Sheree Bega
More reports have emerged of wildlife being burnt in the experimental fire that authorities created in the southern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP) last month, but SANParks maintains that wildlife was chased out of the area and have instead blamed arsonists.
Last week, the Saturday Star revealed how several rhino 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.
A SANParks statement sent to the media this week said before the blocks had been set alight, a helicopter had been used to chase rhino and elephant out of the area.
“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. This and other arson fires this year have burnt 67 000ha in the southern KNP.
“In spite of precautions taken, such as extensive firebreaks created for animals to move into, some animals were burnt in the experimental fire and a number of animals were also burned in the arson fires.”
Rangers flew over the blocks in the days after the fire to look for injured game that might have had to be put down, said the spokesman.
A visitor, who did not want 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 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 had been thrown on to it.”
Another park visitor, Russell 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”, he said.
“They 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 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?”
Park visitor Teresa Agenbag said her sister had come across a burnt rhino last week being hounded by wild dogs and hyenas. “It was distressed and wouldn’t let cars pass.”
The SANParks statement said the northern, eastern and southern flanks of the experimental fire 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 (brak kolle) without grass – areas that could act as refuge for game to move on to.
“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 the judicious use of fire by park managers.”