SKUKUZA – Anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park (KNP) have been strengthened with the special delivery of ten Polaris Ranger 570 quads earlier today.
The Polaris representative, Mr Mark Chittenden, said it was an honour to be involved in the fight against poachers. “Rhino poaching and game conservation is close to the company’s heart and is part of their motto.”
Funding for six of the quad vehicles was made possible through the US-based Howard G Buffet Foundation (HGBF).
Mr Mark Chittende of Polaris and Mr Teboho Mokoena of SANParks
Senior General Manager of Strategy and Business Planning for South African National Parks, Mr Teboho Mokoena, said, “The quads were bought for a total cost of R 3,6million. We are hoping to buy more of these so that every section in KNP will have a quad for their own use.”
The vehicles will be used by rangers and reaction teams in their anti-poaching efforts in various sections.
Six quads will be used in the Intensive Protection zone ( IPZ) to the south of KNP and the four others in sections in the north of Kruger.
General manager of Communications and Marketing in Kruger, Mr William Mabasa, said, “With these vehicles we are sending a message to the poachers that we will get them and soon there is not going a place to hide.”
Rangers and a dog names Scout on a Quad. Photo Hanti Schrader.
The quads have been imported from the United States of America and were customised here with features like a windscreen, skid plates, side rails, arm guards, benches at the back as well as cattle rails.
Each vehicle costs R367 300 and includes a motor plan of two years in which Polaris will service the quads.
They are also undertaking the training for the rangers on how to make the best of this vehicle. All the sections in KNP will eventually have a quad or two.
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