Report shows drop in rhino poaching
Rhino poaching stats in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) show a decrease of 43.5% for the year.
INCIDENTS of rhino poaching in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) has decreased by 43.5 percent for the year ended 31 March.
This is according to Park Manager Jabulani Ngubane, who said the substantial drop was a result of the unwavering support and exceptional work ethic from staff and injection of resources from the provincial Treasury.
Save the Rhino International also donated law enforcement equipment worth R800 000 to the park.
The Anti-Poaching Unit accommodation at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve was upgraded with eight new units and the Magqubu Ntombela Memorial Foundation sponsored the salary of one rhino monitor for the Park, boosting further confidence.
The recently released KZN Nature Conservation Services Annual Integrated Report 2014/2015, also reports a substantial southern expansion to the Park since the fence between HiP and Mpembeni Community Conservation Area was dropped to allow free roaming of game.
The iMfolozi Big Five expansion initiative comes after a decade of community conservation education, culminating into the incorporation of 15 000ha by five Amakosi.
The area was declared a nature reserve in terms of the national Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 and Ezemvelo and the Mpembeni community concluded a management agreement pertaining to the reserve.
Park projects
HiP was granted R35-million by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs to fence 160km of the boundary fence.
A further R10-million was utilised to build enclosures aimed at reducing the human-wildlife conflict with neighbouring communities.
The Sontuli children’s camp was upgraded as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
Elephant contraception programme
The HiP Elephant Management Plan has listed immunocontraception as one of the elephant management options to slow down the population growth rate.
This is to reach the carrying capacity after 2016, allowing time for various management, monitoring and research actions outlined in the plan.
The report states that the biodiversity element most likely to be negatively impacted by the elephants, are the scarp forest in the north of Hluhluwe.
Mining threats
According to Ngubane, the existing Somkhele Zululand Anthracite mines and new application of Fuleni coal mine continue to pose a threat to the park’s wilderness area and was in direct conflict with the values of the park.
‘The organisation has embarked on a public awareness programme and is soliciting support from the neigbouring communities to engage with the project proponents.’
A satellite camp audit by park management took place for all camps in the wilderness area.
The Wilderness Management Plan is in the draft stage and will be consolidated and submitted for approval in the next financial year.
Read more in the Rhino Diaries HERE
