This program, a partnership between the Kevin Richardson Foundation and Endangered Wildlife Trust, aims to combat the rife poaching and poisoning occurrences within the Greater Kruger National Park - home to the majority of the country's lions and carnivore. In recent years, these instances have rapidly increased and lions are facing severe threat. Shockingly, 15 lions were poisoned in the northern areas of the Greater Kruger in 2023 alone, having a negative impact on local lion populations.
The lions and other species of the northern Kruger National Park are under siege. This area has become a hotspot for lion poisonings over the years. Within a 42,000HA area, up to 70% of its lion populations have been lost over the past two decades. In the first three months of 2023, 13 lions were found dead from poisonings or snaring. Other animals like buffalo and vultures have also been found poisoned on mass. In one circumstance 100 vultures were found dead in one day from poisoned carcasses.
This program aims to establish a protection and response taskforce to safeguard carnivores in the area. By ensuring there are boots on the ground, monitoring of lions and carnivores, and having improved mapping data for determining poaching and snaring hotspots, the further loss of life can be mitigated. By tracking lions with satellite collars, staff on the ground are able to reach a poisoned or snared lion and administer life-saving medicine. Every snare removed also means a prevented death.
The project not only creates an effective strategy to combat poaching on an ongoing basis, but it also involves local community youth which creates job opportunities and encourages community custodianship. This will empower young people and help alleviate some of their financial strain, reducing the number of community members that turn to illegal practices such as poaching to escape their economic situation. Each intervention is a loss to poachers and a deterrence to future poisoning attempts.
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