Kruger News

Leopard Hills is one of the World's Best Luxury Adventure Holidays

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve is honoured to have been nominated as one of the Best Luxury Adventure Holidays in the World for 2012.

The award was presented by AdventureTemples, an exciting new luxury adventure travel service and online community, with members in more than 25 countries.

Competition was fierce, with hundreds of destinations and thousands of hotels under consideration. To qualify, hotels have to offer a great range of activities for body, mind and spirit, from a stunning luxury base - so even the most discerning guests will find excitement, inspiration and relaxation. After many rounds of voting and expert selection, winners from 36 countries were chosen, and will be commemorated in a prestigious coffee-table photo-guidebook.

Leopard Hills is built on a hill overlooking a natural waterhole and is close to the perennial Sand River and truly lives up to its name. This exclusive lodge traverses over 10 000 hectares in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and offers some of the best Big 5 game viewing in Southern Africa.

With only eight beautifully appointed suites, Leopard Hills offers as much privacy as you could wish for. Each of the luxurious glass-fronted suites has superb views of the bushveld beyond, while air-conditioning and overhead fans provide added comfort against the African bush. The private deck and heated rock plunge pools are perfect venues for relaxing with a drink from the fully stocked mini-bar. The suites are complete with all the comforts you could desire, including romantic bathrooms with Victorian ball-and-claw bath and double indoor and outdoor shower.

Activities on offer are spectacular Cascade & Canyon Helicopter flight over the Blyde River Canyon, African elephant interactions at Elephant Whispers and an array of bush spa treatments in the privacy of your suite or in the glass walled massage Sala overlooking the tranquil ambience of the surrounding bush. While you are being pampered or working out in the gym you may see a herd of elephant drinking at the waterhole! Guests can also enjoy a traditional Shangaan boma dinner or bush breakfast. Alternatively, one may request a trip to the Cultural Village, relax in the library with internet facilities and African Literature or browse the well stocked Curio Shop.

At Leopard Hills, Africa's big game abounds and each day is different, as you explore the endless fascination of Africa's wildlife in custom-designed deluxe Land Rovers. Early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives and walking safaris in search of Africa's big game, are conducted by your knowledgeable, professional ranger.

Free access into National Parks during SANParks Week: 12 - 16 September 2011

In keeping with the September Spirit of Heritage Month, South African National Parks (SANParks) is once again opening up its parks during SANParks Week with free, open access to all South African parks. The 2011 Annual SANParks Week is scheduled for 12 - 16 September.

This year, the theme for SANParks Week is Know Your National Parks: with the main objectives of the week being: to create awareness; instil a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage; educate the public on the importance of nature and biodiversity and give the public a broader understanding of the custodianship role played by SANParks in conservation issues. This initiative is in line with the organisation’s People and Conservation efforts to bring national parks closer to the people.

First National Bank (FNB) has sponsored R 1.2 million for the week’s activities and each of the 20 participating National Parks (excluding Namaqua and Mokala National Parks as well as Boulders Penguin colony in the Table Mountain National Park) has developed unique plans for celebrating the week, including career guidance exhibitions; hiking trails; photography competitions; exhibitions on various activities around the parks; game drives; evening boma braais; story telling sessions; sports activities, give-aways, pensioners days, and wild walks for school children.

The five parks in the Cape Region (Agulhas, Bontebok, Table Mountain, Tankwa and West Coast) have a number of activities planned for the week, from soccer tournaments and game drives to educational school tours. A number of special events such as braais and “mega picnics have also been planned for Heritage Day – bringing the Heritage Month activities to a close.

The parks are inviting everyone from their local communities to take the opportunity to visit their respective parks free of charge, and get to know the unique heritage that lies just beyond their doorstep.

For more information about the activities of each park during the week, visit www.sanparks.org.

Issued by/Media queries:

Wanika Rusthoi, Public Relations Officer: Cape Region, South African National Parks, tel: (021) 701 8692, cell: 072 060 8188, e-mail: Wanika.rusthoi@sanparks.org

Suspected Ranger Arrested for Poaching in the KNP

The CEO of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda announced today that one of the Ranger Corps, based in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was arrested for suspected rhino poaching activities on July 25, 2011.

The ranger, who has yet to appear in court and therefore cannot be named, was arrested after he was linked to previous rhino poaching incidents that took place in the park.

“Internal disciplinary and criminal processes against the Ranger will run concurrently and we hope for a speedy trial and believe that justice will prevail. Rangers are guardians and a key force in protecting these rhinos; those who do not aspire to these values should be flushed out and brought to book," said Mabunda.

This year alone a total of 131 suspected poachers have been arrested around the country, of which 65 of them were arrested in the KNP. Since January this year, throughout the country, 15 suspected poachers have been killed and 9 injured in clashes with authorities in the KNP.

