Barbara Creasy, Minister for Forests, Fisheries and the Environment;
FSince 2020, 11 animals have been killed by vehicles on roads in the Kruger National Park, including one lion and several hyenas, said Barbara Creasy, Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.
Traffic accident statistics provided by Minister Kruger show that in 2020, a bateller and a zebra were killed on park roads, and in 2021, three impalas, a lion and a zebra were killed. In 2022, two brown hyenas and one impala were killed, and in 2023, a brown hyena, an impala, a kudu, a spotted hyena, and a stingbok were recorded as roadkill.
Mr Creasy was responding to a parliamentary question posed by Tamaryn Breed of Freedom Front Plus last month. Mr Breed asked the Minister about speeding vehicles on the Kruger and the resulting animal deaths, including unethical behavior by visitors and crowding during animal viewing. What was the total number and types of species killed by vehicles in 2020?
She also asked whether any regulations had been proposed or implemented to control unethical behavior by visitors to Kruger National Park and limit overcrowding during animal viewing.
“It is difficult to accurately quantify the number of animals killed on Kruger National Park roads. Most carcasses, especially those of small animals and birds, are quickly scavenged and by the time local rangers pass the road. will disappear,” Creasy said in a written statement. response.
She said all visitors to Kruger will be given a copy of the park regulations on entry in their permit. The minister said 10 traffic police officers were stationed at the national park to control visitor activity on the 2,775-kilometre tourist road.
Additional interventions include regular communication campaigns about the consequences of speeding within the park. “This campaign includes information and awareness about the consequences of breaking park rules and regulations. The communication campaign will also be carried out through SANParks social media sites to reach a wider audience. It will be done.”
Road signs have been redesigned to be more visible, and research has been conducted to identify the most effective road signs and hazard spots within the park. Continuous speed monitoring is carried out by park traffic wardens using “hotspot” cameras.
“Almost 90% of public vehicles, where the speed limit is 60 kilometers per hour, are equipped with speed control devices,” the minister said. “The only exceptions are emergency vehicles and some official ranger vehicles.”
Two processes have been launched to address the “growing problem” of overgrown road edges. The first clearing program was through his SANParks Honorary Rangers, and the second was through an employment fund application that made it to the final round. But Mr Creasy said more funding would be needed to add brush along the roads.
“KNP management recognizes unethical behavior, speeding and traffic accidents as serious issues and will continue to pay close attention to them,” Creasy said.
“Visitors to Kruger National Park have increased dramatically in recent years. Due to increased pressure on facilities and congestion on roads, Kruger National Park management has had to implement gate allocations.” She said, adding that gate allocations vary at each entry gate and are usually restricted only during long weekends or school holidays.
