War on silent killer snares

LIFE-SAVERS: KRUGER PARK VISITORS CAN NOW REPORT SIGHTINGS OF TRAPPED ANIMALS

Lioness with tiny cubs was caught in a trap and rescued and was seen recently.

Two wars are raging in the Kruger National Park: on rhino poaching and on snaring. While the first grabs the world’s attention, rangers and vets in the park are silently fighting the second war, often with the help of alert visitors.

Guests can report sightings directly to the number supplied on the entry permits.

The Facebook page, Enough is Enough, driven by member of the public Lize Bester from White River, also helps.

Sightings can be reported on 082-458-6227 with information such as the date and time of the sighting, type of animal and location of the snare on its body, the road number, distance from a turn-off and photos, if possible. A GPS reading would be a bonus.

Bester gives the details personally to a services coordinator in the park, who makes sure it is registered at the joint operational centre.

She emphasises, however, that relevant park officials are not always readily available to give attention to the animal immediately.

On November 26, a snared lion lying on the side of the road towards the river opposite Sunset Dam near Lower Sabie was rescued in record time after a visitor report.

A very elusive hyena was tracked down on the S28 and the snare removed.

This hyena had been avoiding rangers and vets for months but has now been treated.

During the same week, however, at least one hyena did not survive.

Its body was found with a very tight snare around its neck.

One of the success stories that captured the hearts of Kruger Park enthusiasts was that of a lioness called Beatrix.