Lack of food forces Kruger National Park to cull its hippos

Lack of food forces Kruger National Park to cull its hippos

10 June 2016 3:42 PM

Kruger National Park's William Mabasa, says the park has culled 59 hippos so far, and intends to cull 200 buffalos as well. They simply not have enough food to feed them all.

He says there is enough water, thanks to the March rains, but it was too late for growing sufficient grass to feed the animals.

He told John Maytham that the lions and the leopards are having the best time of their life, because there's plenty food for them.

Our lions and leopards are big and fat. They don't have to go for five days without food. It is very easy for them to catch whatever prey they want.
— William Mabasa, spokesperson for the Kruger National Park

Mabasa says the culled animal meat is used at their own functions and sold to the staff.

The initial plan was to supply the local drop-in centres and feeding schemes with the meat. Unfortunately this has been put on hold because the local abattoir is not yet registered.

Listen to the full conversation below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele

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