For previous media statements on this matter please go to www.sanparks.org

Issued by:
KNP Public Relations Department on behalf of SANParks Corporate Communications

KNP to honour Mandela through music & service

Date: 11 July 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011 will be the 93rd birthday of former president Nelson Mandela and the whole world will be celebrating this day. The Kruger National Park (KNP) in conjunction with Keystone State Boys choir (KSB) from USA will on the day hold a “happy birthday musical performance” to honour the life, of this international icon who has been an inspiration to many nations all over the world.

As an organization, the Park will donate food and clothes worth R10 000 to the homeless children at Field of Dreams, a home outside Malelane; some of the staff members will spend time with the kids as well on Mandela Day.

People around the world can devote at least 67 minutes to a good cause; one minute for each year Mandela devoted to worthy causes since he began his struggle against human rights infringements as a young attorney in the apartheid era.

The KNP’s Head of Public Relations, William Mabasa says, "as a tribute to our beloved Madiba, let us sacrifice one minute of our time for every year Mandela devoted to social justice by getting involved in issues such as gender equality, education, poverty, peace and reconciliation to mark the day. Something as simple as baking a cake or emptying the fridge and giving food to the homeless can make a difference in somebody’s life."

KSB, who will be on a concert tour to South Africa and, will also be celebrating their 10th anniversary decided to travel to the country during the hero’s birthday month. Each day of the tour, the boys will perform 67 minutes of community and musical service in various parts of the country in honour of Mandela. Having toured South Africa it its first season, KSB will return to the country with the distinction of being the only choir to have sung on all seven continents, including Antarctica.

Issued by:
Laura Mukwevho, Media Relations Practitioner, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: (013) 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441 or e-mail: laura.mukwevho@sanparks.org

Enquiries:
William Mabasa, HOD: Public Relations and Communication, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: (013) 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or e-mail: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

Three suspected rhino poachers arrested in the KNP

30 June 2011

A joint operational team consisting of Kruger National Park (KNP) Rangers, Environmental Crime Investigation Unit (ECI) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrested three suspected rhino poachers today, June 30, 2011 in the Houtboschrand ranger section of the KNP near the Olifants River.

The poachers were found in possession of a 458 hunting rifle, an AK 47 assault, two axes and other ammunition. No animal carcass was discovered at the scene.

For previous media statements on this matter please go to www.sanparks.org

Issued by:
Laura Mukwevho, Media Relations Practitioner, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: (013) 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441 or e-mail: laura.mukwevho@sanparks.org

Enquiries:
William Mabasa, HOD: Public Relations and Communication, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: (013) 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or e-mail: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

Media Release: Penguins sent home to Bird Island

 24 June 2011

The African penguin juvenile birds ferried off the Addo Elephant National Park’s Bird Island in May this year have been released back onto the island following successful rehabilitation efforts.

Sixty penguins were released onto Bird Island yesterday while another 50 penguin juveniles were transported back to Bird Island by boat last week after 94 of the juvenile birds were transported off the island in May. The rescue operation aimed to ensure the survival of affected juvenile penguins following periods of cold, wet weather during which their condition deteriorated.

The majority of the rescued penguins spent a period of just over one month in the Penguins Eastern Cape rehabilitation centre in order to improve their body weight and condition before release. The penguins were initially tube-fed and given antibiotics if needed, then later hand-fed to increase their body weight. Eleven of the penguins were rehabilitated at the SAMREC facility in Port Elizabeth.

These successful rehabilitation efforts have seen the penguin juveniles pick up weight and condition, allowing them to fend for themselves once they are released back onto the national park’s island.

South African National Parks (SANParks), which manages Bird Island as part of Addo Elephant National Park, has intensified special management measures to address the global decline in African penguin numbers since their status shifted from vulnerable to endangered in 2010.

In anticipation of another cold front warning, Park rangers on the island will keep a close eye on conditions to determine if more penguins might be affected. Measures such as artificial nests, ground covers to combat muddy wet conditions and regular nest and condition checks are already in place to ensure the penguins survive adverse conditions.

Endangered roseate terns are also monitored by rangers, having just started their breeding season on Bird Island, one of the few islands where these birds breed off southern Africa.

There are currently about 2 300 breeding pairs of penguins on Bird Island and another 8 500 breeding pairs on St. Croix Island which also forms part of Addo Elephant National Park.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

Enquiries:
Megan Tapli, Regional Marketing & Communications Manager, Addo Elephant * Camdeboo * Karoo * Mountain Zebra National Parks, Tel: 083 650 8649 or (042) 233 8609, E-mail: megan.taplin@sanparks.org

News Release: SANParks receives DNA sample kits to fight rhino poaching

22nd June 2011

Pretoria: The country’s body charged with the management and protection of the national parks system, all its environs and heritage, South African National Parks (SANParks) was the recipient of over 1 000 rhino DNA sample kits from the Faculty of Veterinary Services of the University of Pretoria (UP) this afternoon.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, SANParks, Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Mabunda said throughout the years DNA evidence has ensured that criminal elements are locked up as the analysis of information collected proved to be the only working weapon that cannot be disputed to halt criminals in their tracks. “This will certainly go a long way in changing the trend of suspects found in possession of rhino horn only being charged with possession as the horns in their possession will be linked to a carcass lying somewhere in a national park or game reserve.”

