More cattle wanders in Kruger National Park
Concerns rise as more cattle enter KNP, risking disease transmission to wildlife and intensifying calls for new fencing to prevent livestock incursions.
LIMPOPO – Another herd of 43 cattle have been reported to be grazing in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
According to a livestock forum representing farmers in Phalaubeni, Mbaula, Makhuva and surrounding villages, last week members of the forum were informed by the KNP to identify the cattle which were found to be in park.
If not identified, the herd would be killed.
According to the forum’s Letter Mabunda, the park has taken the cattle to an abattoir where they will be euthanised.
Read more: Farmers demand answers over cattle shot in Kruger Park
Domesticated animals can spread diseases to wildlife such as foot and mouth. Jonathan Ngobeni of the Mthikhulu Development Forum is one of the community organisations calling on the park and the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) to erect a new fence.
Ngobeni says the fence will prevent cattle from being shot and that Ledet has promised to erect a new fence, however, they did not specify when.
“Ledet must speed up the process of putting up a fence because more and more farmers are losing their livestock every week,’’ he said. “The fence, which is expected to be put up, will cover about 800 hectares.”
Spokesman for Ledet, Zaid Kalla, could not be reached for comment at the time of print. Once received, it will be published.
