SANParks Relocation 1200 Mainly Endangered Species to Other National Parks

Observer comments ... Over the last couple of years Addo Elephant National park in particular has been the recipient of numerous new species that were originally present in the Addo but disappeared for various reasons. The transfers included Lions absent for many many years and also included Kruger National park Bull Elephants to expand the gene pool.

Sanparks are translocating some 1,200 animals, mostly endangered species, from the old Vaalbos National Park in a three-phase project due to end in September.

The translocation is as a result of the land restitution process, where the Sidney on Vaal land claimants won a successful land claim over some of the land in the Vaalbos National Park.

The park will be de-proclaimed, and a new park is being established on Sanpark’s new farm Wintershoek, south west of Kimberley.

Not all of the animals being translocated will be going to Wintershoek.

Animals captured in March were taken to national parks such as Tankwa, Augrabies, Addo Elephant and Mapungubwe.

234 animals were translocated in the first phase of translocations in March.

In June and July 346 animals were moved, including white rhino, giraffe, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, tsessebe, gemsbok, plains zebra, springbok, eland and disease-free buffalo.

The September stage of the capture will involve cold-sensitive species like the black rhino.

Sanparks chief executive, Dr David Mabunda, commented, “Sanparks supports the country’s land restitution process and I am very pleased to announce that all stakeholders worked tirelessly to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement in regards to the Vaalbos claim. The acquired piece of land in Wintershoek has very little human intervention and disturbance. Late rains have also provided plenty of vegetation and this will assist in a quick rehabilitation of the animals.”

The new park will be official named and proclaimed at an official launch ceremony at an undisclosed future date.