Trains killing wildlife

INCREASE: RECENT DEATH OF ELEPHANT IN BALULE HIGHLIGHTS PROBLEM

Anti-poaching unit personnel frustrated by unnecessary losses of animals.

Alone bull elephant became the latest victim of a train accident in the Balule Nature Reserve. This year alone, the train line, which carries freight from the mines in Phalaborwa to other parts of the country, has claimed the lives of six elephants, three lion cubs, as well as a number of plains game, leopards and hippos, reports Letaba Herald.

The founder of Black Mambas anti-poaching unit, Craig Spencer, told the Hoedspruit Herald that the loss of lives of critical species often makes the job of the anti-poaching teams seem rather futile.

“We are trying to develop an ethos for the love of wildlife and protect animals from poachers, yet we are losing animals to the trains,” he said.

Spencer fully acknowledged that the train line was there before the nature reserve was established, and accepted that losses would inevitably occur, but hoped that Transnet, who operated the trains, would come up with plans to mitigate such tragedies.

The elephant that was struck last week was not reported by the train driver to the reserve.

Another two trains passed the carcass and the drivers also failed to report the incident.

This ends up causing a number of problems for the reserve.

Firstly, the carcass always attracts scavengers which may then fall victim to the next passing train.

Secondly, there is a security risk involved as the deceased animal lies in the bush with valuable ivory tusks that need to be removed by reserve personnel.

Additionally, in terms of resources, if the anti-poaching teams are held up following up on vulture activity for the elephant carcass, they may be missing vulture activity in other sections of the reserve, which may point them in the direction of a poached rhino, for example.

Simple reporting by the train drivers would be of great assistance to the reserve, although it is a rather reactive response and does not mitigate the number of deaths.

Spencer acknowledged that occasionally the drivers did report such incidents, but not every time.

Spencer’s main frustration is that he is trying to teach the Black Mamba anti-poaching team, as well as other counter-poaching personnel on the reserve, about protecting the wildlife and removing snares which may cause loss of life, all while the trains are causing multiple fatalities every year.

“It is difficult to motivate the anti-poaching teams when it all seems rather futile,” he concluded.

The Hoedspruit Herald has contacted Transnet for comment.

At the time of going to press, they had acknowledged receipt of the e-mail and promised to respond.

Their response will be published once received.

According to a publication by another media house, Transnet has resolved to meet with the reserve in January in order to find a way to reduce the number of animals killed by the trains. – Caxton News Service

It all seems rather futile