SKUKUZA – The iconic Kruger National Park (KNP) is being graced by the presence of royalty.
None other than Prince Harry of Wales landed at Skukuza Airport at 16:00. He is representing the British government on official business and is currently in Kruger to gather information on the rhino poaching crisis and to pledge his support to curbing the scourge.
After disembarking from the aircraft, he was met by head of anti-poaching operations of SANParks, Maj Gen (ret) Johan Jooste, CEO of SANParks, Mr Fundisile Mtekeni and managing executive, Mr Glenn Phillips, before he was taken to the Mission Area Joint Operational Centre.
Here, Jooste explained SANParks’ anti-poaching operations to him in detail. Jooste emphasised that the park needs to be cleaned from the “outside” in order to address the slaughter of rhino successfully.
The prince looked impressed. “Don’t give up. It is taking time, but things are happening,” he said. After this he met Killer, a tracking dog that has had great success in tracking and apprehending poachers.
Killer made judicial history recently, when his “testimony” led to the sentencing of a rhino poacher. His circumstantial “evidence” was allowed during the criminal trial, securing a successful conviction.