Wild Dog Hotline
If you are lucky enough to see African wild dogs south of Satara Camp during your stay in Kruger National Park please phone, text, sms or mms the wild dog hotline number. Your immediate response will help us obtain genetic samples so a family tree of all South African wild dogs can be created in order to assist in future wild dog relocations and inbreeding avoidance. Messages should include the location, time and number of wild dogs seen. Phone or text to 076 725 5242 or email photos or sighting information to ccg@ewt.org.za.
Game Auction Rakes in R13 million for more Park Land
On September 22, 2007, Sanparks sold 20 white rhino, 29 buffalo and three roan antelope at an auction held at Groenkloof in Pretoria. According to Raymond Travers, spokesperson for the Kruger National Park (KNP), the proceeds, which totalled almost R13 million, will be used for conservation and land acquisition.
The Kruger white rhino, 11 males and nine females, which were relocated to their various destinations last week, fetched R5,28 million. The disease-free buffalo were sold for a total of R5,74 million and the roan fetched R15 400.
Fast Lanes at Phalaborwa Gate Open
Staff at the Phalaborwa gate let the first clients through the long-awaited revamped Phalaborwa Entrance Gate on Friday, October 5, 2007. The four lanes allow day visitors and wild card holders fast and convenient access to the Kruger National Park's (KNP) northern and far northern regions. According to Terry Nel, the lane directions are not set and can be changed according to need.
"In this way we can have two lanes into the park in the mornings and two lanes exiting the park in the evenings to facilitate heavy traffic when necessary." "Overnight visitors, clients who need to renew their wild cards and people who want to book either night drives or accommodation at Sable dam still need to stop over at reception," says Terry.
Construction of the gate started in April/May this year. “It was amazing how the whole town and the Phalaborwa community worked together to complete this project, especially towards the end to add the final touches,” adds Terry. “People came to install the irrigation in the garden, assist with the garden itself and so much more.”
Even a baobab that was planted in 1976 at the department of land affairs in town found a new home at the gate.
The tree was ‘relocated’, under the guidance of its original gardener, Retha Green, and with the assistance of Hilton Bezuidenhout of the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality. According to Blake Schraader, head of technical services in the Park, the next gates to be revamped in a similar manner to the Phalaborwa gate will be Phabeni and Crocodile Bridge.
