Snares in Kruger

[Bushcraft]

Snared cheetah rescued, released
2014-12-18 18:31

Dale Hes

(Christophe Beaudufe, AFP)


Mbombela - A cheetah which spent at least six weeks wandering around the Kruger National Park with a snare cutting into its neck, was captured, freed from the snare and released unharmed on Wednesday morning.

The cheetah was initially spotted by tourists close to the Crocodile River Bridge in the south of the park on 28 October.

Since then, rangers were trying to locate it.

“The rangers found her 25km north of the Tekwane picnic site. She was darted, treated with antibiotics and released safely back into the wild after it was assessed that she was healthy,” said SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakuli.

Thakuli said that snares have always been a problem in the park.

“We find hundreds of snares in the KNP every year, mostly set by people living within the park’s boundaries who want some extra food, and the majority of animals aren’t as lucky as the cheetah. We encourage visitors to report snaring at the nearest camp, so we can respond as quickly as possible,” said Thakuli.

He thanked the tourists who reported the distressed cheetah.

“The fact that tourists are helping us means that we are not necessarily managing and protecting the park by ourselves, but together with our visitors, which is a great thing,” Thakuli said.
- African Eye

[Bushcraft]

I wonder about this comment

We find hundreds of snares in the KNP every year, mostly set by people living within the park’s boundaries who want some extra food

[Richprins]

[harrys]

So what he's saying is that staff are setting these traps

[Richprins]

Looks like it, Harry, but I don't think that's what they mean...obviously most poaching is done from outside the boundaries...staff will just shoot stuff, IMO...

They also talk about a new picnic spot...Tekwane...

[Richprins]

SKUKUZA – A cheetah. that was caught in a snare in the Kruger National Park (KNP), has survived and was released into the wild once again.
On October 28 members of the public informed park officials that they had seen a cheetah trapped in a snare in the Tshokwane area.
By the time rangers got to the scene the cheetah had escaped, but was captured a few days later.
The animal was taken to a rehabilitation centre by Steven Whitfield, the Tshokwane section ranger, with the help of the Marula South regional ranger, Don English.
L to R: Don English, Steven Whitfield and the State Vet of SANParks Dr. Louis van Schalkwyk.

L to R: Don English, Steven Whitfield and the State Vet of SANParks Dr. Louis van Schalkwyk, where the cheetah was released again

The state veterinarian for SANParks, Dr Louis van Schalkwyk treated the animal with antibiotics and although it took a while, the cheetah eventually responded to treatment.
Van Schalkwyk said traps were a huge problem in parts of the park “People living next to the KNP use snares to catch impala and other buck. We patrol the area daily and remove tens of thousands of snares from these areas.”
The cheetah was released into the wild again on Thursday December 18.


http://lowvelder.co.za/242766/242766/


A better reply, indicating poaching is mostly from OUTSIDE!

[Toko]

http://citizen.co.za/439116/frantic-sea ... k-lioness/

National 31.7.2015 03.20 pm
Frantic search for snared Kruger Park lioness

Hlabangani Mtshali

In the midst of the furore around the killing of Cecil the lion by an American tourist, rangers and veterinarians at the Kruger National Park have launched a frantic search for a lioness that was spotted at the game reserve with a loose snare around its neck.
The lioness was first spotted in the Punda Maria area by an American tourist, identified as Judy Spangler Jones, during the week. Elize Olivier from Latest Sightings, told The Citizen that Spangler saw the animal then reported the incident to rangers at the park.
“Some of the park’s vets began looking for her but they still haven’t found her. It is really difficult because this is a very quiet area,” Olivier said.
Although it is unclear how the lioness got the snare around its neck, Olivier said the area was riddled with snares and subsistence poachers.
Meanwhile, South African Nation Parks (SanParks) confirmed that they had been made aware of the injured lions and have been trying to locate it.
SanParks spokesperson Gabrielle Venter said it was unclear when the lioness was first spotted.
She said the Veterinary head at the park pointed out the lioness was not in too much danger because the snare is sitting very loosely around her neck.
Venter added using helicopters was the best way to track the lions but most had been deployed in efforts against rhino poaching.

[Richprins]

Ja....

That area is full of snares!

Ironically Prinsadam saw one there on 2 July...he said it was a nylon rope..




viewtopic.php?f=263&t=3309&start=50


Spoke to Hanti about it..all sorts of social media comments, such as quoting Mr Mabasa as saying subsistence poaching is fine!


The Citizen pic:

[Alf]

Poor lion

[Richprins]

Should be ok...she seems to be eating, and the wire rusts off eventually, I think?