THE South African National Parks (SANParks) has reported incidents of suspected poisoning close to the fence in the Punda Maria Section of the Kruger National Park.
Its spokesman Ike Phaahla said the matter's been referred to the police for investigation. This after rangers discovered the carcass of a buffalo which appeared to have been laced with poison.
Endangered Wildlife Trust CEO Yolan Friedmann said they also found over 100 dead vultures and a dead hyena, which likely fed off the carcass.
"With the assistance of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, 20 of the birds found next to the scene, which were still alive, were rushed to Shingwedzi and Mohololo Rehabilitation Centre for treatment.
"Given the critical status of vultures globally, poisonings at this scale places the species at increasing risk of extinction.
"The scene has been cordoned off for further investigation and the carcasses have been burnt to ensure there are no further poisonings," said Friedman.
Acting SANParks CEO Hapiloe Sello said: "We cannot afford to let our guard down and we call on law enforcement agencies outside the park to move swiftly to arrest the perpetrators."
