We were very shocked and saddened to read this article over the weekend and that’s why we absolutely had to share it with you. Things like this shouldnt be happening and if it has to be done – there needs to be better measures of control…
Please continue reading to find out more about the shocking story of animals been burnt by an experimental fire in the Kruger National Park.
MORE reports have emerged of wildlife being burnt in the experimental fire that authorities ignited in the southern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP) last month – but SANParks maintains wildlife was chased out of the area and have instead blamed arsonists.
Last week, Weekend Argus revealed how several rhinos had been burnt in the fiery blaze in the Afsaal region on September 15, which SANParks described as a controlled experiment to test the effectiveness of fast-moving, intense fire in controlling brush.
After the publication of the story, more visitors to the park said they had encountered several burnt and dead elephants – including a calf – impala and critically endangered ground hornbills in the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, SANParks said working on Fire had helped burn the firebreaks, setting and controlling the experimental fire using the “latest aerial ignition technology” to implement very hot fires, so-called “firestorms”, in two blocks of the park.
Before the blocks were set alight a helicopter had been used to chase rhinos and elephants out of the blocks.
“Unfortunately in the days just after the experimental fires, which burnt about 12 000ha, an arsonist walked through the southern Kruger Park and set numerous fires under extreme environmental conditions.
“This and other arson fires this year have burnt 67 000ha in the southern KNP. Nevertheless, in spite of precautions take such as extensive firebreaks created for animals to move into, some animals were burnt in the experimental fire in spite of all precautions taken and a number of animals were also burned in the arson fires.”
SANParks said rangers flew over and patrolled the blocks in the days after the fire to look for injured game which way have needed to be euthanized.
“Some are put down immediately and others are monitored to see if they can recover.”
Another visitor, who did not want to be named for fear of being victimised, said he had seen numerous badly burnt animals last week.
“We were on the dirt road next to Afsaal on our way to Lower Sabie when we saw the one elephant and dead birds, hornbills, next to the road. There were also small antelope like duikers. One side of the elephant looked like acid was thrown on it.”
Another park visitor, Russel Bruton, lamented the lack of accountability evidenced in the “cavalier” responses from officials quoted in last week’s story. This implied officials were happy to repeat the “disastrous experiment”.
“They (SANParks) proffer that animals must get out the way because fire is natural, totally ignoring the fact this fire was intentionally set to be so intense that only flighted birds could escape.
“What of breeding herds of elephant with calves, of which the cow in these pictures was probably a part? Where is her calf? Where are the others? Or rhino, or buffalo, or anything else with young? Who knows how many injured animals are out there still and what is being done to alleviate their suffering?”
Park visitor Teresa Agenbag said her sister came across another burnt rhino late last week being hounded by wild dogs and hyenas. “It was distressed and wouldn’t let cars pass.”
She said SANParks’ explanation for the fires had “evaded the issue” and gives the impression tourists have no understanding of nature”.
“This was obviously a situation that was either not properly planned or got out of control,” she said.
SANParks said the northern, eastern and southern flanks of the experimental blocks were left open to allow game to move out ahead of the fire front.
“In both blocks there were also a number of sodic sites (brackish flats) without grass – areas that could act as refuge areas for game to move onto the get away from the fire.
“In southern KNP in particular, it is obvious how woody shrubs are increasing in density in what used to be much more open areas because of a changing climate.
“Animals such as white rhino zebra, wildebeest, roan antelope, tsessebe, cheetah and wild dog prefer open savannas and will benefit from more open areas created by judicious use of fire by park managers,” it said.
