With a preserved area such as the Kruger National Park on our doorstep, many South African’s do not always have the appreciation that they should for this gift.
Sadly as animals are subjected to smaller and smaller spaces so we continue to encroach on their comfort zones and this can only lead to certain destruction. This may at times be in the form of animals killing humans, but most often it is the effect we as humans have on our wildlife.

Every year animals in the Kruger Park are abused and even killed because of the pressures, we as humans place on them. We are privileged to be able to visit the Kruger, but it is of utmost importance that we adhere to the rules set out by the Kruger Park.
Too many people still make their own rules and sadly this is at the expense of the animals in most cases.
It is a proven fact that when we travel with our vehicles through the park we are seen as closed box objects moving around, and not as the very vulnerable humans which we actually are. Animals cannot see us inside the vehicle unless they are very close. Instead they see a box shaped object which by now has become a very familiar site to them. This box object does not normally pose a threat to them and so they become accustomed to this strange animal moving about. Animals in effect only see the outline of our vehicles and associate the sounds and smells as part of the vehicle. The moment however that a car door is opened or a sun-roof is opened and a person leans out of the vehicle then the box image or outline is broken and the animal then sees the protruding body and immediately recognises it as a threat, which we in humans ultimately are. In most instances the animals move off avoiding confrontation, but occasionally an animal may interpret the threat as one which leaves them very little alternative but to attack.

Other regular incidents between visitors to the Kruger Park and the wildlife include the feeding of animals at camp fences. Hyenas are often attracted to camp fences by ignorant people throwing their meal scraps over the fence. In one similar incident people started feeding a leopard which use to patrol the Letaba Camp fence. Instead of appreciating the rare sighting of a leopard, people started abusing their rights by continuing to feed the leopard in order to keep it near the fence. Sadly as the leopard became use to the food supply and as people became more relaxed around the leopard, attention to its danger was ignored. The leopard became aggressive and a danger to the campers, and had to be shot by rangers from the park. This was so unnecessary.
Similarly people think feeding monkeys and baboons is a real treat and funny thing to watch and be a part of. These animals become aggressive towards humans over time as they see them as a source or supplier of food. Eventually several monkeys and baboons need to be killed to protect us as the visitors, but we started it all. Once again the basic rules of not feeding any animals are not adhered to and that to the detriment of the animal involved.

In a more recent incident people were treated to a leopard sighting outside of Lower Sabie Camp. As is always the case vehicles quickly converge on the sighting as everyone wants at least a glimpse of this beautiful animal. The leopard moved along the outside of the camp fence and proceeded towards the entrance to the camp. By this time even the entrance was blocked by visitors wanting to see the leopard. The leopard which relies on camouflage not to be detected became agitated and scared, and not having anywhere to escape to due to all the vehicles decided that its easiest route of escape was to try and jump over the electrified fence. I don’t think I need to explain what the outcome was here other than the loss to the Kruger Park of another male leopard in his prime.

When will people stop trying to satisfy their own selfish needs and learn to respect the wildlife more?
Most visitors to the Kruger Park may never return again, and so they don’t see the long term effect that they have on the environment and wildlife. Feeding a monkey today may not seem like a bad thing, but a few weeks down the line that monkey has to be killed because of the original piece of food it was handed.
Feeding a Hyena at the fence may be a great opportunity to get close to this animal and even take a photo, but what happens several months down the line when this animal has become so reliant on visitors feeding it that they don’t know how to find food for themselves anymore?

I have watched elephants feed really close to some camp fences, and people go right up to the fence to get closer. The electric fence between the elephant and the visitors is often seen as enough protection, but as I once read on a sign at a camp. “PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FENCE WILL NOT STOP A 6500KG CHARGING ELEPHANT!”
Do we really need signs like these to make us aware of the dangers?

Please can we enjoy places like the Kruger National Park in a responsible way and in doing so ensure the existence of not only the park in the future, but also of the wildlife.
Appreciate the Kruger Park! Its beauty and species diversity is one of a kind.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 12:02 pm and is filed under Kruger Park news and Facts. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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