions of the Kruger National Park Management Plan has started and will come into full swing in the year 2017. The public are encouraged to register and take part in this process.

If you would like more information on this issue or if you would like to take part in the public participation information sharing session, email: lesley.nyawo@sanparks.org

I think we should take part, as always, but all of our previous attempts regarding various examples of SP maladministration have met with mixed results regarding obfuscation, postponement, incompetence, politicisation and dishonesty. This is the standard FU response, IMO. Any members who want to tackle this one?

[H. erectus]

All above so heartbreaking to read!!
It all boils down to a fact that pristine nature will
become the god parent of "total uselessness",..

Somehow it boggles the mind in understanding why
nature should be the reason for man in his quest for
happiness and content.

This is mind boggling misdemeanor. To be quite honest
I have yet to witness any animal, portraying self pity, yet
I live in a world, the order of the day,..where man and his
emotions will be the order of the day!! Quite a sickening
thought to realize that the same man will be the moral that
will drag all into the gutters of doom.

[Lisbeth]

“Logistically it will not be possible to do higher numbers now and ecologically it will not be suitable to do unsustainably high numbers in future.” – Lesley Nyawo

Is this written for the eyes of the communities

A new round of revisions of the Kruger National Park Management Plan has started and will come into full swing in the year 2017. The public are encouraged to register and take part in this process.

Are they afraid of encountering too much adversity?

What does "FU" stand for?

A new round of revisions of the Kruger National Park Management Plan has started and will come into full swing in the year 2017.

Are they going to send you a draft of the plan

If you register are they going to listen to you or is it just a way to avoid public protests?

How do you register?

[stefan9]

Sadly apparently this so called meeting will only be in kruger and only in person. So only those lucky enough to be able to get to KNP get participate. The usual BS. Obviously not brave enough to answer the questions in an open forum...

[Lisbeth]

Same ol' same ol' You are so right, Stefan! How do you know?

[stefan9]

Same ol' same ol' You are so right, Stefan! How do you know?

Was posted by one of the mods on the Sanparks kruger FB site. Was said it will be in kruger and you need to contact Lesley for more information to join...