By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that six elephants have escaped at the Kruger National Park (KNP) through a river on Wednesday.
“We can confirm that six elephants escaped” from Kruger National Park, said Ike Phaahla, spokesperson for SANparks.
The animals escaped “through the river as the water is low at this time of the year”, he said.
“It is currently being monitored, and as soon as the police get the situation under control, we will give an update, added Phaahla.”
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has urged residents living near the Kruger Park to be cautious especially around the Mkhuhlu area.
MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shingube says their attempts to push the elephants back to the Kruger Park failed twice. He says their operations were also partly disrupted by community members and motorists.
This is not the first time that a herd of elephants have walked out of South Africa’s most famous park. A similar incident took place back in August 2022.
The herd of at least 10 were safely led back into the park after a swift action by the Air Services and Conservation Management.
The incident happened a day after SANParks inaugurated the passing-out parade for 33 field rangers in Skukuza on Wednesday.
According to SANParks, the 33 graduates are part of the recruits who went through a “rigorous” pre-selection and selection process, followed by a six-week Basic Field Ranger Training course
The selection process took place in July 2024. It required hopeful trainees to undergo physical fitness screening, evaluations and interviews, cognitive and aptitude tests.
“The 33 field rangers who succeeded, completed the holistic intense training, which led to the passing-out parade ” said SANParks.
Their deployment to the various sections throughout the park is with immediate effect.
“It is an absolute must that SANParks prioritises the protection of this heritage and ensures that the total control of the protected area is managed by those tasked with the upkeep of the area integrity.
“The new recruits will provide the much-needed boost to the current team of ranger corps. They should be seen as a necessary measure to support Law Enforcement and Biodiversity Conservation efforts in the park, giving invaluable support to the men and women working on the ground, “said SANParks.
The KNP is divided into 22 ranger sections, with each section managed by a section ranger, who is supported by a group of field rangers.