Another herd of elephants escaped from Kruger National Park (KNP) last night, Friday October 8, between Matsulu and Numbi Gate.

KNP spokesperson Ike Phaahla confirmed that helicopter assistance was requested at sunset last night by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). But it was already too late to fly.

Photos shared earlier this morning on the SANParks Facebook page by Mark Taylor show an elephant crossing the dirt road next to the KNP fence in front of a motorcycle.

The crossing took place approximately 5 km north of Matsulu. He said that although the thickness of the bush made it difficult to assess the size of the elephant, he could confirm that three elephants had crossed the road in front of the rider.

He said the rider also saw two large bulls busy pushing the KNP fence, but they retreated into the park when they heard the sound of the motorcycle. A few, however, crossed the railway line and headed towards local villages in the bushes.

The elephants subsequently appear to have moved to an adjacent reserve instead of Matsulu, a much safer option for them. Videos of an elephant being cut into pieces with a chainsaw after wandering into Matsulu were already popular on social media.

Phaahla said the herd’s most recent detour indicated they would later return to the KNP to look for water. Helicopter assistance would not be necessary.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Elephants return to Kruger; locals disappointed by loss of ‘free meat’ opportunity

Animals baited for a cheap meal

Phaahla expressed grave concern over the role of certain factions of surrounding communities in the presence of animals that frequently escape the KNP. When rangers inspected the fence after another animal recently tried to escape from the park near local villages, they made a surprising discovery. The fence had been lined with mangoes to lure elephants out of the park and into the line of sight of poachers. He said some villagers were baiting animals and modifying fences to get cheap protein.

This is consistent with reliable information recently obtained by Lowvelder about communities surrounding the park eating elephant meat. The source shared a photo of elephant meat cooking in a pot, as well as a detailed description of the buckets filled with elephant remains on the property.

Lowvelder previously reported that KNP fences were being dismantled and parts were being sold for the construction of low-cost houses in local villages. Phaahla also confirmed this.

Phaahla also raised concerns over the brazen interference of local communities in SANParks and MTPA’s efforts to chase escaped animals back to KNP. Lowvelder has previously reported how people park their cars and dogs on roads and trails along which the animals return to the park when pushed by a helicopter. In doing so, they force animals to be slaughtered so they can get cheap meat.

Phaahla said police had limited success in crowd control when this happened.

ALSO READ: Hazyview community prevents elephants from returning to Kruger Park

An anonymous source who supports the bushmeat industry, which is said to source part of its supplies from animals poached from the KNP, said it was forced to support the trade because it could no longer afford to sell the meat sold in traditional butchers. He said the economy was tough and people were poor and hungry.

Taylor, who often speaks on the SANParks Facebook group about damaged fences and escaped animals, said he noticed well-worn human trails entering and exiting the KNP at weak points along the fence. However, he also thanked SANparks for repairing the fences as best they could, trying to combat the scourge of deliberate tampering.

He also noted that the fences were properly repaired and reinforced with stronger materials between Matsulu and Numbi Gate.

Warning: graphic content; not for sensitive viewers.

CLICK HERE: This video has recently been circulating on social media. It shows a stray elephant being hacked with a chainsaw in Matsulu.

ALSO READ: SANParks resolves Numbi to Matsulu fencing issues

@lowvelder

More and more wild animals have been spotted on the streets of Matsulu C, which neighbors the Kruger National Park. Community members say they live in fear when seeing these elephants roaming their yards and streets. They had apparently trampled a fence in the Kruger National Park and invaded the neighborhood. #Elephants #elephantsoftiktok #MTPA #Wildlife #Mbombela #Matsulu

♬ original sound – Lowveld Media – Lowveld Media