According to Dr Mabunda the kits would also assist rhino managers with the individual rhino in their care. “Hence we would like to encourage them to take full advantage of this opportunity so that we may be able to better protect our rhino from criminals.”

He said these kits are expected to help prosecutors be even tougher on those caught in possession of rhino horns.

The project is supported by a host of esteemed private sector companies such as SAB Miller, BMW, 702 Talk Radio through its LeadSA Campaign and the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science.

SAB Head of Sustainable Development, Andre Fourie said it is appalling state of affairs when criminal activities result in dead rhino becoming more valuable than when alive. “Keeping a rhino safe is a dangerous and expensive exercise and developing a DNA database will go a way to ensuring that illegal activity is curbed.”

He said SAB as a company is dependent on the country’s natural resources and ecosystems… “and we are therefore acutely aware of our responsibility towards caring for South African society and the environment.” 

According to Dr Cindy Harper, Head of Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria the primary aim of the RhODIS database is to support investigation of poaching incidents through forensic DNA testing. The ability to obtain a full DNA profile from rhino horn allows us to match recovered horns to specific poaching incidents. The main project aim is now being achieved with DNA evidence being used successfully in court cases related to specific poaching incidents.

The initial project to obtain DNA from the rhino horn was done in collaboration with the TRACE Wildlife Network in the UK and the samples were supplied by SANParks. The DNA sampling kits were developed through a combined effort of SANParks environmental crime investigation unit and the South African Police forensic science laboratory in Pretoria and the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the University of Pretoria.

Issued by:
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli, General Manager: Media Liaison, Events & Stakeholder Relations, Tel: (012) 426 5203, Mobile: 073 373 4999, e-mail: reyt@sanparks.org

Media Enquiries:

• wanda mkutshulwa – Head of Communications, Tel: (012) 426 5201, Mobile: 082 908 2692, e-mail: wandam@sanparks.org
• Robyn Chalmers, SAB Head of Corporate Communications, Tel: (011) 881 8679, Mobile: 082 924 2267, e-mail: Robyn.Chalmers@za.sabmiller.com

Media Release: GRNP's Tsitsikamma Section Rangers receive Hi-Tec footwear
20th June 2011

In recognition of the South African National Park’s (SANPark’s) continued conservation initiatives in the garden route area - Hi Tec has presented Garden Route National Park’s (GRNP’s) rangers with some of their durable shoes. Hi-Tec Altitude IV and Glide hiking boots were given to 38 rangers in the Tsitsikamma Section.

The Tsitsikamma Section attracts a large number of local and foreign tourists, making it the third most frequently visited of the 19 National Parks in South Africa. In addition to welcoming day and overnight visitors to its Tsitsikamma and Nature’s Valley Rest Camps, where a variety of outdoor activities are offered, GRNP rangers also run two poverty-relief programmes for communities in the region. Invasive plants are cleared through the Working for Water initiative, while Coasts Care teaches coastal conservation and sustainable subsistence living.

Employed to protect the Park’s fauna, flora, cultural heritage sites and visitors, the rangers are on foot every day. They walk, on average, six to eight kilometres daily; their patrols may cover double this distance too. The scenic trails thoughout the Park are rocky, with many stream crossings. And, the rangers are out and about regardless of the weather conditions.

“The rangers are chuffed to receive these Hi-Tec shoes,” says Owen Govender, Tsitsikamma’s Senior Section Ranger. “They’re light and comfortable and the soles offer good grip on rocks.”

From implementing the Tsitsikamma Section’s conservation initiatives to patrolling trails and interacting with visitors, Park rangers spend all day on their feet. “Appropriate and comfortable footwear makes all the difference to the rangers,” says Ian Little, Hi-Tec’s marketing manager. “A ranger with unsuitable shoes and sore feet just cannot do their job properly.”

Hi-Tec first donated shoes to the Tsitsikamma rangers in 2009, maintaining a relationship where rangers could purchase appropriate footwear directly from Hi-Tec. Govender says that before Hi-Tec got involved with the Park, the rangers were wearing safety-style shoes, which are heavy and unsuited to the terrain. It was not uncommon for rangers to suffer from blisters.

Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning ‘place of much water’. Govender adds that these boots, with Hi-Tec’s Tec-Proof waterproof technology, are suited to the environment of the reserve with its many streams and year-round rainfall.

While in the Park for the handover, Little met with Govender and Tsitsikamma representatives to discuss and review the reserve’s trail markers. “In 2009 we sponsored and installed trail markers in the Golden Gate National Park in the Free State. Many of the original markers were faded, broken or missing. The new signage has made a marked different to Golden Gate’s visitors and we are looking at the same benefit to the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park.”

Inquiries:
Lisa de Speville, Johannesburg, South Africa, Mobile: +27 82 936-2509, E-mail: lisa@ar.co.za