Questionable Buffalo and Hippo culling in Kruger

[Richprins]

Yes, nana, they kill the entire family. Relocations were done if possible, especially the babies, but that option ran out.

One must remember the ellies will die a very slow and agonising death from starvation eventually anyway. There is no escape.

[Richprins]

According to the video the sick and the weak will die (of course) and they are no good for food in any case and the drought being a natural event in nature,
man should not intervene. Obviously it was even worse in 1991, was culling done then? I cannot find anything on Google

Culling was ongoing and long-term then, Lis...not season-specific, rather numbers-specific. (Not Ad Hoc)

[Lisbeth]

Nothing to do with the drought, then? Thank you, RP

[PennyinSA]

I am still very interested as to how the decision to cull buffalo and sell the meat to local communities is going to affect their health. If we understand all that is written about BTB then it is made palpably clear that consumption of contaminated buffalo is a major problem. Will Sanparks actually test each buffalo before it is culled or before they sell the meat off? Perhaps somebody with a scientific background could help to clarify the inherent dangers that these communities will be facing should they consume meat that is from a buffalo that has BTB! I would also like to know how the refurbishment (total) of the abattoir could be afforded unless this cull is to become a permanent feature. Very worrisome!

[Lisbeth]

Is Sanparks going to SELL the meat?

[nan]

indeed worrisome

[Richprins]

Elephant meat is disease-free, or was. Buffalo can be eaten cooked properly, if not TB, not sure about hippo. Anyway, biltong and canned meat was the only way of legally and safely removing culled meat from the area, abiding by veterinary regulations.

One must get a clear answer from SP as to how they have handled this. selling meat to staff is not safe, as they will just sell it outside the park again at a profit. The same will happen to donated meat, and it could end up anywhere in the blink of an eye!

[Lisbeth]

Hopefully they will explain exactly how they are going to handle this!

[Richprins]

BTW, there was no profit motive at all. The culling process still ran at a financial loss despite the sales, which were used to pay for it. As Penny said the abattoir is an expensive business. Although it has been paid off by now, obviously, renovations run into millions!

[nan]

selling meat to staff is not safe, as they will just sell it outside the park again at a profit. The same will happen to donated meat, and it could end up anywhere in the blink of an eye!

that is the staff's problem... if they would like to have a little bit more money